New-York tribune., 1886-05-16
ANTy-SALO LOON REPUBLICANISM
A GREAT NATIONAL MOVEMENT.
THE NEw.JERsEY CONFERENCE.

To me Edtf0F OF Ihc IFtoHHes
SIR: You have already informed your readers
that preliminary meeting of Republicans was held the
day in Jersey CITY, and that it resulted in tho call
ing OF conference be held here tho Goth In
slant for the purpose OF taking measures to bring the
Republican party into line on the saoon issue Inc
movement thus begun, however promises to have re-
suits so important that TIE TRIBUNE will doubtless
desire to the fullest Information regarding 1t, and
as 1t concerns the Republican party Mt large your
columns furnish the best agency for disseminating the
facts
Tho Republican party has always been the party OF
progress aud of moral ideas Even when. some years
ago. after long tenure OF power. sefseekers seemed
to have gained control OF the organization that its
character endan gcrei. tho OF the party un-
donbtedly remained what II has always been. But by
degrees ceased divide the country
sharply issues that TO say, which politicians hai tho
COURAGE handle. At las n time has when there
seems the surface to be dearth OF national ques-
tons; when found asking what is the practical
difference between a Republican and Democrat.
All this time. however. an issue OF the first conse-
aurnco been seethng among the people 1t Is the
great Drink Question. The political power OF the ga.
looms has paryzcd politicians. but the evils due to
drink have been and put In evidence. and the
which forms the backbone Of Odume Repub
licansm has been growing moro uneasy from year to
year at the failure to grappe with this issue
ProhbltionSn is mainly secession from the Repub.
lican party. 1t has becn far brave If not
a hopeful experiment. But inasmuoh "a tho potent
influence OF the upon the labor tron bles
has quckened the public attention and emphasized the
danger drink evil while Isolated victories have
given to the prohibition movement, 1t cannot
be expected that will be abandoned that tho
ges diverted to it will be restored their former
avenues for anything less positive aud justicatory
than the adoption ofan AntiSaloon plank by the Re-
publican Iarty.
There many Republicans who do not call them
selves Prohbltlonlss yet who feel strongly every
the duty ofoppostion the saloon influence in morals
and in politics. They also realize that movement OF
The kind must be genuine to of any service. The
who met recently the m.n who are to come
together here the 2Gth, not manipulators
who seek only means of strengthening the party They
o. desire the OF the organization but their
first purpose is utilize its power at the polls and the
moral that supports it for removal for
mldible abuse; abuse which threatens government.
society. Industry, religion. with deb tsement and cor
ruptOn. These believe that the Republican
party also the natural ally and cOoperator with the
American workingncn, and that these later. though
trusting largely to Democratic assurances, have for
years been cnthrAlled TO their injury and loss by
the sinister saloon influence The disturbances which
have accompanied recent strikes traceab.
almost directly to this pernicious agency 1t is
bad beer ani whiskey that put feroci. |
ty and reckless aggrcssivness into crowds. |
ana that make ldw-brcakers OF them Eliminate the |
oon, most greva of labor would
disappear The savings OF single taken from the
till OF the rumshopkeeper would put every working
in comfort and security But the saloon is neces
sary the Democratic party. Well Let tho Demo
cratic party have the saioon
The anti-saloon Republicans hold that the time has
come settling this question They do not propose
that the party shall espouse Prohibition They propose
that 1t shall declare itself openly. fully nambsuouslJ.
az ,inst the saloon. No National policy IS demanded
Every state is 70 be left to deal in its with its
own drink question. 1t is recognized that the crcum
stances diverse. AMI thai what may succeed in
place would fail In another But all the country it
is desired that Repubcanism shall mean unfnching
and real hostility 10 the agency which exists only TO
propagate drunkenness. crime, de-titution, misery.
degradation and every condition which operat TO re-
civilization aud TO give the lie to the national pro
fcsslon of Christianity. need not be a Prohibi
ZIONIST to be anti-sdoon Republican, lie may be
Prohbitionst and see plainly that the new movement
promises for his hopes than the third party
can
1t Is sought restore the great Republican party
its original position; to make OF it the instrument
whereby moral ideas find application to revivify it
by the OF the highest Humanitarian
work that remains to be done to ennObe all its efforts
by pedgng 1t 10 the destruction OF the most gigantic EVIL
that the country to-day; bsside which all other
abuses and grievances sink gnifcance and which
has escaped political opposition under circumstances
which the more forclbly demonstrate the necessity
" making National contest against II.
The men who believe In the necessity OF making the
Republican party an Anti-Saloon party are in sense
lanatics They merely men who to a knowledge OF
politics add sensitive conscicnces. As politicians they be-
that the party mas everything to gain by taking
departure commented to it, TIL oy say that the
will at first lose votes but that 1t Will
make up them by the prompt return OF the
and Resrictonsts generally. and that IL
viii obtain new strength and popular support and
confidence by arrayng the saloon influence
against itself openly and completely. On
he oner hand they say that the rciusa
II the NewYork egislature to let the people
prohibtory amendment has disgusted the Prohibit
onists that no future promise, no pledge capable OF
evasion. will induce them 10 abandon the third party
movement That without their help IN the next Presi.
ienal election, in tho absence OF further decc-
ions. success must DO doubtful. That besides these
considerations. which are purely practical, tho sent-
mental and moral considerations weigh heavily. That
fact the Republican party this gle against
he saloons to the country and to its own reputation
md ought not to shrink from dschargng the Obligation
IL Is also felt that the drink evil is the
,reat coming issue The Republican rank and file are
becoming Impressed with this conviction aud look
dsapprova at the OF those political leaders
vi manfcsty afraid to undertake It, In the alb.
ence OF any political issue Of equal prominence and
his must tend to loosen party ties both parties
efuse to touch It, For public opinion will always make
tself felt, aud In the long always than
masses are thinking and demanding. tho masses will
later find other channels OF EXPIRE Pro-
third party movement may not yet ap
,ear very formidable bat public opinion strengthen
ng aga the power continually, and II 1t is not
yen free and practical vent 1t s liable to take tho line
least resistance. which Is the one party that dcclares
SELF openly against drink
The ARu-Saoon Republicans believe that this stu
tiOn Ia the opportunity OF tho party. The people
ripe for the acceptance OF the issue Every social
rob EN- under discussion, and tho labor question
specially. hinges this. All roads spriug from aud
eurn to IT, The drink evil Is the genesis OF Socialism
nd Anarchy. Ii crIpples thrift and Industry cOun-
eracts the best normal efforts OF democratic institu
ions, retards the assimilation OF
orrign immigration prevents work
ng classes from obtaining the benefit OF
heir opportunities. keeps up taxes by recruiting the
crime. debauches politics by putting
In office Illustrates form by making
upton profitable, paralysis the intelligence OF the
by excluding it from the management OF pubic
flrs You IN New-York know only too well what the o
oon has done for you For years your city has been
shocking example 20 the rest OF tho country because
ou have been under this detestabe yoke. You can q