Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-08-11
The Third Party.
| Rockland Free Press.


Once more we are called to see, as we
have several times within the last twenty-five
years, a third party organized in this State to
take part in the fail campaign, under the
style and pretext of prohibition party. Like
previous movements of the same kind, this
will doubtless be barren of good results, on
ly affording way for few sincere but
misguided persons to take their votes from a
party where they might do good and have
influence, to be cast with those of a small
body of disappointed, shifty politicians and
demagogues whose action will express their
impotent spleen. But also like previous
movements of the same kind, this will be
injurious to the cause it processes to uphold
How many prohibitionist votes are there in
Maine do you suppose? We say 10 600,
half the highest number ordina-
rly voting. Forty or fifty thou
sand of these adhering to the re-
publican party, have been able to shape the
| course of 10000 for many years. Detach
ten thousand of them to form a prohibition
party and what would be the consequences?
| Clearly enough We should have the democrats
in control of affairs, and that would end the
enforcement of prohibition if not the exist
ence of prohibtory laws. But fortunately
not half that number of imprscticable proh-
biti0nists have ever been found in Maine, and
there is no indication that the organization
now being set up will attain even the num-
Der of some former years. But the pity of
the thing is that If sucn a party draws to it
self ever so small number of well meaning
men, it separates them from the larger body
of prohibitionists who remain, lessening the
N and fptfpntiya Influence NJ ha latt
! element, and throwing away their own en-
,irely. The withdrawal also arouses a sense
of injustice and want of confidence which is
paraiyzing instead of vitalizing to the cause
| of temperance. The setting up of candi-
date tor Congress in the second district as a
prOhibitionist, to run against Hon. Nelson
Dingley, illustrates the unreasonableness of
the new movement. Mr.. Dingey is known
throughout the country as ever an earnest
and energetic worker in the cause of prohi-
bltion. tie is an able and influential men,
Der of Congress. What would be gained TO
temperance or any other cause by substituting
an unknown man for Mr.. Dingley? Mr..
Bodwell is practical temperance man and
friend of prohibition. Whatwould be gained
were the impracticables to defeat him ?
Surely nothing would be accomplished but
loss to the cause. Every prohibitionist re-
publican who cohsceniiously desires to put
his vote where it will best serve prohibition,
should give it to the republican candidates.
That party, even down to the last legislature,
has responded to every reasonable dem
| for legislation. and whatever the small body
of malcontents may do or say, it is the only
effective stay of prohbitory laws in the State.
| Localities fail to enforce the laws from va
rious causes. But it is not on account Of the
failure of the republican party to establish
all needful laws nor is it because its govern
| ing majority do not sincerely desire the law
| to be given effect.