The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1888-01-25
THE PROHIBITION PARTY.
Shall 1t Abandon The Field?
Retrospect and Prospect OF The
Amendment Conflict.
EDIToR FREEMAN !:

EDITOR FREEMAN
Shall the Prohibition party put
. ticket in the field? This is the
question, being seriously discussed
lust now by Prohibitionists, the
advocates of the principles Of pro-
hibition in the old parties, and
strange to say, especially by the
enemies of Prohibition in the old
parties.
The occasion of the discussion is
"the fate of the Amendment"
which 1t is claimed hangs upon
the action of the Prohibition party
in this matter.
The right to put a ticket in the
field, is only questioned by blatant
demagogues, who deal in abuse for
lack Of argument, whose ignorance
of facts leads them to decry against
the organization of the Third
party" when that organization has
been perfected for three years in
West Virginia.
1t is not with this class of men,
who hail with joy an occasion for
knitting the Amendment that we
have to do; but with men who are
loyal to the principles of the Pro-
hibition party, but who believe the
exegencies of the hour demand a
temporary surrender of party
action.
The wisdom or unwisdom of
such policy, can only be determin.
ed by a consideration of the point
to be gained, the ground to be sur
rendered, together with the proba-
bilities Of accomplishing the end
desired.
The point to be gained, is the
ratification of the Amendment; the
ground to be surrendered, party
organization. The probabilities
can only be determined by sur
rounding circumstances and con-
tingencies that are likely to arise.
THE WISE GENERAL.
He is q wise general who care
fully gauges his own strength, as
we'll as that of the enemy; who
recognizes the possibilities of de-.
feat, as we'll as the probabilities of
victory; who carefully scans the
field, and occupies the position that
gives him the best vantage ground
during the entire conflict. To de.
sert this ground for another less
safe, for the sake of temporary ad-
vantage, would be fatal folly.
Those familiar with the facts
know that the organization of the
Prohibition party secured the cleo.
ton Of a Legislature that after d.
vers strategic movements on the
part of the politicians, submitted
the Amendment, rather than be
drawn into the statutory Ambus-
cade" planned by its friends.
And it is an open secret that
party prohibitionists led the forces
IN this fray and furnished the
nnews of war.
A call was issued in good faith
on the part of Prohibitionists for
non partisan F." Conference to
plan for the ratification of the
Amendment.
Plans were laid and a Central
and Executive Committee, COM
posed ct representative men from
all parties, appointed to carry them
1t is not necessary to detail the
miscarriage of these plans, occa-
stoned by the distrust and apathy
Oh the avowed friends of the meas
are in the old parties, including,
with a few honorable exceptions,
those who participated in the Con-
ference and pledged themselves to
carry out its provisions.
A leading non.partisan" friend
OF the Amendment afterwards de-
elared in open conference, that pro-
hloltionists had done their part
and that the failure was entirely
que to the unwillingness of Repub-
means and Democrats, favoring the
measure, to cooperate with them.
This condition of affairs contin-
ued until the Executive Committee