The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-12
THE ANrI-sALooN MovEMENT.
The New Phase of the Temperance Agitation
in the Eastern States.

The New Phase of the Temperance Agitation
in the Eastern States.
Boston Journal.
The invitation which has been sent out signed
by seventy or eighty well-known Republicans in
various parts of the State, to a conference of
anti-saloon Republicans in fremont Temple on
Monday next gives practical and pointed expires
Sion to sentiment which is widely prevalent
among Republicans. The single purpose of this
movement is to pursuade the Republican party.
IN the State and Nation, to take strong and
unequivoeal position upon this question. 70 the
party which, more than any other In the history
of our Nation, has been prompted by generous
enthusiasm, and loyal to Inspiring principles
comes now the invitation to place ltsetf at
the head Of the movement which recognizes
the saloons for what they are, cursesto
society, and proposes to deal with them accord
ingly as public enemies. In one sense, the i'm
pulse to this movement may be said to proceed
from the saloons themselves, because the grow
ing arrogance of the saloon interests, and the
attempt which they making to or4anizefor
moro effective political influence, constitute
summons to citizens who do not believe In that
sort of domination to get over speedily upon the
other side. %
There are two points OF view from which this
invitation may be regarded, that of principle
ard that of policy. Viewed from the first there
can be no question as to the proper position OF
the Republican party. BY all its history and
traditions, il is allied with whatever makes
for the material and moral welfare Of the
people, for sincere and intelligent citizenship,
for purity in politics, and for good laws honestly
enforced To say this is to say that 1t is the natur-
al antagonist OF the saloon, for OF all these
things the saloon is the open and deadly enemy.
If regard were had simply to the principle in
volved there would be little difference OF opinion
among Republicans. That difference arises when
the matter is viewed as a question Of policy.
There exists in some minds an apprehension that
the Republican party will lose more than 1t Will
gain, if it adopts this policy. We do not believe
that the apprehension is well grounded Al
ready, without any concurrence or action,
the course of the Republican party has
been such in the several States as to win
for it the active enmity of the saloons. In Kan
sas. and Maine, and Rhode Island it has adopted
constitutional prohibition. In Iowa it has
framed a rigid prnhibitory law, with an inJunc-
ton attachment which works like steel trap.
In Illinois it has introduced and maintained high
license. In Ohio it has passed tax law, which
collects millions of dollars from the saloons and
turns the sum over to public uses, and IN the
process eliminates a good many drinking places.
In this State it has added to local option a
series of restrictive laws and has stood
steadily against the attempts made to
free the liquor traffic from legal regu-
lation and limitation The liquor interests
are not blind Although they may be able
to secure the support Of individual Republicans,
they understand that. as a rule, it is the Repub-
lican party which frames and enforces the laws
which they dislike. and 1t is the Democratic
party which promises them all it dareS, and
gives them all it can. TO very large extent,
the Republican saloon keeper is myth. There
are those who give the party occasional support,
but they are always for the saloons first and for
the party afterward. At the other end OF the
party there are thousands of sensitive and con-
scient!ous Republicans who may easily be alien
ated by any real or fanced attempt to coneiliate
the saloons. The party will be more sagaelons
in it's policy and more true to its principles It 1t
strengthens itself at that end. Losses there will
be, but there will be greater gains.