New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-28
WARNER MILLERS CANVASS
ITS NATIONAL VALUE AND IMPORTANCE.
AN ISSUE RAISED WHICH STRENGTHENS THE
WHOLE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

WHOLE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
| To the Editor or The Tribune.
Sir: BY common consent in tho last Presidential
canvass Ncw-York was the pivotal state-the field
on which side the other should find It's
Waterloo. The Republican party threatened
on one hand by the vigorous and plausible advo-
cacy Of the Prohlblionlsts, on the other by the
multitudnOus denizcns of the sums Of the city The
latter were taken I'm hand by tho Napolconic strategy
Of Chairman Quay and his associates. Tho Pro
hibition detection, with all its possible and actual
powers for making inroads upon the normal strength
OF tho party, confronted by a policy and an
energy emanating entirely from Warner Miller; and
most faithfully and successfully did he achieve his
work I'm this gigantic contest, the nature and pro-
portions of which are we'll worthy of careful con-
sheraton.
It must be remembered that by careful nvestiga-
ton four-ffths OF the voting strength Of the Pro
hibitioniss Is drawn from tho Republican party. The
Prohibition vote of last year was 41,s5O, and the
earnest advocacy of their by means Of news
papers and lectures gave them the utmost CON
fdcnce in predicting an increased vote amounting 70
from CO. 900 to 100000. The total vote OF the state
1851 being an increase over the vote OF 1854
Of 165473; and the proportion Of the total vote
naturally falling to the Prohibitionists provided they
should maintain their rate of increase over the vote
of 1884 would be 5000 that they were reasonably
sure of an aggregate vote in the state of NewYorll
glance that any such Prohibition vote would have
given the State TO the Democrats by immense
majority.
The problem, therefore, which presented itself to
Warner Miller TO win the election Of Harrison
by a reduction Of the Prohibition vote of the State.
How could this be done? 1t could not be accom-
plishcd by the play Of political machinery,
campaign hustle and the noise Of the hastings It
must be done by an exhibition Of sound reasons,
trier ms MI
going craftsmanship. The PrOhibitiOnists In
tense in their convictions and liable to narrow pre-
judces, but party they evnce a largo degree
Of honesty and sincerity. Their party includes, also,
many dlvnes. writer's and careful thinkers Of the
day. Their deep convictions and earnest aspirations
could by no means be satisfied by merely partisan
considerations. The candidacy of Mr. Miller was
conceived in a spirit thoroughly practical, earnest
and sincere, his onslaught upon the saloon power
was so genuine and mrecntlng, and the measures
Of local option and high license restriction were so
papably calculated to curail tho vast evils Of the
drink traffic. that all candid men felt at once the
wisdom OF his proposed methods Of reform. Hence
the most eminent leaders I'm the ministry declared
themselves publicly in favor of Miller, at the same
time acknowledging that they had previously voted
with the Third party
The reaction against Third partylsm viewed
with undlsguised dismay by Prohibition leaders, but
despite all their efforts the rational and earnest
policy Of the Republican leader prevailed. The
Prohibition vote not only shorn Of increase,
but the aggregate of the year previous was cut down
to 10000 thus insuring the triumph Of the Repub-
lican party I'm the State While Warner Miller lost
as an individual candidate he not only the In
auguraton Of rational method Of temperance re-
form but the complete and triumphant election Of
Harrison. Well may the Prcsident-ccct say in his
congratulatory dispatch, II the intrepid leader fell
the brcastworks, the column, inspired by his
courage, went TO victory" II West Virginia had
gone Republican, at first supposed the result of
Warner Mlllers canvass would have been mag
n!fcent help to Republican success; but since the
Solid South by tho latest count, is still unbroken
the work of Mr.. Miller has proved indispensable 70
Republican supremacy. The campaign would have
proved frultlcss without his agency.
In relation to the future Mr.. Mller's canvass has
immense significance. Tho Republican party has
always felt an Instinct toward moral and temperance
reform. This canvass brings out this tendency in
strong relief. The party has not been unanimous as
10 methods hut the general trend of party action
has been in the direction Of legal restriction Mr..
Mllcr's candidacy included both prolOlton- IN the
form Of local option and restriction by high lccnse
with numerous precautions and limitations. Broadly
tangible methods rather than those which. for the
present. fancifl and ideal than aitainahlc.
In New-NOrk STATE complete legal RESTRICTION must
necessarily be attained by gradual approaches. 1t
Is by no means the function of a true party of the
people construct ideal platforms IL Is the true
Office of party to aim the possible, real and attain
able, considering all the present conditions of the
society subject to current governmental regulations
In the main, the Republican party Is governed by such
a policy and this composite method Is fully brought
ont I'm the candidacy OF Mr.. Miller His work has
swept Ike a wave over the country and every Rcpub
can state feels pledged anew 10 consistent earnest
common sense opposition 10 the domination of the
saloon I'm politics and I'm private life Doubtless the
lesson taught the Republican party I'm the New York
canvass IS 10 employ all pOsS BILE and available methods
to restrict the Influence of the saloon and diminish
the evils OF the rum power
No summing up Of the Republican canvass would
be complete without mention OF the mighty influence
Of The Tribune, which has, Ike the nmlnary Of day,
sent its bright radiance into all quarters OF tho
country, battling for the right, ccitlng truth and
exposing falschOOd. al all times gallant, faithful
cNpounder of the benign principles Of the Constitution,
and Conservation Of all that IS noble I'm manhood,
true In government, and progressive In american
institutions REPUBLIC.
Washington, d. C., Dec 81, 1888.