The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1888-08-22
A Democrat Gives Reasons tor
His New Faith.
Why Christian Voters Can no
Longer Consistently Vote
with either of the old
Parties.
RoNCEvERTE, W. Va, Aug. IL.

Louis Democratic Convention we
had hopes that this great party,
second to none in the history of
American political Institutions
would insert positive temperance
PLANK in it's National platform.
We expected this, as stroke of
policy, if not as the outgrowth Of
conviction But we were doomed
to disappointment. This party not
only refused to insert such plank
but treated the subject with silent
contempt, as though it was not
worthy of notice as political issue.
The absence of any allusion to the
subject, forces all reasonable men
to infer cowardice. If the party
had any convictions, pro or
con, it had not the courage to speak
them out boldly. They have thus
presented an indictment against
themselves. Then, they throw
themselves upon the mercy of the
Court.
They have prepared themselves
to say to the Liquor dealers in the
North, "We are not against you,"
and to say to the Temperance ad-
vocatesSin the South, eve are not
against you" That is, "Heads l
win, tails you loose" Every hon
est American citizen demands NOR,
al courage in the organization thai
bids for his patronage. The
Prohibition of the Liquor Traffic is
a legitimate political issue, now
before the American people. The
party that has not the courage to
deal with it, can not be trusted
with the liberties and social inter
ests of the people. But this issue
not only affects our liberties land
social interests but our financial
interests more than the Tariff ,
issue does. The Republican party
is in the same boat. One party cry
ing out, "Tariff Reform )" the other,
Tariff Protection !" But, both ig
noring the more important issue,
"Home Protection" They both
look askance at the third party"
movement; but say, eve may get
burnt, if we handle that faggot."
But to my story, since both par
ties have ignored the issue, we
have but one hope left for Prohibi-
ton. Just as the Wings, had but
one hope of prohibiting slavery,
when their party failed in moral
courage; that was to throw their
whole influence with the party that
did have the moral courage to deal
honestly with the issue. This Is
precisely what every conscientious
Christian gentleman must do, if he
is true to his Master.
1t does seem very strange to me,
that one would halt between two
opinions in such case. 1t is the
duty of every Christian man, to
put his labor and his influence, in
the direct line of his best faith.
God will not bless any man who
labors contrariwise to his faith.
No rlatter what sacrifice lies be-
tween US and our duty. we must
make it, if we ldesire Christ to
own us when we stand before the
bar If a sin avenging God. He
will demand Of US, just as minute
ly, "How did you Vote ?" as. Glow
did you Liver" The true doctrine
is this, let every man be fully per-
suaded in his own mind, az to his
Christian duty in the premises,
then let him not waver for one
moment. This is characteristic of
the brave and true soldier, Any
thing less is base moral cowardice.
Neither can such change be at all
considered desertion of ones party
1t is simply a piece Of bad faith
upon the part of the party, and
no Christian dares to follow his
party blindly, if his faith points
out better line of action. Parties
may change, and they do change,
but the principles of Right, as
laid down in Gods book of Truth,
have never changed, nor can they
ever change A Christian is bound
by bond no less than that of his
union with Christ, sealed with his
n-o llool Th;s hond