The Cecil Whig., 1886-07-17
TEMPERANCE IN POLITICS.

We are not of those who think that
dragged into politics" We think that
it is properly to a large extent, politi-
cal question; and that, with the intense
interest in the subject which has been
aroused, it can be ''kept out of politics, >
is not to be supposed. We are very ready
to see il recognized as one of the issues
of the hour.
1t is well to keep our ideas clear and
definite, however; and when we say that
''the temperance question" is le gitimate
political issue, let US understand just what
We mean by the temperance question. :"
Political issues are always, of coui Sc,
questions of law-making. \ political
question is as to whether certain laws
shall be made. 1t is Lot as to whether
certain customs are wise or good, Or
whether parents ought to teach their
children certain things, or whether GER
tain things are or are not hurtful; all
such matter as these, important as they
may be, do not come within the sphere
of politics. Tue most most important is
sues on which men differ and divide are
not political issues at all. Religion, the
matter Of all others on which men differ
most widely, can never, in a republic, be
political issue. However deeply men
may feel upon it, however tenaciously
they may hold to their opinions, however
jealous Tor them and anxious to advance
them they may be, still they never think
of making laws for or against them.
They are not. and in our country cannot
be, political issue.
When we say, therefore. that temper
ance is so Sonte extent a real political issue,
it is equivalent to saying that it is in part
a matter OF law and in part not. SO far
as it is d matter of personal choice, or
habit or conviction, or training, it is no
more political question than is religion.
No one ever dreams of making laws for
bidding men to drink. 1t would be as
impossible to get men to take sides on
the question whether such a law should
be made, as on the question whether
such a law should be made forbiddidg
men to run into debt. Clearly, in these
respects temperance is not and cannot be
made a political issue. But in SO far SO
the selling of liquor is concerned, the
manner and extent of its sale, the tax
to be paid thereon, the restrictions placed
upon it, and the wisdom of forbidding it
entirely, men will and do take sides; aud
they aIe doing so now, to an extent
which interests every citizen, and makes
it seem quite possible that this may be-
come che of the main political questions
of the hour.
THIS arousing of public interest in the
political aspect of the temperance ques-
tion is a great point gained. When an
issue has gained such prominence that
party leaders recognize it as a factor in
public opinion which may split up old
parties and bring about radical change
in political affairs, it has made its great
est step forward. What moral questions
have most to fear is not opposition, but in
difference; not being fought, but being
.nored; and this advantage the temper
ance question has made The respect
which is paid to it by political managers.
the efforts which party leaders on each
side are making to convince temperance
people that TIER particular party is the
great original party of moral IDEAS"
the only one which has ever really done
anything for temperance, or from which
it has anything to hope, are significant
of the drift of political opinion. Clearly,
whether those who would prefer to
"thresh over old straw" like it, or not,
men will not continue to fight over dead
questions, they will address them selves
to the fresh ones which ari,e.-and SO
the temperance question has al, eldy be-
ccme political issues.
We thoroughly agree with Tie /iomc
Weekly in the above presentation of
the character of the Temperance issue,
but so far as his views favor the for
nation Of a ''third party" we do not
agree with him. We regard the ques-
ton as essentially legislative one, the
present most necessary end being the