St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-09-25
FIRM FOR PROHIBITION.
How the MethOdisEs Way Give Min.
nesOta TO the Democrats.
II G10bo


WASHINGTON, Sept. 22.-The recent
action Of the Methodist church, through the
ecclesiastical organ, the Christian Advocate,
is exciting great deal of comment. The
Methodist church is great factor in ma
tioual affairs. or can be when it chooses to
be. The action of the church in coming
out so fat-footed for prohibition is regarded
as having national significance. There
are not less than 700, 900 voting members
of the church; and if they should combine
with the prohibition movement the queS-
ton of county, state, and national elections
would be so confused that predictions and
demonstrations would be useless, or inl-
possible. 1t would upset all political cal
culations, and make forecasts by both par
ties futile. In New York state alone there
are As, 600 voters belonging to the Methodist
church. Such power as that would more
than balance the political deStinleS of the
state between the two parties. In the
smaller State of Massachusetts there are
nearly IS, 900 Methodist voters. Their bal
ance of power would be absolute. 1t could
not be withstood. 1t is generally admitted
that the prohibition movement draws its
strength largely from the Republican party.
There are more than 10, 900
METHODIST VOTERS
in Minnesota. They will hold the balance
of power, if they will all unite with the
other ProhbitioniSts. But, as between the
Prohibitionists and the Republican party,
it is not only possible, but it is more than
likely that the Democratic party is pre-
destined to win in the state this year by the
assistance of the religioniStS who deny the
doctrine of REORGANIZATION. The fact that
the laboring vote will be cast almost Solidly
for Ames, connected with this authoritative
departure of the Methodist from the Re-
publican party, makes it almost certainty
that the Democratic state ticket will be
elected by an overwhelming majority.
Moreover, it is to be expected that the
Methodist clergy, the best off-hand speak
erS in the clerical profession, will be busy
all the time delivering political orationS in
stead of sermons. If the church officially
believes in prohibition and is in earnest, her
preachers will do yeoman service for the
cause which they champion. Nothing has
been so alarming to the Republican politi-
clans since Mr.. Conkling
REVIEWED THE TAMMANY PARADE
as this new departure of the Methodists.
Worse still; it is alleged that the same man
who witnessed and assisted in the defeat of
the Republican party for its ingratitude to
him, has been mainly instrumental in pro-
ducing this religious interdict upon the
saloon element, and Indirectly at the Re-
publican party. 1t is alleged that Mr..
Conkling believed that the recent election
in Maine presaged more possible preferment
for Mr.. Blaine; and he Immediately pro-
ceeded to convince the church that it should
pronounce for prohibition. The matter did
not grow up at this time without some
great motive power behind the throne. 1t
is openly asserted and generally believed
that the ex-senator has been eloquently
preaching to the preachers. At any rate,
he has made it Impossible for Mr.. Blaine or
any other Republican to be elected in 1888;
and has more than likely changed the COM
plexion of the United States senate. 1t is
a great coup d'etat. worthy of the great
New Yorker. No one will regret the ac-
ton of the church, except the rabid and
radical Republicans.