New-York tribune., 1886-07-14
scheme intended to increase the power OF the
Public Works Department
ANTESALOONISM IN MASSACHUSETTS,.

ANTLSlLOONISM IN SSACHUSETTS.
The Republican meeting in Boston to empha-
size the temperance sentiment of large element
in the party has .tsu'!,d III the al rtion OF
rcsJ. ntions fwoing tie submission to the
people of prOhibtOry constitutional amend
ment. The Prohibition wing, which was present.
prudently accepted the prevailing view OF what
was most judiclous to be done. There can DC
no doubt that this action Is significant, and that
ii points to coming extension OF the demand
for temperance measures within the Republican
party which the politicians everywhere VIII
be compelled to recognize and respond u.
1t is to be observed that the Anti-S;loOn move
mcnt is not the work of this class, and the fact
is important The charge made by the Pro-
hibion organs, that it has been started merely
to hoodwink the friends Of Temperance, cannot
bc sustained for the reason that the promoters
of the movement are not Of1ice-seekers, Dut lol
the most part business and professional men,
who have become tired of waiting for the pol
iticians to move in the matter, and have at
length determined to apply an impetus to them
In fact the analysis of the new movement
shows that it is one to obtain what the Pro-
hibtionists want, but in a common sense,
practical way which promises far better results
than the third-party men can ever reach. lhc
latter assert that nothing less than the COM
rlctc stoppage of the drink traffic will satisfy
them; but in the act of anakng this assertion
they so cast their votes that Ill their political
influence goes to building up the Democratic
paIty, which is the great champion and buttress
cf the drink traffic. Nothing is palmer than
the fact that a third-party Prohibition move
ment must help the Democrats. in many IN
stances il can only have the effect OF literally
making all temperance reform hopeless foi
wears. In all cases it must delay such reform
and encourage its enemies This being SO
nothing can be more pervcrsc and Irrational
than the pIetence that those who insist on
helping the friends of whiskey are the only
trustworthy friends of temperance. The SIM
pie truth is that all these people are confound-
ing talk with action and while they talk one
way they act in another. 1t Is certain that
without the help of one of the great parties
tllele can be no temperance reform 1t Is
equally certain that no such help Is to be had
from the Democratic party. The case, there
fore. is obviously one III which all the tosn-
perance influence available ought to be organ
lied for appliance to the Republican party,
since progress can be made through that party
alone.
This is the view taken by the Boston Repub-
cans who have put in motion the Antl-Saloon
movement. 1t is said, and perhaps tluly,
that the politicians do not SympathIze with the
movement. They are always fearful OF NOV
ing ancient landmarks and trying new expert
mcntS, and that is why at intervals it become,
necessary to electIify them with convincing
proof that public opinion has gone forward.
If they cannot rise to the occasion they VIII
have to step down and out. 1t is pubic opinion
which is being forced upon their attention now,
however, and they will neglect it at their peril,
but not at tie peril of the Republican party.
All he:utav and genuine Ictolm originates Ill
tins way within the panty, that Is to say. Re-
forms adopted in response TO pressure from
without are seldom urged with enthusiasm or
eainestness bat changes for the better lIoln
within are real changes and are followed by
pclmanent gains. The Massachusetts Pro-
hibitionists have now not shadow OF excuse
for maintaining the third-party Illusion 1t
has been made plain to them that the way to
guide the Republican party into thc advocacy
Of Temperance measures is clear. No doubt
the Boston Conference will give a fresh stim-
illus to the Anti-S.loon movement Throughout
the country, and tend 20 convince doubtcrs
that there is going TO be "A good deal OF
oLnNyer after all