The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-15
''shai We Have a Prohlbition Party?.

SnaH We Have Prohibition Party?"
10 the Editor Of the indianapolis Journals
Bishop Merrill in an article, entitled 1.-The
remedy" in the Western Christian Advocate Of
Oct =, asks the question, Shall we have Pro-
hibition party2" He answers. Eyes. on two con-
dtions: First. that party necessary to the end
in view, and second that the end can be secured
in that way" but he says Neither condition
exists" He shows that .'the law desired ia
not party law, and no one of any intelligence
expects a party to make itn And he saws:
Even if it could be secured in that way it
would be far better, and in every way more
satisfactory and more efficient to have it by the
non partisan action of the people" He says:
There are three sorts of legislaton-the parti-
san. the compromise and the non-partisan."
The first is temporary and inefficient, the
second has TO hearty support from any
body, while the non partisan is the peoples
work and is most satisfactory, most efficient
and best enforced, and, ii really backed by
majority of the wisest and best citizens, becomes
a part of 1.-The texture of the government" He
says: There is very little partisan legislation;
the principal work Of the parties is the distribu
ton of Office and spoils. State benevolences,
criminal laws, educational enterprises, foreign
relations, finances. tariff. domestic policies, and
all great matters of public concern, are adopt
ed without division on party lines.
Laws concerning morals, religion,
the Sabbath, and all such ques-~
such must be prohibition. There is not in it
single political element. Prohibition is
strongest when it stands alone. Tt Is stronger
to-day than any party measure before the coun-
try, and it is strong that if kept free from
party complications no party In existence will
venture to antagonize it. when its power is once
shown in nonparty action. The attempt to use
1t for party purposes is weakness.
1t is too big, for restriction with
the party is method, and the method is too small
for the principle These words of Bishop Mer-
rill are worthy of very careful thought 1t
seems to me that they are wise words This
government is of the people, by the people and
for the people. That the majority must and
shall govern is absolutely essential if we remain
free people If the majority ask for and de-
mand prohibition, whatever party is
in in power should enact prohibition
this principle. It's broad and solid platform is
and has been-the will of the people must and
shall be respected and carried out. In Iowa,
when the people voted for prohibition, the Re-
publican party, without a prohibition plank in
its platform, said the peoples will must be
spected, and prohibition was enacted. 1t is for
the people to say what kind of temperance legis-
laton they want, and no party has a right to dis
regard the will of the jority. The way to OBJ
tain prohibition is to educate the peoplein favor
OF it, and then. when the people demand
it, put the party in power that represents
the will of the majority. No party can or ought
TO live that Will not submit these questions ia
the people when they demand such submissions
All attempts at DISTINGUISHING the majority must
end in TAI. ure A free people can remain so only
where there is a free ballot, and where every
mans BALLOTS worth as much as any other mans
ballot.
The conditions for Prohibition party do not
exist as the Bishop has well said, and its exist
ence is a weakness to the temperance cause II
represents very small minority of the real pro.
hibition vote. In those States where prohibit
ton has been submitted to the people, there were
cast than CSC, 900 votes for prohibition
while the Prohibition partys vote In those States
foots up only about 80 600. In Iowa prohibitioN
had more than IT'S 900 votes while the third
party gave, last year, only / ,405 votes. This
third party method is the method OF folly and
madness, and proceeds upon the absurd and
false theory that to build up and maintain one
must destroy and tear down.
The Republican party is right on this ques-
ton It says the people shall determine the
question for themselves If q county wants nSs>~
hibition its people may have it; II county
wants taxation and restriction only, the peoples
voice shall be heard aud respected; il majority
of the people say we do not want the saloon
among US, the saloon must co. if the majority
say we want the saloon, the saloon may stay
and bear the burdens it creates and there will
be room for the prohibition missionary IN that
place.
Let the majority rule. Educate and make
that majority wise and pure Give every man
an equal chance and free ballot and out of
that rule will come right legislation and prohibit
ton in its most effective and efficient form.
NEW CASTLE, Ind, Oct. IL. Z. B. REDDINa.