Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-03-24
II THIRD r

From all appearances a warm fight - to
wsged against the third party movement
by the Republicans in West Virginia.
What interest the Republican party may
have in opposing the Prohibition party, ex-
cept to kill of a dangerous rival, Is not
clear. The row is not 3 Democratic one,
but when shameless partisan abuse Is
heaped upon the heads of the third party
men because thsy do not desert their prin-
Ciples at the bidding OF a political boss, we
would say a few words in the interest OF
fair play.
What reason any man, who sincerely be-
lieves in the principle Of prohibition, can
have for bitterly opposing a party which Is
pledged to the support of that pTinciPlei Is q
problem that can besolysdOnly by the acute
mind Of a Republican politician. The cry
that prohibition is not a political question
which some milk. and-wster advocates are
wont to raise, will no. do. Prohibition IL
a political question in West Virginia and
in every other State of the Union. lift
becomes a law il must be through political
forces. and if it is carried out it must be
carried out by the same means. Why
then should any one who fayors prohibl-
ton "a a cure for a moral evil depreeste
the formation ola political organization
pledged TO that end?
In West Virginia the amendment might
be carried by non political ogitation. The
REGISTER does not believe il could be
faithfully enforced under any circum-
stance; least of all, when there is no
body powerful in the politics oftheS State,
devoted solely to that purpose.
But if We mistake uot the aims of the
third party men is higher than mere State
prohibition. The idea il national. An
amendment TO the Constitution of the
United States prohibiting the manufacture
and sale OF intoNicants throughout the
land il their final object. Nom
political sgitatiOu confined to the
limits of any n State can not
effect this. A strong national party
with the one object supreme, essential to
success. That party may not be called
prohibition, il may, like the abolition
party. swallow mp one Of the existing or
CARNATIONS. But if ever practical prOhi-
bition is secured, it will he national and
secured and maintained by 3 national po-
htieal party.
With the immediate effect of q
third party in State and National
politics we are not concerned. In some
Southern States it will certainly draw its
strength more from Democrats than Re
publicaDs, but if it ever becomes = power
full antagonist in any arena the Democratic
party will not hesitate TO meet it.
The abuse that il beaped upon the adj
vocates OF the movement IN West Virginia
by Republican organs from the highest to
the lowest is Significant OF their POSITION
The Republican party has firted Will pro
h~ibitiouists and liquor men. IL has car
ried water on both -houlders. 1t Is now
brought face to C:cc with the question in
this State; and is asked TO make its pro-
fsss;ons nod L. treinE 4" aS0So ~
iSspe. and shove i. out of politics The
scheme will not work. The formation Of
a third party comPels the "holier thar
thou" GOOD and morality men to take
sides. They can't run the movement for
their wi benefit, hence it Is that the or
gans ring, in their feeble little way, with
dire denunciaiions Of the third party and
all who sdvocate it,