The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-04-23

may be said to the contrary, their Iarty
will be brought ultimately up the point
desired, and the results sought obtained
Whether they are right or not in that do
not discuss. They are not prohibitionists
in the sense / use the term, becauserthey
put party first and prohibition next Now
/ may return to my direct definition of a
prohibitionist-as one who believes in the
suppression by law of the traffic III strong
drink and who works as a citizen to effect
that end. Perhaps you may be IN criti.
cal mood and wish l would change that
definition by inserting a single word-''di-
rectly." Why not say one who works
"directly" to effect that end? l will note
the exception and show you later why. l
cannot grant it.
If repeat myself over and again tonight,
consider that l am trying to make clear 10
you what may be very hazy. what is hazy
to hundreds and thousands, all about. A
Prohibitionist then believes in suppyoSsiag,
not regulating, the drink traffic. He be-
lieves in doing it By lac, as well as by
moral suasion. He believes in working us
citizen, that is voting to effect that end.
| cannot say directly" for reasons later
to be given.
1T was aiming TO make you Prohibi,
honists tonight, l should present series
of reasons, according to my best ability
leading up toand stopping at that definition.
| should aim to plant you on that principle
If were To- go beyond that and tell YOU
what kind of prohibitionists to be, it
would be different question. Under this
definition | could call on you to range
yourself with God against the saloon, |
could exhort you to stand for the home
and the church, could call upon you TO
make no compromise with wrong in any
form;l should stand on the everlasting prin-
ciple of Gods law and love, and say down
with the destroyer of millions, down with
the enemy of the bone and the land-the
traffic in strong drink. could say to YOU
all, pray for this desired end, down on
your bended knees and plead Heaven to
remove this evil, and then you citizens, up
and by voice and vote, act as you pray;
all that would be proper and right, and
essential, and wise, if l were trying to
show you why you WHY you should be
pronibitionist and what it meant to be
prohibitionist.
Prohibitionists, having become such, for
some TO them) satisfactory reason; that is,
having accepted the principle of prohibition
and consecrated themselves to it, they meet
a new question. Hoac execute that purpose?
BY what political action shall as a pro-
hibitionist, pursue the purpose of my
heart and mind? 1t is entirely analogous
to the question which confronts christian
as he enters his christian life. He has de.
cided to live a christian life. Now, he says
what shall be my course of procedure?
What church shall / unite with? Shall /
unite with any or not? How can / most
efficiently do my purposed work? fl is
true that the analogy ceases with the prin-
ciple, It's because the consensus of
christian churches recognizes each of the
christian denominations as being christian.
Will the prohibitionists do the same? Now
the bitionists-remember who are in
cluded and excluded in my definiton-the
prohibitionists are found to be divided
into two classes-the political and the Leg
islatice.
Once really, and intelligently converted
to prohibition, man must next ask, which
of these should / affiliate with? and why?
What policy shall Ipursue? Policy? But
can policy enter where all is principle?
Think it not strange If / reply by policy is
meant only the method of executing pur-
pose.
One here tonight, let us suppose, pur
poses studying for the ministry; may say
to him, what IS your purpose? "Why, the
ministry he says. Yes, but what policy
do you propose? "Policy2 why sir, its
principle" Well then, what course have
you marked out? what is your plan or
method of action? how do you propose
getting there? You are a prohibitionist
prohibition is your PRINCIPLE, what is
your poIicy-you plan, your method.
How-How.
When you converse with men about the
why-when you try and make men adopt
the principle ofprohibition-appeal to their
feelings let the tears START talk of God,
and right and principle, but when yuu at
tempt to answer the question-"How shall
a man act, to be most effective in bringing
to pass his designs?" then talk TO mems
judgment. Then may they be be as cold
as polished icicles. 1t is not time for fer.
vor to hide fact, or for frenzy TO run men
into rashness. 1t is not time to dcnounce
the traffic in strong drink, and pile up be-
wildering statistics, simply show that pro-
bibition Is the best method.
Prohibition Is already accepted as more
infinitely more than method-'tis prn-