The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-06-04

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Against the Saloon.
We give below the address of the Re-
publican Temperance Conference held at
Trenton last week. The address opens
with a review of the record Of the party on
moral questions in years past and proceeds.
The mission of the party is not yet full
filled. IFS responsibilities have not ceased,
its duties are not all discharged 1t should,
hitherto, readily and rcsolutely undertake
any new task and assume any fresh duty,
which the exigencics of the times, and
due regard for the public welfare may inn
pose upon it. We believe that such q
task, involving an imperative duty, now
awaits the action of the Republican party
of the country IL is that Of antagonizing
the power, influence and evil work of the
organized liquor saloon interest, and OF en-
deavoring by all legitimate means and
agencies to restrict within the narrowest
possible limits the traffic in Intoxicating
drinks, and to minimize the evil of intern
perance We need not either assert, or at
tempt to prove that intcmperance is an
evil; that is admitted; it is conceded by all
right-thinking, intelligent citizens that in
temperance is the conspicuous, the colossal
curse of society; it is the prolific source OF
poverty and pauperism, the breeder OF and
stimulant to crime, the waster and de-
yourer of individual and national wealth,
the blight of honest industry, the disor-
ganzer and destroyer of the peace and
purity of the home, the antagonist Of re-
iieion. the foe OF law and order, the enemy
OF good government.
Against such an evil, and amy power or
organization which champions or sustains
it, the Republican party should assume
and avow an attitude of positive, uncom-
promising hostility Such action on the
part of the Republican party is demanded,
in the interest of sound and safe public
economy, the conservation OF our best and
most cherished free institutions, the moral
well-being OF our individual and associat-
ed citizenship. and the preservation, pur
itv and peace OF the American home, which
is the foundation of all that patriotism has
here established valor defended, and wise
craftsmanship and good government per-
petuated.
The Republican party will be justified
in taking this position as political Or
ganization, and in maintaining it by polit-
ical aetion--because the liquor-saloon
power of the country has injected itself
into, and made itself a potent factor in,
politics. local. state and national, and be
CAUSE tlltlt - NV ftlly liOlitittta VI
organization in existence, other than the
Republican party, which is able to cope
with this evil power, with the hope or
prospect of success The liquor saloon
power is an active and pernicious political
agency and its presence is well nigh all
prevailing. 1t thrusts itself constantly
and cohspicuously into notice in the polit-
ical activities of the country. 1t controls,
in many instances, our local and munici-
pal elections; it often reigns supreme IN
the party caucus; it dictates or forblds
party nominations; it yields its democrat
izing influence at the ballot box. BY its
own political activity it challenges opposi-
ton and invites attack. Let it be met on
the field itself has chosen
We, therefore, as members of the Repub-
lcan party of New Jersey and of the
United States, in conference assembled, de
clare:
That all existing laws and ordinances de
signed and enacted for the regulation, restT1c-
ton or suppression, OF the traffic in 1ntoNlcat-
ing drinks, should be impaltially ana Tlsof,
orsly enforced, so long rs they remain laws !;
Whenever experience and wisdom Indicate
That these laws are unwise or Ineffective they
should be amended or repealed.
. That all questions relating 10 legislation,
or constitutional provision, for the governing,
restricting, or suppressing, OF the trafhe IN m
toXicating drinks, should whenever the pop
ular voice demands il, be submitted TO the
popular Judgment and decision ut the ballot
box and The people of each state, or commu-
nity, should determine for themselves, Wheth-
er they will permit or authorize the lquof
traffic within their jurisdiction and under
what conditions and limitations; We, therefore,
regard as erroneous ana unioftuhlte my re-
cent decision OF the House of Assembly OF New
Jersey, which denied to the people OF the seY.
eral communities in this state the privilege OF
accepting or rejecting the local option law.
3 That il is neither wise, practical or neces-
sarv to insist that legislation ON this subject
~ Ia, restricted to the total DrOhllltiDn OF
the liquor traffic: we equally approve ana
favor The strict enforcement ana execution or
all existing laws, designed to restrict the evils
of intenperance, the granting OF local option.
the establishment of the highest possible iate
OF license, on tax, for the SAFE OF nquofs Mneir
licenses are granted or taxes imposcd-beilcN-
ing that the free choice of all these methods
should be made available, and that only by ac-
tual experiment and practlcA ill;tl can IL pc
determined what method of combating the
evil and ettectng reform will he most benei-
cial.
nOsitiVe platform of principle and purpose OF
opposition to the liquor traffic ana ITS organ
lied political power and agency, ana 70 the
evils of intempelancc, for whose existence ana
continuance they are in Il large degree feSlhi-
sible, all sincere and earnest RepnblleanS can
and should stand and unite 10 make the power
of the Republican party fell rs an agency IN
nlncfical re form The Republican party docs
not need the help Of any alliance with the
iiouor saloon, 10 give ii either character,
strength or success. The country docs hecu
the powerful aid of the Republican party
in the combat with the pernieions influence,
the corruptng political agency, The blghting
curse OF the liquor saloon. We, therefore, ~
members of the Republican party appeal 70
t.II our associates and co-workers in that party
in New Jersey, those who hive shared Wlih US
in lis honors and trinmphs, and ieit lnsl
pride in the achievements Of the organization,
10 unite with III in an effort TO place the party
in tho right, the ilnpregunbiei The strong posi-
tion on this vitality important issue. 70 TINS
end we ask that appropriate action be taken IN
all Republican local organizations eiunN anu
conmittees and in municipal, county and
state conventions, that the party action on
This question may pc made harmonious and
effective
We also appeal to oarbrethein 81 he itenHe'
lcnn PARTY III All the other states 81 the mon;
asking their concurrence ia onf views anu
nnrnoSe and their corporation in this effort
10 giyc s'ihc grand old party an impetus ~
The interest OF righteous reform, OF Good gov