Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-07-16

The revival of the temperance agitation
throughout the country is one of the marked
features of recent politics. This movement
is not necessarily prohibitory in it's character,
but varies somewhat according to the differ
ing conditions existing in the different states.
1t is q practical sort of political temperance,
or of temperance politics, which adapts itself
to the temper Of the people. m Vermont it
unites readily with the policy of prohibition,
because that is the settled policy of the state,
and the recent Republican state convention
adopted resolution voicing the general tenn
perance sentiment of the people. In New
Jersey, in May last, a conference of Republi-
cans adopted resolution declaring that lin
our judgment the Republican party should
take positive and pronounced attitude of
incorporating hostility to the organized
power Of the liquor. selling interest of the
country, and should favor and promote any
and all practical measures for the restriction
of the liquor traffic within the narrowest
practicable limits and for the enforcement of
all laws for the regulation, restriction or sup
preston of the liquor saloon"
In Massachusetts, where local option pre-
walls, large number Of the leading Republi
cans met in conference at fremont Temple
in Boston last Monday to discuss the attitude
which the Republican party ought to main
tain with reference to the temperance ques-
ton and though the ultra. prohibitionists
controlled the action OF the meeting the
movement was indicative of a widespread de-
sire to make the Republican party more dis
tinctively temperance party by uniting all
friends Of the cause upon a broad practical
basis of reform. The committee who called
the meeting declared that they met ''as mem
bers Of the Republican party who are in sym
patty with the movement now becoming gen.
erAl over the country toward suppressing the
open saloon !" and the chairman, Col. Robert
Il. Bishop in addressing the meeting, clearly
defined the issues presented in the following
language:
1.-THE question which confronts us now, here in
Massachusetts and all the country, is the ques
ton Of the grog shops. congratulate you that
are 100 less Of them in the city of Boston this year
than there were last year. / congratulate you thai
this result has been accomplished by the active efforts
OF men mainly Republicans, through police com
mission established by Republican legislature and
appointed by Republican governor But yet, Goo
knows, there are too many. Nne-tenths Of the crime
OF the pAupersm Of the vice Of the state will 20 ont
with them. Tue worst monopoly the face OF tn,
earth-the right to fatten aud grow rich the earn
ings and on the manhood OF the poor and unfortunate
enrontery equal only to its futility, this powe
is organising to increase and perpetuAte itself; or
gAniztng for political power organizing 60 throug
this commonwealth at the next election, and at sue
ceeding elections, to hold the club Of political
over every candidate who will not how the knee to III
commands Against such power and such menae
there should be no word but defiance.
''The Republican party has been divided tn
questions OF prohibition, license and high license
but upon one thing lie sgreed-A sincere and homes
purpose to cut down and diminish the evils of intem
perance to the lowest possible point Upon the evil
OF the corner GROCERY, where reciprocally
and are mutually kicked into the gutter where chill
dren are trained to be criminals whose shadow cast
blight over households and homes, there is, ther
can be, no division Of sentiment. The incontrovert
BILE fact stands out that the liquor saloon terGbl
evil in its effect upon good morals good order an
good government, and ls therefore to be treated as
enemy to society; and upon this ground the Who'll
Republican party believe, is ready to stand as
solid phalAn1."
This, it will be seen, is a movement this
may we'll take in all temperance men, wheth
er they are prohibitionists or not. It seek
restriction Of the traffic by whatever mean
the best temperance men will favor as bel
adapted to their respective states and con
munities. So, while 1t is not radical and III
reasonable it proposes to do something, an
that which will be most ffectuAl.
1t has long been obvious to thinking me
that the third party movement draws almo
} wholly from the Republican party. Thei
! are few prohibition Democrats, and what fe
there are care very little for prohibition
they would not remain in party whose chi,
power Is the "bar'l," be it q bA rel of none
J or barrel Of whiskey. On the other ham
the great body OF the Republican party
made up Of men who favor temperance, b.
in varying degrees Of intensity. They res
lie, IS q matter Of practical politics, that II
} party has got to do enough on this subject
} satisfy the bulk of St. Johns followers or
: will continue to defeat the party as he di
= two years ago. In short, the party must d
, clare against free rum, demand public restri
ton and control, and press it as far as publ
sentiment will sustain, or the party is doome
r This is the situation. The question cam