New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-09
THE 1NTI-sALOoN CONVENTION

The Ant-Saloon Convention at Binghamton
has given conclusive proof of the sincerity OF
its convictions and the integrity Of its purpose.
In refusing to adopt the suggestions of General
Conway it showed itself strong enough 10 with
stand temptation which would have been ire
sistible to body of professional politicians, and
which would, moreover, have appeared to the
latter in the light Of cogent arguments. Gen
era Conway's platform was IN fact touchstonc
which determined the real character of the con-
vention Had it been composed, as the Prohlb-
ton and Mugwump organs desire TO create the
belief, of mere shrewd wirepullcrs masquerad-
ing in temperance guise for partisan effect, the
proposal to innlrc the ProhibtioniSts by charg-
ing their leaders with vcnality would have
caught them at once. Not being that KIND OF
men they said 4" We do not want to attack any
other temperance movement We are here TO
show that there are men who believe at once In
temperance and Rcpublicanism. and who hold
that the only way to get prohibition is to make
the Republican party identify itself with tenn
perance measures"
That is a perfectly definite and ineligible
position. and it is as honest and as rational as
that Of the extremists, to say the least. The
ton, moreover, fully carries out the views set
forth in the preliminary discussion. 1t is an
embodiment of Republican temperance opinion
in the State of NewY York, and as such 1t is en-
titled to respectful consideration. The names
Of the men who framed and adopted this plat
form are full guarantees for their eanestncSs
ard for their representative character. They
speak for the most rapidly growing element OF
The time the element, namely, which believes
d he saloon in politics to be the worst abuse OF
the age and country, and which tends more and
more to subordinate all other issues TO this one.
When such men say that they mean to use all
their influence TO compel the adoption of this
issue by the Republican party, the significance
of the movement becomes apparent For they
represent a great and pcrvadlng political In
iuence, and what is of most consequence they
represent political influence the strength OF
which is increasing day by day.
This too, IS merely the action Of one State.
Ii is true that State is New York. and the en-
phatc line taken at Blnghamton must react
upon the forthcoming Chicago National Con-
ference. What is sought, and what promises to
he sought successfully, III the Anh-Saloon
is the unllcaton OF the temperance
iment of the country in and through the
Republican organization. The tendency of the
Prohi bitionists for some time has been to sac
ifce all hope of relief measures to desire for
revenge. Because some Republican politicians
of narrow mind and loose principles have de-
cciycd them, they want to kill the Republican
party, ignoring the fact that they can only do
this by establishing in power all the anthem
pcrance clements in the country. The supper
lcrs If the Anti-Saloon movement perceive the
futility of this kind Of suicidal warfare, and
realize the importance for temperance OF
securing control Of the Republican organ
ration the only party machinery that has be-
hind it rcformatOry and progressive elements.
The course of the AntSaloon Republicans is
clearly the more rational aud the more single
minded than that of the Prohibitionists. The
latter, say what they will, are using one hand
for temperance and the other for revenge. The
Don Rcpu licans are ON their part simply
TO make temperance reform the
first issue before the country.