Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1888-03-08
GENERAL FISK
On the Necessity of a National Prohibi-
tory Party.

On the Necessity of National Prohibi-
tory Party.
General Clinton b. Fisk, at the High
License Prohibition debate in the
Brooklyn Academy of Music, few
days ago, after briefly citing instances
proving the falsity of Dr. Carroll's as
sertion that Prohibitionists do not take
part in and encourage Local Option
and non-partisan Prohibition move
ments, said:
1--WE are all agreed touching one
thing-that the liquor traffic is the one
great overshadowing evil of these
times The New York Tribune says it
is the heaviest clog on the progress of
our country. Sooner or later it will be
necessary for the intelligent and pro-
gressive elements of society to drop all
lesser enterprises and combine in one
determined assault upon it The in
tclligcnt and progressive elements of
society are more and more believing
that successful assault upon the great
evil can be made only by massing in a
National Prohibition party. The liquor
traffic is intrenched in national politics.
The Nation is the senior partner in the
manufacture of liquors. Neither old
party will grapple with the monstrous
evil which says to each, Keep your
hands off me or ! will rend the one
more hostile to me by defeat, and give
70 frin lu
ton
1.-The liquor traffic entered national
politics in 1851. The distillers and bar
tenders held their first national con-
vention and declared their purpose ito
be the organization of a political party
to resist the enforcement, secure the
repeal and resist the enactment of all
temperance and Sunday laws The
leaders in both the old Wing and DEM
ocratic parties said with great prompt
ness, What do you want of new par
ty? We are both with you, and the
party to which you will give the most
votes will do the best by you. Two
years later. when the liquor conven-
ton at Cleveland declared, that liquor
men could vote for no candidate who
is not pledged to oppose in earnest and
with decision the enactment of prohib-
itory laws, the Democratic party has
tened to place itself on record as the
friend and protector of the saloon. and
has ever since kept its word.
''In 1872 the Republican National
platform was so constructed as to place
the party in hostility to all 'so-called
temperance and Sunday laws and the
president of the Liquor Association
said in contemplating this action: 4
believe that it is only a question OF
time, and our entire Nation, Govern
ment and people will bow with affection
and respect to the genial and benei-
cent reign of King Gambrinus.'
..The liquor interests established its
headquarters in Washington, placing
there one of the ablest men their money
could buy, with instructions to defeat
all National legislation prejudicial to
the liquor traffic. We of the National
Temperance Society can testify with
what fidelity Louis Schade has dis
charged his duty. 1t has been lmpossi-
bic as yet, with all the efforts we could
concentrate. to secure the appointment
of non-partisan commission to inquire
into the effects of alcoholic drinks upon
our people. When some indiscreet,
conscientious Republican had spoken
out in meeting against this tyranny
and arrogance of the liquor traffic,
their famous orator said: "Should
separation from polluted Republican
party become necessary, even if only
for the especial purpose to crush pro.
hibitory laws and procure condemna-
ton at the seat of the Federal Govern.
ment of all compulsory measures, il
becomes important to consider where
we can look either for new political
connections with an existing party, OF
for the material for the organization Of
new one The dominant party tc
this insolence replied simply: DOM
think of moving out of the family man.
sion: take the best rooms for your.
selves Further speaking of the polit.
ical affiliations of the liquor-dealers,
Mr.. Schade said: .Three-fourths OF
them are Repub!icans I'VE can count
:. upon Tsir-proacttonsto the industry
which contributes SO largely toward
sustaining the Government and as.
sure YOU in general that the bonds OF
good will between the Government
and ourselves are more solid than
ever And he spoke truthfully, for in
that same year the National COMMITTEES
of the Republican party. turned away
from its council at the National Con.
vention at Chicago an embassy which
carried in its portfolio the fate of the