The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-16
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
That Temperance Convention.


To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal.
There has not been political movement in
Indiana for years which promises better than
the temperance convention called for the goth OF
July, to be held in the Grand Opera house.
say it promises we'll 1t is the better element OF
political party rising to the level of popular
and honest demand for legislation against an in
solent and growing evil. The temperance issue
is live and vital question in the State of In
diana to-day The tide is rising in favor of
some specific legislation. This convention is
called TO diagnose the
what ought TO be done and what is both
practicable and practicalP will come before that
convention. We are confronted with the fact
that the liquor men united, organized and in
earnest; determined to influence legislation in
their own behalf by any means foul fair.
They begin in the primaries and make them
selves felt at every turn until election. They
enter the legislative hall, and by the of gold
and intimidation they secure their immoral
ends. And even judicial ermine is scented with
the baneful influence of alcoholism in too many
cases.
Is it not time that the antiliquor men were
uniting against these evil, immoral and dsloyal
forces which are defying law, both civil and
morals Should the friends of temperance unite
in this country upon some settled policy, the
matter would soon be disposed Of But small
per cent of our citizens interested in egisla-
tion in favor of the liquor interests. A
handful of men have outgeneraled an
army. It is shame and dis
many people that this growing sentiment in
favor of a. reasonable control of the liquor
traffic must find expression through a political
party. Many are of the opinion. also, that the
third party increment has succeeded in playing
willing to join party which has been more no.
table for fanaticism than wisdom. What re-
mains to be done2 Evidently, the ref
ormation and the forward movement must
be within the parties already in existence.
There is covering up the fact that both the
Democratic and Republican parties have too
often pandered to the liquor Interests. Thou
sands of voters have grown tired of this.
A large number of leading Republicans pro
pose now that their party shall prove true to its
history. 1t rebuked rebellion. it freed the slave
it reconstructed the South, it gave us sound
currency, :. it paid off the national debt
with rapidity that made nations
wonder, it perfected our mail sys-
and protected the citizen in the exercise of
most generous freedom. Under its administra-
ton our Nation gained unbounded respect
abroad. Will this party prove recreant to its
pasts 1t has been party whose mission was to
prosecute great reforms The Republican party
is nothing without moral principle 1t is not
composed of those cohesive qualities which hold
except when inspired with an idea 1t has
been COMPOSED of too many men of intelligence
and independent morality to retain
its autonomy when found to be counting the
courtezan called the liquor traffic. A party can
not long be in power in our Republic which ex
lists for the spoils and invites in the heather,
with their gods. 20 share the plumber.
To refuse to take hold of the temperance
question and TO stand upon a reasonable tenn
perance platform is to lose large delegation of
voters. TO prove the party unworthy of conf
dence and to be without mission. To take
up the question is to lose a number
of voters who belong to the party only because
it will pander to their illicit desires. To accept
the issue is to lose the rumites. To refuse the
issue is to lose that class of men who gave the
party character when in it's prime.
1t remains to be seen what will be done. Every
man who loves home, country and principle
ought to be on the side of temperance, and
every right-thinking Republican ought to do
what he can to help this temperance movement.
JULY Is, 1886. r. V. HUNTER