The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1888-08-23
Republican Free Whiskey.


Republican Free Whiskey.
| TO THE EDITOR OF TIE Journal: The
heading of this article is the oft-repeated cry of
the Democracy and their allies. out of the
! plank in the Republican platform which de-
clares in favor of the repeal of the tax spir.
| its, the other side propose. if possible. to make
vast amount of political capital. 1t requires
considerable ingenuity to warp this plain state
ment into such a twisted form that it can by
any possible means be made to read in favor of
| the unsurpassed sale of intoNicantS. Yet,
| this is just the meaning that some men would
| be glad to make the public believe the removal
| of the whiskey tax carries with it. Democrat
! ic free whiskey without doubt means that
which would be free in retail trade to the peo-
pie. When they attempt to give their own
meaning to this subject, they simply make their
| Incorporate principles clear to the intelligent
| people OF the country.
| We could find it in our nature to forgive
| those who make 10 secret of their 'free drink
principles for the attempt to subvcrt the
meaning of the resolve in favor of the repeal
of the whiskey tax. Nothing more nor less
has been expected of them in this respect, for
"'ts their nature so to do" 1t is very easy
for us to comprehend the motives of the DEM
ocrats. but when it comes to the wing of that
party, which takes to itself the cognomcn of
Prohibitionist>, one may be excused if he stops
| to scratch his head in wonder. 1t is point Of
considerable interest. to consider the motive
which leads that faction of the Democracy to
turn from their own previously expressed dc
claration Of principles. The third party men
are ringing the changes of politics over this
very subject. and would make the voters of the
land believe that the Republicans contemplate
injury to the temperance cause. and that they
favor the repeal of the tax for that purpose
and no other. One may be forgiven if he is
lead to question the sincerity of the third party
men, in their claim to give all other matters Il
secondary place to the question of legal pre-
hibtion.
1t requires but very little thought upon this
subject to cause one to believe that their atti-
tude is one worthy the attention of that most
despicable OF all men-a scheming politician
who opposes right for the sake of party spite.
to the third party in their opposition to the
Republicans, and in their aid to the Demo-
Gratis: If you are at first inclined to think it
may be, let me ask you to turn to the platform
of the National Prohibition Convention which
was adopted bv that party at Indianapolis the
30th of last May. You will find that the fourth
plank in that platform is in favor of the i'm
Into ,,Ip
TEN. whereby our national government is de-
rivins support from our greatest national
vice. Is that plain enough in it, meaning: !,
it not exactly the position of the Republican
party of the country: This part of the matter
is as plain as day in the broatlcst sunlight:
there lie the two panks in harmony on the
whiskey tax. and yet the third party Join
hands with the Democrats and dance Il jump
ing-jack JIG TO the tune of free trade and the
red bandanna. In the light of facts a> reveal
ed by the platforms of the different parties.
why do they do this thing: If men raise the
question, whether they desire the success of
the temperance cause more than they DO the
overthrow of the Republican party, il must he
remembered that they have good grounds for
so asking. And if they are led to decide that
it is the latter please to bear in mind that such
decision is compatible with good logic In
point of fact, it is much to he doubted whether
good logic would lead an intelligent man to
any other. Would the repeal of the wii,kcy
tax he welcomed by the temperance people Of
the country: As plain soldier in the ranks
of the temperance army allow me to say that
1t would. Sooner or later it must 90. The OPP
ponents Of prohibition and temperance re-
form want it, and this would be pretty good
reason for our not wishing its continuance \
tax Whereby our government receives $751;
oooOOO revenue yearly, leaves the people open
to the charge of wishing to perpetuate the
trade for the sake of the income. No thorough
temperance man to-day desires such thing.
1t is not in accordance with the teachings of
the temperance people of this country to de-
rive government support from the most de-
grading traffic that ever threatened the welfare
of our country's prosperity.
This act of the Republican party is in direct
line with our temperance work. and is the out
come of the temperance growth of the people.
In the interest of the temperance cause, the
time must come when our government Shall
no longer derive any part of its support from
the liquor traffic as national feature.
Republican free whiskcy. Well may the OPP
poncnts Of temperance harp upon this subject.
1t is temperance measure, and aS such is ac-
knowe'lged by the temperance people. When
we consider this fact, We cease 10 wonder that
the Democrats oppose it; when we consider
that it is advocated by the Rep ublican>, we
also cease to wonder that the third party men
'lo not give it their support. In their spite
against the Republicans they must try TO cut
off head. even if by doing they sever
their own heads.
Temperance. protection, equality and JUS
tice. Let this suffice for us in the coming cleo
ton. L. {. Dow.
Monroe, Me.