Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-03-16
MIR. EvARTs ON THE SALOON.


(The Christian Union. Rep.)
We desire 10 call the special attention oil
our readers to Mr.. Evart's ringing denun-
citation on the saloon, which will be found
in our report in another column OF the
meeting of the Law and Order League last
week in Philadelphia. Mr.. Evarts Ia not
only cautious man,but he has superadded
TO personal also professional caution
the caution of a lawyer who is rightly
careful what he says that may commit his
client. man trained 10 the bar and after
ward entering political life almost inevit-
ably and not altogether unjustly comes to
consider his party az his client. He recog-
mixes, and IN our judgment man in Mr..
Eyart's position ought to recognize, the
fact that whatever he says will inevitably
be regarded us representing not merely his
own opinions but also those of a large con-
stituency. or rather those of an organized
party, and that the expression may have
material influence upon its prospects and
tend to Its failure or its success. Caution
In such case is not Inconsistent with
courage; it is very different from timidity,
and is none the less a virtue that it may
easily degenerate intoa a vice. When, there.
fore, such a man as Mr.. Evarts makes 30
vigorous and ringing an indictment OF the
dram shop-a man who always weighs his
words with care, and who would weigh
them with double caution IN his position
and on the eve of Presidential election
his words count for much. We are per-
suaded that they represent none too strong.
ly the growing conviction Of that great
body OF conservative Republicans whose
Judgment will most determine the future
policy and purpose the party. We count
this mtterance, therefore, as one of the most
healthful indications..oi the growing strength
of the anti.saloon movement within Re
publican ranks.
We believe that Mr.. Evart's courage il
fully justified, and that, even on the low
ground of political expediency, the time
is fully come for the Republican party as
party to take the ground which in this
speech Mr.. Evarls has taken, we cannot
but hope and believe for others as we'll ss
for himself. He must be dull eyed Indeed
who does not see that. both in numbers
and in strength of conviction, the party is
growing in these United States which is
determined To restrict the saloons in num-
her and 10 diminish their power for evil,
If not 10 close them altogether. lie ia, If
not absolutely blind, at least unable to see
aiar of. who cannot see that the party oi
The future in America will be an ant,-sa-
loon party, THIS may not be its on y prin-
ciple, but this principle 1t will certainly
both possess and elnbody in its purposes.
In the South the temperance question has
already divided both the negro and the
white vote. II the Republican party were
distinctly and conrageously an anli-saloon
party, il could put itself at the head of
his temperance movement in the South.
Whatever divides The negro vote and the
white v"ie will insure the casting OF the
whole negro vote, aud will give the Re
publican party hope Of a political major
i'y in some of the Southern States. In the
| North conservative and practically anti
| saloon movement would call back from the
Prohibitory party many who have been
driven over TO il, not because OF their faith
in prohibition. but because of their disgust
ats .ime-serving aud evasive policy IN
Republican leaders. It would also win
from the Democratic party, al least in loca
and State elections, not few who regard
the temperance Issue Ms the most impor-
tant issue in State and local elections
The Roman Catholic Church has already
given evidence Of a growing purpose OF
the part Of the hierarchy to use its powe
such Institutions rs your Girard ColIeg,
and your Pennsylvania University, in
slruciing the people in everything tina
can advance and ennoble society. Whel
all this had been seen and applauded you
visitor would pass down your streets an,
find the dranshops at every cornor ant
crowding the cen,ers OF every block. ii
would ask, Where do the inmates OF tn
, almshonse and madhouse and OF the hos
pitals come froD2' How could all thi
food OF misery creep INF And the grog
shops make answer, 1T Is from us.' / car
not understand how year alter year yo
tolerate the presence OF these feedin
grounds oi want, misery. debasement, an
crime IN your midst. Why do you nc
stand behind the Law and Order peopl
who have reduced the number of thes
grogshops and mean TO reduce them more
They are ohild-stealers. One child stole
will inhict pang upon whole nation
and IL will risk everything to save ths
. one child stolen aud given over to iyin
ruin. But I am told that IN Boston, m