The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-08-05
A WARMING TO pRoHIBITIoNIsTs.

A WARNING TO PROHIBITIONISTS.
In the effort of the prohibitionists to
make their movement assume either dis
tinctively a moral or political aspect
several very essential mistakes are over
looked; mistakes amounting to ruinOus
errors. If alone depending on moral
aim, the answer comes, that religion has
been recognized, and chartered by our
constitution as having full jurisdiction
over matters strictly moral and pertain
ing to its high calling. And it is to this
court they must nave redress to obtain
that reclamation, in fact and spirit, that
is necessary to the full attainment of their
ambition. For the end of government is
not morality. This is only dictated by
governmental action when the violation
of morality is also an overt act in defiance
of existing statutory or common law-and
never strictly to conserve the ends of NOR
atty, per SO. government having for
is one end the establishment of morality,
would not be government according to
the general acceptation and application
of that term Government is manifold
as expressed in our constitution its object
is to form a perfect union and generally
to secure the blessings of liberty to us and
our posterity. Then, to narrow its powers
down to simply the enforcement of a GER
tain ethical code would be to deprive it of
its very life-givlng functions. But behind
this constitutional view, stands the practi
cal question, as a moral measure could
prohibition obtain T? The facts stare US
in the face, that the vast preponderance
of people are not Christians or even moral
persons, so strong in their convictions as
to become prohibitionists; the vast ma
jority of this world oppose every moral
issue. As moral question simply, pro-
hibition can never hope for success.
Again, in allying themselves with any
political party, these prohibitionists strike
at their own hopes of success the most
fatal blow. Party lines are drawn from
no moral standpoint. Men, the purest
and most defiled, are found facing each
other on either side the line dividing
our nation into two great parties. Which
party should then be chosen, Or being Sc
lected which would give the best support?
Advocates of prohibition are found in
both parties, and no test has shown in
which they predominant. Does not, then,
a choice in its very inception foreshadow
a suspicionY 1t is known that very many
of the leaders of the prohibition move
ment are disappointed politicians, who
would gladly gain preferment at the ex-
pense of any cause-state, national or
moral. And the fact that under sue h lead
ership coalition is made with one of the
parties now so evenly balanced, calls to
reflection, if not to positive suspicion, of
foul play.
Every interest, every hope of success OF
prohibition, depends on keeping the
straight and narrow course between these
impending rocks-morality and politics
The government can only take cegnizance
of the question as the general good, peace
prosperity and economy are concerned
Politics will wither with its blighting
breath, by creating suspicious and in
citing enemies, that erstwhile might hav,
been strong friends. Prohibition, If
ever comes, as its champions hope, mus
be thing of slow and careful growth
yeast leavening the people, and through
the masses impressing the government
1t is growth that cannot be hurried, an
a growth whose tendency can be easil
turned to ruinous calamities.