Smyrna times., 1888-02-22

TT V''V NJWtYIIEI IIWEl
The Action of the Alliance

EDITOR OF SMYRNA TIMEs-Dear
SIR "A part of the report of the
Temperance Alliance meeting in Dover
on Wednesday the 18th, is calculated
to mislead. 1t is well for our friends
to consider the following facts.
At the annual meeting of the alliance
held in MiddletOwn, Oct. 10th and 18th.
1883, the following resolutions were
adopted:
That having appealed in vain for
years past to the political parties of
this State for appropriate legislation
to extinguish the dire evil of intern
perance. This Alliance. deeplv re-
GREETING the necessity imposed upon
it, feels compelled to recommend the
nomination OF an Independent local
option ticket in the several counties
OF the State for the ensuing year, and
to this end it invites the co operation
of all persons, regardless of creed or
party. Nevertheless, if either or both
of the political parties of Delaware
shall take satisfactory position on
the question in due time, then the
members of this Alliance hold them
selves in readiness to consider the ex-
pediency Of abrOgating the indepen-
dent action contemplated in the former
part of this resolution. Therefore we
are determined to act as we pray. and
we, therefore, endorse the temperance
compact and congratulate our friends
that l,OOO citizens have already pledged
themselves, and we will Join in earnest
efforts TO secure teas of thousands IF
such pledges"
The next resolution instructed fine
central Executive Committee to devise
such measures, etc, the result of which
was hrst an appeal to the State Con-
Ventlons OF both old parties to adopt
some temperance measure in their plat
forms; Second, on the rejection Of the
appeals, to call county conventions and
nominate legislative tickets in the
three counties.
Inc annual meeting of the Alliance
held In Wilmington, Feb. 18th 1884
adopted the following:
1t IS no longer the suggestion of
wisdom or prudence that the friends If
prohl0ltlon should hesitate to organize
ior determined appeal 20 the ballot
ooX' ana we therefore instruct the Cen
tral Executive Committee to consider
devise and execute the required meas
ures to this end"
The Executive Committee oroanizoJ
tne temperance Reform Party in obe-
dlGnce to the above directions of the
Alliance.
AT the meeting in Dover, on We'd
| nesday, the resolution DECLARING for
constitutional Reform and for Consti-
tutlonal Prohibition passed without a
dissenting vote. But the next resoIu-
tlon, requesting the Central Executive
Committee Of the Alliance TO confer
with the Central Committee of the
Temperance Reform Party did meet
WIN opposition, not that any one OBJ
Jected to political action, but to the
methods proposed; the opponents TO
the resolution wishing Immediately on
adjournment, to hold a convention ami
organize straighOut Prohibition PARTY
WhlIe those supporting the resolution
believed it better and wiser to submit
the matter to the Temperance Reform
committee. This was the only differ
ence, and when the intent Of the reso-
luton was satisfactorily explained. the
opponents withdrew their objections
and voted solid for the resolution.
ne truth Is unanimity and harmony
prevailed throughout, and l do not
remember that there was a single
dissenting vote in the convention on
any question.
A resolution, following the one relat-
ing to State matters, directed the Cen.
trail Committee to confer with the Cen
trail Committee of the Reform party
and request the call of convention to
appoint delegates to the National Pro
hibition Convention, which was done
Immediately on the adjournment of the
alliance. r. NJ. COOPER.
MORTON, DEL, Feb. 20td, 1888.
T. S.-Numerous letters received
from temperance men of the State
before and since the Convention, show
that most Of them are in accord with
the action taken, r. NJ. Z.