The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-10-13

former year" Automatically the report
is true, practically the impression intend
ed to be created is false.
An important and essential clement in a
true record of growth would be to find the
relative strength Of the party as compared
with the volume of voters out of whom the
party must make its gains. The Prohibi-
ton party to justify its claim must gather
its majorities out of the mass of voters
who believe in Prohibition. This mass of
voters throughout the country may be esti-
mated at not less than 3, 900, 900; this esti-
mate is based on the return of popular
votes on Constitutional Prohibition, Oh No
License and at Local Option elections.
II the Prohibition party were in favor
with Prohibitionists, it would certainly re.
ceive more than $50, 600 out of 5000, 600.
Again, Prohibition party speakers and
writer's often give the results of local non
partisan elections as if these were party
gains. We do not charge Intentional
classifying of returns, but we do charge
wholly misleading results, which greatly
tax the credulity Of ordinary mortals
Has not the Republican party been
goaded by the third party to take an ad-
Vanced position on the temperance ques-
ton!
No; on the other hand, believe the Re
publican party would have done better
work and the cause of temperance would
have gained if tho so-called Prohibitory
party had never been organized.
Stimulants and narcotics are dangerous
where any party seeks to maintain posi-
ton beyond the average sentiments of it's
adherents; it endangers its own domi-
nance and possible usefulness. | believe
more Republicans have been driven away
from Prohibition by distrust of third
party leaders and disgust Of third party
methods than have been stimulated to
political action through wholesome fear of
the party power of Prohibition. In the last
analysis moral convection in the minds of
the people is the only sure guaranty of
legislation and enforcement.
If the saloon problem is the greatest
question before the American people, why
should not all other political questions be
subordinated to it?
Because a subject which is greatest in
| Importance and supreme in potentialities
may not ways be nearest in point of time.
Preparation and adjustment must always
precede important action. In political af-
fairs the people will indicate when they
are prepared. Action may then be delayed
until the agencies through which the action
| is had are adjusted An illustration: The
| purity of the ballot, the safety of the bal
lot-box, the honesty of the count are pre-
essentials to any vote on any question
The relation os the Republic to the liquor
traffic is no exception to the rule.
The ship which carries our precious car
go must be sea-worthy and well of1icered
VOTE AS YOU PRAY.
The philosophy of prayer is beyond com
prehension; that the finite may by its
own voltion reach tho infinite and bring
response in human action may well com
pei the ejaculation of the philosopher
Great is the mystery of Godlinessl But
the human mind gives acceptance to tina
which it least understands; all men con
sciously or unconsciously pray The
Christian believes that the 'fervent
emectual prayer Of the righteous MAJ
availeth much" We judge, however, tina
the prerequisite of effectual prayer is al
adjustment of human activities to the &C
complishment Of the end prayed for. Tt
pray for the overthrow of the liquor traffi,
and then vote in such a manner as to en-
throne the liquor traffic is an attempted
conservation of human and spiritual force
contrary to reason and revelation 1t i
written that at the last many shall say
Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied il
Thy name, and in Thy name have cast on
devilsi and in Thy name done many won
derful works? And then l will profes
unto them, l never knew We, depart iron
Me, We that work iniquity."
party is needed behind law. This i
a dangerous teaching and implies that onl,
those who believe in and champion legis
lation can be relied on to sustain enforce
ment. Social disorder and lawlessnes
even to anarchy is the logical result of sucl
teaching, and we may well tremble lest
second Haymarket Square may make it,
record in blood, if good people dare Il
teach the traitorOus doctrine that the en-
forcement of the law depends upon party
and partisan zeal and that the citizen has
no duty in that regard If the law happens
to be obnoxious or Indifferent to him; tina
assistance in enforcement Of law is no
expected from those whose party did no
aid in the laws passage.
DO right and trust God for the result
This bcgs the whole question. What i
right is the very matter under discussion
But how can Christians vote with saloon
keepers? Because they have many thing
in common. Society is great whole; it i
impossible for tho individual to isolat
himself; it is wrong for him to try to do i
in political affairs. Political monasticisn
en.dangers the Republic
The constitution and the law are undo
and about all citizens, so are human
conditions and human needs "H
maketh the sun to shine upon the evi
and the good. He sendoth the rain upo
tho just and the unjust.n When AM
wherever the liquor traffic becomes aggres
sive in party politics, then the controvers
and separation begin. AS matter of fac
the number of saloonists or saloon syn
pathizers remaining in the Republican pal
ty is very few.
Herman Raster, chief editor of the III
} nois Stats ZeittnD, and author of the ia
nous Raster resolution ~ Of 1872, says:
while the Republican National conYentio
rcfrained from having any plank in referenc
TO temperance at ii st, just before djoutI
mont, on motion of u member from Maine
unanimously adopted plank, by which th
Republican party, as SUCH pledges itself on
ald out TO further temperance What such
} declaration, coming from the Utopia of prob
p b ton, Maine, signifies, is apparent TO over
child.
. The Republican party as such, stands con
. raitted as the temperance party, without tn
courage of committing itself directly to the fu
extent OF prohibition.
Through this abOminable play the Rcpulit
an party may gain to its ranks few renegad
} ProhbltionistS, but how many German RI
publ!cans can now remain true to the Repu
, liCan partyy
Will the self-constituted custodians o
pure politics be as ready to quote thes
words of Mr.. Raster as they have bee
, those uttered by him i'll 1872! Are the
| SIS ready to commend the good as they al
| to publish tho cVil3