Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-09-13
THE THIRD PARTY.
An Able Document Recently Issued by
Prof. ). n. Fellows.

An Able Document Recently Issued by
Prof. ). y. Fellows.
Prof. Fellows, the noted Iowa Tenn
perance leader, summarizes his objec-
tions to third partyism and his reasons
for supporting the bipartisan method
in the following eloquent manner:
OBJECTIONS TO THE NATIONAL PROHIBITION
PARTY.
/. Its confessed imm N is ito smash
the old political parties"
.. It seeks political success rather than sue
cess or prohibition.
3. 1t has lowered its stand Tor the sake OF
political success.
4. Il deprec ates the work OF ProhibitionIsts
outside OF said party.
5. 1t seems to rejoice in any failure or defeat
of those not IN party.
G. II seeks TO break down prohibition in
States where it has been secured by noa-par-
tisan methods.
z Only one in forty Of Proh.bitionists adhere
to sad party.
g. 1t strives more earnestly to promote Pro-
hibit:on party success than Prohibition senti-
ment.
9. Il man:fests less opposition to the rum
power than TO the Old political parties.
10. It's methods are such as to secure the CO.
operation and support OF those engaged in the
II. Its members assume TO be the only true
Prob bit onists.
IL. II aims to reform PARTIES rather than the
people.
IL. 1t divides the ranks of the Prohibition
lists.
"A. 1t exalts the political at the expense OF the
moral phases Of prohibition.
Is. 1t therefore weakens the support of the
pulpit.
l6 It retards the growth of prohibition senti-
menL.
II. Its methods compel distrust of the sim
cerity OF its leaders
Is. Its methods strengthen opposition 10 the
principle of prohibition.
70. Il is impossible to successfully build
National political party on a single moral
issue.
o. vote cast for the National Prohibition
party, though not so intended, is, therefore, in
its ultimate influence, a vote for the liquor
trB III.
REASONS FOR NON PARTISAN PROHIBITION
METHODS.
/. l. follows the EXAMPLES o: the great lead
ers IN the anti-slavery reform.
=. 1t seeks the success of the principle OF
prohibition rather than OF political party.
3. 1t avoids the expense, waste and doubtful
methods of political organization.
4. 1t elevates the standard OF prohibition as
moral reform.
5. It seeks legal enactment TO protect and
strengthen such said reform.
6. Ii promotes no unnecessary antagonismS.
e 1t rejCices in the success of prohibition
wherever and by whomsoever secured.
g. It secures the hearty and unembarrassed
support of the Christian pulpit.
9. 1t seeks first 10 reform the people who
create parties.
10. II unites the ranks of Prohibit!onists.
II. 1t tends 10 conciliate and WIN the support
of all good citizens
12. 1t accelerates the growth of prohibition
sentiment, without which legal prohibition can
never succeed.
Is. When the people are reformed, the par
ties VIII need no reformation.
IA. When il the State or Nation prohib, ton
sentiment becomes sufficiently strong, It may
utilize in it interests some existing political
party rs in Iowa and Kansas.
Is. Non-partiS san Prohibition SITS may and
should support such political party as can and
will do the most for destroying the liquor
traffic, even though such party is not ready to
fully adopt prohib ton in it.
16 The non partisan method is the quickest
and surest way TO exterminate the liquor trait
tic, as shown in Iowa and Kansas.
S. \. FELLOWS.
President Iowa State Temperance Alliance