Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-11
Sound Patriots Remarks on Temper
ance.

Bv what course and what measures to
lessen the terrible evil of the liquor traffic
and the drink evil are worthy the study
and careful consideration of all good citi-
zens. Mr. James F. Almy, a strong Tenn
perance advocate, of Salem, Mass, has an
admirable communication in the New DIRK
Tribune. from which we copy the conclud-
ing portion. We especially commend it
to the reading of those who believe in
Temperance legislation and are in doubt
a. to their political duty touching the sub
iect at the present time. There must be
some who are not 50 committed to Third
Partyism but that they may gain light
from this earnest utterance of an earnest
and highly intelligent friend of Temper
ance and of strong Temperance measures:
All honorable temperance advocates be-
lieve in prohibition for the liquor traffic is
sustained by selhshneSs and love of gain,
and those who value manhood will need in
the end to crush the enemy by law, else the
weak will forever furnish victims for the
evil trade. Whe have seen that the Christian
Church has accepted her mission and
wrought the temperance sentiment which
makes temperance legislation possible.
We come now to the organization of the
Republican party, whose birth in 1876 was
preceded by a like premonitory moral in
tuence in the Church against human slaves.
The organization of this party marked
by the first practical temperance legislation,
and the party has followed this up through
out our Union, keeping ahead of the moral
sentiment of the people. as the failure to en-
force temperance laws will show. This great
party has from the first embraced the ninety
nine per cent who are now forsaken by the
one frisky lamb in the Prohibition fold The
The Republican party has been hard at work
perfectmg temperance legislation in spite of
its little sanctihed enemy. The Lord only
knows how to deal with His alleged elect
ones, who glory in accomplishing evil that
good may come. refer to the expressed de-
sire of the Prohibitionists that the Democratic
policy of rum shall win in elections and to
their persistent opposition to the enforce
ment of prohibtory laws.
The dastardly spirit of the Third party is
shown in its tauuts that the Republican party
advocates free rum because at the National
Convention it took the stand that liquor taxes
should be put away, while the same principle
has long been advocated by all sincere Chris
tan temperance workers | ask any voter
who may be doubtful to the mission of
the Prohibition party to sean its anomalous
makeup and its methods. The assumption
of superior wis lom or goodness must stand
the test of common sense. This little com
plny is strangely mixed. There are the
Woman Suffragists (whose good cause is
jeopardzed by this unnatural alliance min
gled with disgruntled politicians. Uniting
these is another small, but enthusiastic ele-
ment, namely, certain members of the Chris
tan Church who are no longer useful or
agreeable to their brethren; who, to all in
tents and purposes, live apart to enjoy them
selves special and fixed experience which
they call holiness or sanctifcation. This
incongruous political party, to speak charita-
bly,, NAV be honest but belongs to that class