The Indianapolis journal., 1886-04-12
Temperance LeeisIation.

TO the Editor of the Indianapolis Jou rnal:
III Has Indiana any local-option law since
the repeal of the Baxter law9 If not, how are
we TO go about getting such law but by amend
ing our State Constitution as l understand that
the Baxter law was pronounced unconstitutional
III If we had a local option law, would it pro-
hibit or check the liquor traffic any more than
would law that the Prohibitionists are striving
after, or as mucha There are many temperance
men in the Republican party like myself-have
believed and lived in hope that the grand old
party" would, before it too late, declare in
favor of and adopt the temperance cause SO that
we and the third party, Prohibitionists, could
Join hands and work together in harmony, and
have only two parties in the field. And this is why
We have submitted to stay and work with
the Republicans so long as we have. But we
see but little if any grounds for such hope any
longer, and we are almost discouraged about our
leaders ever ceasing to court the favor of the
liquor league for fear they will lose few votes
And we believe that If there is not something
done, and that soon, in way that we can all
work together, the Republican party is doomed
to everlasting defeat, for the temperance men
are getting in earnest Yet we have been. and
still are cautious about running out into wild
fauatacism. We stand open to conviction,
ready to do the right thing as fast rs 1t is made
manifest what Is right for us to do We all
given equal rights before the law; that we have
the best government we ever had; the best
paper currency, etc, under the same rule,
and that Is why we yet regret to leave the Re-
publican party. But we think the temperance
cause is unnecessarily suffering account of the
apathy Of so many professed temperance men,
both in the Republican and Democratic parties.
If the temperance men would all work together
we have not the least doubt but that we could
hold the regns of the government as it is, and so
cripple the manufacture of, and the trade In IL
quor as a beverage, that it would save much suf-
fering that il now causes.
Let us have the minds Of some, il not all our
most influential leaders on the subject. For in
union there is strength; but divided we fall
Too reticent. too silent On the temperance
question, the Republican party is, for its own
good. Let us declare either in favor or against
the temperance cause, then it is easy understood
where we stand.
have not as much influence as some men, bu,
nv vote counts one. And have, ever since its
organization, voted the straight Republican
ticket and never scratched the ticket except in
for township trustee made too free use of intoxi
eating liquors at times. The Republicans of the
little State of Rhode Island have been in the
ascendency so long that they, / suppose, fell
safe in keeping silent the temperance ques
ton in their late convention. And it stirred ny
the Prohibitionists, am told. to greater earnest
ness and diligence in their cause. And 1t is fas
coming to that here in own State. and wt
Republicans would do well to take heed in time
IL we would save our laurels.
We notice that some of our would be leaders
are advocating local option. But we think tha
Ia as far off as prohibition, and fear that they
throw this out as q blind TO catch votes. an
not opposed TO taxing all liquors as any Other
property. But high license TO sell them as Q