Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-21


The ProhibitIonsts have been looking
over the results Of the late elections and
express the belief that they are gaining
ground. 1t is no doubt true that In a few
States t0eir vote was larger than 1t was
in 1884, but the increase was not so great
as t" he encoura ging, except to few en-
thusiasts.
There is no doubt, however. that in one
wav and another there is a stronger sem
timent throughout the country in favor of
temperance now than ever fore in the
history of the country. The anti-saoOn
movement may not amount To a great
deal, cause it is believed to be pro-
NOTED BY the Republican leaders in order
10 keep those Prohibition lists who are Re-
puolicans within the party ranks. The
Republican party doesn't dare TO favor
prohibition, because il cannot afford to
lose the good will of the liquor men. and
so it gives announcement to the anti
saloon movement, for which it does no
expect to be held respon siole by either
liquor sellers or liquor drinkers.
The most hoDeful sign of the progress
OF the tenn erance cause that has attract
ed attention lately IL that furn ished by
The labor organizations. At the Rich.
moud Convention Mr. Powderly caution
ed wOrkmen to let intoxicating liquor
alone, and 1t is about certain that if he
could have his way he would make the
promotion OF temperance one of the CHIEF
obj~cts of the Knights of Labor. He
would array the great labor organization,
| OF whieh he is the head on the side o.
temperance, and against whisky. because
t,he frmly believes that in proportion to
the growth Of temperance among work
ingmen their condition will improve.
IL is also worth recalling that in the
| late contest for Mayor in the city of New
York Henry George, the WOrkingman's
candidate, advised his followers to le,
whisky alone, for the reason that by DOM
so they would greatly Increase theft
| chances for material and social improve
| ment. WHAT temperance societies, TEN
| perance orators and temperance litera-
ture have not been able TO do for work
ngmen In the matter II temperance the,
may be able To do for themselves throu2b
their labor organizations. The chleis OF
these organizations appear to be leadIn.
their followers, so far as temperance il
concerned, in the right direction. From
them workingmen will heed advice and
even criticism which they would feel like
resenting if they came from those WIZ
occupy a different place in the social
| fabric.
There is another thing worth noticint
in this connection, and that ls, that the
| labor organizations are demanding tut
closing of sal, ons on Sunday. Even thu
anarchists, who have no respect for re-
| ligion, are demanding this. The reason
| is, that they want the day observed as a
day OF rest, and they fOresee that if it is
not gwen that CHARACTER strictly it wi /
gradually become work day. Althou b
their purpose IS neither moral nor relig-
lous, their attitude helps to pr" mote both
moral and religious reform.
While. therefore, tho Prohibition pa:ty
may not make great deal OF pr Ogress. the
cause of temperance. and even OF prohi-
bltion, may make rapid advances through
agencies which have no connection witt
and very little sympathy for that party.