The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-08-14
Senator Cameron on Prohibition.

3s>ue Is upon Us and we must meet 1t.
mere is strong public sentiment
that way in the State in both parties.
4 am not talking about the Prohibi-
tion vote, because that is very small
part of the vote in a great State like
pennsylvania. / refer to the voters
Who vote the Republican and Demo-
ffallc tickets, but who think that
xnme action should be taken to give
The people an opportunity to declare
their position. Now, mind me, |
don't believe in any ultra or high
landed proceedings, but a square
Opposition, which the people clearly
and can intelligently vote
s6Son."
swell. Senator, what do you think
of an amendment to the Constitu-
ti0n ?"
THAT is the only way to bring the
subject hirly before the people.
Legislation under such a provision
in the constitution would have the
voice of the people at the back of it.
Legislation without recognition is
mostly political clap.trap to win
votes. We see in the State persons
posing for office on a Prohibition
ticket whose recent conversion and
political antecedents | should think
would not meet with very hearty
support from the cause nor from the
leaders who have beeu ZpalOusly
working it up for years. | am salts
fed that they will do rchibition no
good. There are men in the state
who are consistent in their efforts.
They are not doing it for Office, but
on a phiauthrOpic effort to benefit
their fellow creatures, | am not IA
straight-laced Prohibitionist and
never pretend to be. | do not want
to abridge the rights of anybody, but
we've got this thing to meet aud
am going to do all can to meet it
impartially. Can't do more than
that"
mot very conveniently. But how
will it affect the liquor interests ?"
"Well, one thing that impressed
me more than anything else lately
was representative liquor men TAX
ing hand in this thing themselves.
Pennsylvania always has been grea t
State for moulding important pOliti-
cal issues, and I believe she's going to
do it now. The liquor men had their
convention and decided to protect
their vested rights and interests
against summary methods. We
find their leaders, however, instead
of obstructing really encouraging fair
steps towards regulating the sale or
use of intoxicating liquors. Now we
will see whether the Prohihiti0nists
will be as liberal. l say let the ex-
tremes get together with the people
and they will settle the question
quickly enough both morally and
politically.
"The question will come up with
greater force in the ma Onal cam
paign of 1883. Pennsylvania now
has chance TO formulate that issue
in shape so that instead of adding
to the confu ION Of parties it will
simplify the issue. The old Aboli
ZIONIST party did more harm than
good, in a certain sense, until all the
elements in opposition to the Demo
cratic party, dominated by Southern
shareholders, formed a union. 1t was
not long before the Democrats were
driven to the rear. That will he the
experience of the Prohibition party
/ don't think anybody regrets the re-.
suits of the success of the coalesced
parties of 1860 and the achievements
VI liiO loCpuOiiCoh OoitJ oihNO' L hN
Southern leaders, if 1 know them
would not put their States. back where
they were during the bitter antagon
isms between Southern STAKEHOLDER,
and Northern Doughfaces ard Abol
itionists and Black Republicans thir
ty years ago, The world moves and
the mass of the American people
with it,"
"What will be the outcome of th'
Prohibition movement"
1--WE get light as we move along
/ think Prohibition doctrines and th'
practical methods Of carrying then
out are yet in their crude stage. l
will doubtless succeed, hut in a very
different shape from which we Low
understand it. The difference in ih'
rebellion was the people went to wa
about their pet doctrine. If the re
bellion had been put down in the frs
year believe every Shareholder il
the South would haYe been reimburs
ed. But the pr0traction of the war
the sacrifice of lives and treasure pre-
vented such desirable solution n
] Al G..I.