Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-10-28
The Anti-Saloon Conference.

Whatever may Oe Inc outcome OF tNe
National Anti-Saloon Republican Confer
ence. held last week in Chicago, it cannot
be denied that it was managed with good
sense and moderation. 1t did nothing it
ought not to have done it failed in nothing
it ought to have done. II erred neither BY
rashness nor by over-caution. II was a con-
ference Of earnest, clear headed men intent
on single purpose overthrow of the
saloon and saloon influence. While declar-
ing themselves Republicans they had no
word of abuse for the third party or any
other foe of the saloon; and if they were in
spired with the hope of conserving the Re
publican party, they had no thought of con-
serving it except by inducing it TO take its
stand on the right side Of the liquor ques-
ton. If they shall succeed in thi. the Re-
publican party will be conserved because it
deserves to be conserved.
The Conference was not, of course, the
mou,hpiece of the Republican party.
Though several states were represented by
delegates appointed by the Republican State
Committees. either by general request or by
authority of regular state conventions, the
Conference was unofficial Republican
gathering binding the party TO nothing. II
was, however, a conference representative
in higher sense. The two hundred men
who brought their credentials from sixteen
states as widely separated as Maine and
Nevada, and Michigan and Texas, were men
fully competent to represent the sober.
thinking classes-,he best, and as we be-
lieve. the largest element Of the Republican
party. United States Senator Blair, ex-
Secretary Of the Treasury Window, ex-
Indian Commissioner Hiram Price, Chief
Justice Horton, Of Kansas. ex-United States
Senator McDill. President Chaplin, Of Beloit
College, and Edward Everett Hale were the
sort of men who composed the Conference,
which was an able, grave and dignifed body
The Conference in all It's proceedings kept
three things steadily in view:
l. The saloon is a gigantic wrong.
,. The people should have full power so
10 deal with II as to suppress it at the ear-
est possible moment
3. Al! men who hate the saloon should
be in league against it.
The platform adopted is in entire har-
mony with these principles. 1t declares the
liquor traffic to be "the enemy Of society. a
fruitful source OF corruption III politics, the
ally OF anarchy, schoo! of crime, and, with
It's avowed purpose of seeking corruptly to
control elections aud legislation, is menace
TO the public welfare and deserves the con-
demHatlon of all good men" The indct-
ment charges evils Of great magnitude
What follows 1t is the supreme dut, of
Government to suppress the saloon at the
earliest possible moment" Meantime such
measures should be adopted as will "res,rlct
j, and control It's influence"
This positioa !. strong one. I, i Il
declaration Of a war of determination sgain>,
the saloon. Absolute prohibition Is recop.
uIzed a. The aim and ep1 oF ia. cona,c, /,
nuts war between the peopl. and the saloon
and makes Of them foes Who can never he.
come reconciled. The battle must % on
until the enemy of society" surrenders I'M
conditionally There is no mistaking the
meaning of the resolutions They will
admit Of no other INTERPRETATION. and strong.
er and more advanced ground canno, be
taken. The National Government ia called
upon to prohibit the manufacture and sale
Of intoxlcants in the District of Columbia
and the territories. Asto the states tn.
matter is in the hard. Of the people. They
ought to have the power 10 decide III. ou.>-
tion by voting on prohibi,ory copsri,uii,,,-
al amendment
All this is clearly set forth in tho nlat-
form. But what abou, those states which
are not ready to adopt constitutional probi-
biuon Local option is recommended To-
cal option is prohibition apulied 10 smaller
divisions than states. 1t is an eminently
practicable measure. and there is a wide de.
m.nd for H. Until prohibtory amendments
are adopted let local option laws be passed.
This is In. demand Of the platform and will
anybody say, that it does not greatly
strengthen the hands of the foes Of the ,a-