The Republican journal., 1886-07-08
Letter from Prof. L. G. Bateman.

10 THE EDITOR OF TIE JOTRNAL: In Sour
cnt has stated that am talked of AS a candidate
for Congress on the Prohibition ticket. Permit
me to SIN that am not Il candidate for the posi-
ton, and under no circumstances whatever
would accept. even if the nomination should
he unanimously rendered am led to this de
cisi0n not from any dislike TO the Prohibition
party, but from the fact that my business
gaGemcnt> absolutely forbid my acceptance of
any nomination requiring an active canvass.
AT the same time | will take this opportunity
10 say that am firm believer in the princi-
pies of temperance, and in the absence Of any
Grccnback ticket shall this fall east sny ballot
for the nominees of the Prohibition party.
The two great problems which confront this
nation to-day are the questions of labor and
Prohibition. Neither of the Old parties are
capable of graphing with these issues. With
them it is merely question of seiZing and re-
tainin" the offices. Could the labor and tenn
prrancc elements of society become united and
aroused to Il sense of their duty, the grand
principles for which they have SO long strug-
g|ed would soon become living reality. The
hour for the fultilment of this Utopian dream.
however, has not arrivad> Blinded by partisan
prejudice men will conI1nna for willie longer
to vote with the parties which are the sworn
enemies to the hopes thcy SO fondly cherish
Workngmen will heiloan their impoverished
condition brought about by the tyranny of cap
ital, but when the day OF election rolls around
will vote precisely rs the Goulds and Wander
bits desire. The advocates of temperance will
continue TO sing psalms through their nose and
vote for the rum soaked nominees of ''tlle old
party 'fhe dtry is rapidly approaching, how
ever. when this illusion will be dispelled. Men
are beginning TO learn the oft taught lesson
that organization and political action are the
only safeguards of liberty and progress. For
centuries the orators of Ireland poured forth
her woes in gildcd rhetoric; for centuries her
bar,ls and MINISTRIES dreamed and sang of ''rhe
harp which once through Tara's halls its sweet
est music poured;" but it was only when cool
hestsed. cool blooded and practical ParneI
organized and welded the Irish vote that the
world applaudcd and England trcmbled. Al
ready the murmuring thunders of similar
contest in orr own country can be heard in the
distance. The present disturbance between
labor and capital is but one wave of this great
ocean of unrest beating upon hostile shore.
The hcart-brokcn mother weeping over the
newly made grave of a hayward boy is an ever
present advocate of temperance and PrOhibi
ton. These are the great issues of the hour.
Unite these elements, armed with the sacred
ballot of freemen, and the power of kings and
princes shall not prevail against them. Rev.
outions never 90 backward. The fanatics of
to-day are but the victors and heroes of to-
morrow. Anybody can shout with the crowd,
but the men who stand up alone in defence of
great principle. sustained by an over master
ing confidence in truth, are the ones whom
posterity will crown with the garlands of love.
and affection. l.. G. BATEMAN.