Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-11-13
The Issue i'm 1855.

The Issue I'm 1SSS.
Some weeks ago we pointed out
the fact that the Republican party
u now in position where it must
declare itself unequivocally on the
liquor question-as they falaciously
call the issue. The Prohibitionlsts
hav that party in the door, and will
m AXE it come to terms on pain OF
being crushed. Maine had to adopt
straight Prohibition, or it would have
b cen lost. The same is true of Penn
syl lvania. Massachusetts has been
saved by the same means. In lndi-
ana the Anti-saloon measure was
used as the thin edge OF the wedge.
The policy, judging by the results,
must commend itself to the Repub-
lican party. Recently in Chicago,
An A ntl-saloon convention was held,
and among those prominent in its
delib erations were Mr.. Window,
of Minnesota. He is a Republican,
and one Of SO great prominence that
he has served as United States
s enator, as Cabinet officer, and was
= candidate for nomination for the
Presidency. BY his side in this Anti
3 aloon convention sat Senator Blair.
They were the leading lights OF that
n thering. Yesterday the press dis
pa tches brought news Of a second
co invention of this sort in the city of
Chicago. Anyone who read this item
9 ould not fail to notice the close con-
ne ection the meeting bore to the Re-
pu blican party; how many prom
inent men Of that party were named
in that connection, and how frequent
reference was had to the policy and
achievements of that party. Stimuli
taneous with this comes the news OF
: circular sent from San Francisco,
and distributed at the Brooklyn
bridge and at every ferry-landing in
New York, calling for the formation
Of Native American party, and the
repeal of. all naturalization laws.
Here are the twin lines of the policy
to be pursued by the Republican
party in 1885,. Much will depend on
developments as to the precise form
che measures shall be cast in.
Tn at they will be the straight issues,
or the serviceable side-shows, cannot
be doubted. 1t is marvellous how
generally they commend themselves
to the average Republican mind, as
soon as named. Anyone can ascertain
this by an hours effort on the streets.
Anti-liquor principles in some definite
shape are more than likely to be made
part of the party platform. The
Know Nothing affair may be used
only for use as an available side
show for the time being. These, with
the tariff question, are to be thegreat
war cries of the Republicans, and it
is ON these issues they will have to be
met.
On the Know Nothing business
there is no preparation to make.
That issue was fought out once and
buried in Bill Poole's grave. The way
to deal with il is known. The action Of
the next Congress in the reform OF
present tariff abuses will do much or
little, as the case may be, in the con-
test on that question.
There is little apprehension to be
entertained on the two propositions
discussed above. The gravest diff
Guilty surrounds the Anti-liquor affair.
1t is out Of the question that the Re.
publican party should go in for
straight prohibition. 1t must be put
in the form Of an Anti-saloon meas
ure, with promise to the advocates
of straight cold water Of a more di-
roct issue in their line at future
time. Such concession would, no
donbt, be accepted as a victory by
nine tenths of all the Prohibitionists
in the country.
Now, heretofore in dealing with it
many Democrats, and intelligent
members OF the party, have been
misled by a false presentation of the
subject. In this city, by persistent
crying aloud of the fallacy that the
Democracy was making itself the
champion OF Gus Leonard and the
"Monkey Saloon" many in the party
we're blinded to the true issue. 1t
n1st not be forgotten that the CAN'T
saloon cognomen is not the true
name Of the measure. 1t does not
Stand for the object in mind. 1t is a
sneaking, cowardly form Of reaching
pkohibition. We do not mean to say
thst all Republicans have this as an
ultimate goal in view. The vast ma
jority Of the party have not that in
their mind at all. But the greater
partof Republicans are not in favor
Of the Anti-saloon measure at