The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-06-06
The Prohibition Platform.

The Prohibition Platform.
As a literary performance the prohibit
tion platform is admirable. 1t Is tcrse,
incisive, clear-cut, free from antiquities
and equivocstions, and altogether model
OF precision, directness and force. What
ever criticism it invites goes to its matter
and not its manner.
Upon the main question the platform,
of course, takes radical ground. 1t de-
,nands that the manufacture, importation,
expectation and Transportation OF alcoholic
beverages shall be made ''public crimes"
1T declares that this must be accomplished
through amendments to the national and
state constitutions enforced by adequate
laws. Laws do not enforce laws.] 1t
denounces every form oil license or regu-
lation of the liquor traffic as contrary to
good government, and it ''arraigns" the
political parties which support such q
policy as ''foes to the states welfare"
These declarations are sufficiently en-
phatic and explicit, it would seem, to sat
isfy the most relentless enemy of King
Alcohol. The convention, indeed, could
hardly have gone further, except by de-
neutrality-suspicious. inkingof liquor, like the
making and selling OF it, be treated as a
public crime" No doubt, ii the commit
tee had incorporated such demand in the
resolutions, the convention would have
given its hearty approval. For these good
people have devoted themselves so long TO
contemplation of the evils of liquor, that
their sense OF moral perception and pro-
portion has become perverted, and to their
distorted vision the drinking OF glass of
beer or wine is a mortal sin, not much if
any, above the grade of theft or falsehood
or adultery. People OF one idea are prone
10 such incongruities. Perhaps, consid-
ering the morbid frame OF mind which
is chronic with the prohibitionists, they
should be complimented upon their mod
Grafton in not insisting that the drinking
OF spirits should be made a capital offense
Ut is 10 that complexion, however, that
they would bring us at last, if they had
the power.
The salient feature of the platform, next
TO the liquor planks, is the woman suffrage
clause. This was the occasion of an earn
est contest, but the suffragists were in a
large majority, and despite the arguments
and warnings and entreaties of the
minority they insisted upon going the
full lengths. Here they made a serious
blunder and one that will cost their ticket
many thousands of votes. Their action
cannot be justified either upon grounds Of
principle or expediency. For if they are
sincere in asserting that the one vital
issue of the day is the liquor question, and
that in it are involved the welfare and very
life OF society, they are clearly unfaithful
20 their cause in complicating it with an
entirely distinct issue, and thus increasing
the difficulties that surround it. The
strenuous opposition to this course that
was manifested in the convention was OF
itself conclusive as to its ineXpediency.
The convention certainly displayed neither
consistency nor sagacity in this matter.
In demanding the repeal of the internal
revenue system the convention betrayed a
singular incapacity TO grasp the proper
relations of things. The mental
processes by which the prohibition
lists arrive at the conclusion that they
would deal the whisky interest heavy
blow by relieving it of the heavy taxes it
now bears are incomprehensible to the
average mind. We will not attempt to
fathom them.
The remainder OF the platform is mostly
excellent, and in line with the best
thought of the day. Upon the civil ser
vice, the labor question, polygamy and
1nonopolies, the convention took the same
view that both parties always take in
their platforms, and that the democratic
party, at least, tries to enforce.
Taken as a whole the platform is a
unique piece of political literature. 1t is
2 very elaborate deliverance for a party
that was ostensibly organized for the ac-
complishment of single object, and we
can but think that it would have been in
1initely more effective if it had been de-
voted solely TO this object