Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-30
Words of Friendly Warning.

Words of Friendly Warning.
Editor of the Kennebec Journal:
J Permit one VINO has been deeply interested
in Temperance for more than halt a century
and who has voted for Prohibition whenever
he has had ap opportunity to do so. beginning
with the first W for the suppression of the
dram shops passed in this State nearly thirty
five years ago, to express his views on the
present aspect and needs of the Temperance
cause. What have to say in these lines is
dictated by earnest sincerity and many years
of humble 0bser vaton and experience. The
writer asks those 10 doubt as to their future
course of action, or inclined to give their adj
hesion to the st. Johns or third party move
ment calmly to slider the following few
words of friendly warning. Reflection
must convince you that the complete union
of all real friends of Temperance is the pres
ent great duty and necessity, without which
success is impossible. In the past vast
amount of energy aud effort have been fritz
tered away and lost BY fractional divisions and
the attempts of incompetent persons to lead
in great cause. A line Of action is absolutely
necessary which shall enable all the friends of
Temperance to act together. Our objection
to the third party movement is that it is en-
trely unnecessary. Worse, it causes divis-
ion and distraction in the Temperance ranks
and effectively serves the cause of the enemy.
! The unity of the dram shops will be irresisti-
BILE whenever and wherever their opponents
are divided. What possible good can be
gained by third party in Maine? Every
real advance of the Prohbitory cause thus
far made in this State has been by the Coop
Grafton of all the friends Of Temperance. 1t
was thus that the law was originally passed.
by the Legislature, was ratified at a later date
by the people at the polls, and the Prohbito.
nv amendment of the Constitution was suisse
quently made. But some of you now say
that you must have new political party or
ganzed to execute the law. A fatal error an
impracticable contention. The prohibtory
law must be executed precisely as other laws
are executed, by sworn officers, through the
regular proceedings of the courts, aided by
the efforts of self sacrificing private citizens.
To maintain thG. the Prohibitory law must be
supported bv extraordinary expedents, by
exceptional means, is to defame it and stab
it at a vital spot. The friends of Temperance
demanded that liquors selling should
be made penal offense like larceny
and counterfeiting This was done, and the
dram-shop criminal has now turned against
him tn /, door and key of the prison cell You
do not ask that there shall be organized a
political party for the purpose of executing
the law against the thief and the counter
feiter. The Legislature makes adultery a
penal offense. All adulterers are not sent to
prison as they should be, or banished to some
desolate island in mid ocean. Some of them
still brazenly lit their heads high in public
places in scorn of law and common decency
| Do you or any sane persons insist on the for
nation of a new political party for the pur-
pose of executing the law against adulterers?
If you would keep the liquor traffic in the
category of other crimes, it must be dealt
with as other crimes are dealt with, and
through the established agencies and machine
~ of the laws. There are two effective wavs
to aid the liquor dealers aud to weaken and
clog the cause of Prohibition. One is to act
openly in their interest and to stand boldly in
thei line of battle. The other is to act among
the friends of Temperance, but 10 such man.
ner as to cause faction and division. The
latter is more effective service to the liquor
traffic than the former, though it is often the
| work of misguided friends of good cause.
II is a fact too often repeated, that an unwise
friend is far more injurious than an avowed
enemy. the thoughtful patriot always gives
his first attention to the nearest and most
pressing danger. The present imperative
need of the friends of Prohibition is union
To divide in the presence of the enemy is to
trife with sacred cause. 1t is worse-it is
has secured prohibitory law it has been by
the united action of all the friends of Prohib-
ton. 1t was thus that the law was secured
| in Maine, Vermont, Iowa. Kansas and Rhode
Island. In every state where the third party
has gained much prominence, there the cause
of Prohibition has suffered defeat aud per-
manent injury. From the days of Patrick
Henry to this hour all safe political action in
this country has been largely guided by the
lamp of experience. The writer of these lines
observes that, with rare exceptions, 10 Maine
the older and long tried friends of Pr Inhibition.
and nearly all of those who voted for the
Constitutional amendment, hold aloof from
| the third party movement, regarding it not
only unnecessary, but positively injurious,
just to the extent that it beguiles sincere
friend of Prohibition to give it support.
There are the most complete proofs that the
most astute supporters and managers of the
| liquor traffic are pleased with the ST. Johns
party and hope it will become q powerful
wedge to split in twain the friends of Prohibi-
ton and render them powerless in the nation.
To divide and conquer is their motto.
Shall they be disappointed?
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