The Republican journal., 1886-10-14
EPUBLICAN JOURNAL.
Prof. Bateman's Letter.


Into the political arena. as the champion of
Prohibition with BIC p, enters Prof. l.. c.
Bateman, bearing on his left shoulder Il chip
and brandi>hing in his good right hand stout
shillaleh, at sight of which the 1.-TWO old par
ties will please tremblc. But. seriously, the
Professor is always interesting. whether on the
lecture platform or writing up his European
experiences, aud what he has to say of local
and rational politics and politicians makes an
entertaining letter. 1t is not of course to be
expected that we should set forth in detail our
dissent from the statements and propositions
Of our yiyaciou> correspondent. We think,
however. that he has assumed some things the
Journal did not Say-;is for example that the
Prohibition party is acting in harmony with
the Democratic Party.-but we did say and
there is abundant proof to sustain the asser-
ton, that the Prohibition party, at Thu stage Of
itS existence, is simply aiding to put Demo-
Gratis into Office without the rcmotest prospect
for the success, Of is own candidates. This of
course is in keeping with the repeated dcclara-
tiGu- of Prohibition orators that their mis- sion
is to destroy the Republican party. The Jour
nal would be unfaithfu to it, sense of duty,
both as Republican paper and a. an advocate
of prohibition. if it did not call attention to
these obvious facts. The ,Journal'> concern is
with the present. and though mindful of the
saying that ''liStory repeats itself it does not
assume to possess the gift of prophecy. The
Prohibition purity led by st, John and Neal
Dow and Differed mainly by disappointed
oliicc-scekers ma! be the party of the future,
but We do not believe it. We know what the
Republican party has done for the cause OF
temperance, and have faith in its continued
efforts in th, direction.
Our correspondent says: THE Republic
cans are always ready TO enact statutes
against the saloon, but with not the slight
est intention of enforcing them. Let lis
sec. 1t is true that all the temperance
legislation Oh our statute books was placed
there by Republicans, but the enforcement of
these laws i not left wholly with the Republi-
cans. This duty in many counties, cities and
towns deVoyc> upon Democrats. and the in
stances are few where these officials do not
shield the rum>eller and disregard the laws
they are sworn to enforce. The temperance
laws differ in 10 respect from other laws.
They are Il part of the legal code of the State
with the additional backing of a constitutional
amendment. In this county we have had for
the past two years Republican county attor-
ney, whose enforcement of the liquor laws has
won for him the cnnity of the saloons and the
commentator Of the temperance organiza-
tons. And il is becall>e he did enforce these
laws that he was defeated at the last election
and Democrat elected in his place. to serve
with a Democratic sheriff who has not been
known to modest a rumseller during his two
successive term, Of office. The Prohibitoni>t-
contributed to the election OF Democrats who
Will not enforce prohibition. and to the defeat
OF the Republican who hal earned the hatred
OF the saloons by doing his duty. This may he
serving the temperance cause, but we fail 10
see it.
As to the bricks the Professor throws ri9ht
and left into the two old parties be seems to
have distributed them quite mpartialy, so
that Republicans and Democrats must feel that
neither has been Sighted and that they can
a. before. 1t will also he con>oing to those
left out in the distribution of the loaycs and
fishes that with Il few exceptions hardly worth
mentioning he Professor j, not satisfied with
the present order Of things. and if it was his say
would order new deal. We should like 10
see thu Prohibition sheriff he promises. but
would have more faith in hi> Undertaking had
not the so-callcd third party in the recent eec-
ton defeated such >tauEch Temperance men as
Dr. A. j. Billings and Henry l.. Payson. and
such an efficient official as county attorney
Rogers. Prof Bateman was not at home dur
ing the campaign or his eyes would have been
opened TO the insiucerity and >elf-sceking of
some Of those he considers h> feIlow-workers
in the third party movement. \, temperance
man he would also have been disguised with
the deed, done in the name Of the cause he adj
vocates with 50 much ability and zeal. and
would no doubt have exhausted hi, supply Of
bricks before the two Old parties came in for
their turn.
The Boston Herald recently said. edioriaIlv
1--WE have 70 doubt that the condition of work
ingmen generally in this country is far better
than in any other country III the world And