New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-01
REAL PEOHIBITION and HHAM PROHlBI
TIONISTS

~
TIONISTS
Governor Green and wOuld-be Governor
Fisk unite in opposing the Republican Option
License bill in ew-Jerscy.. This Is natural;
they united in eecting MIR. Green Governor.
General Fisk by running rs candidate when
he knew he could not be elected, gave to
Democrat the power to veto any prohibItory or
other temperance legislation, and it Is but fair
that he should now sustain the veto message
sent in by the man he then made Governor.
Naturally lie processes TO be Jealous for the
cause of temperance. and 30 does Governor
Green. The Governor thinks Prohibition
would not help the temperance cause, and the
defeated candidate thinks Prohibition will
never prohibit unless political ProhlbitiOnists
are chosen to hold the Offices. There is entire
harmony also regarding the license feature;
che Governor thinks it travcdy to call the
measure a high license bill, and the defeated
candidate on the same day expresses the same
opinion to his delighted convention Of assistant
Democrats.
The message of Governor Green will have
40 effect in the Legislature to which it is sent.
because its objects are only those which were
carefully examined by ADLER lawyers than the
Governor before tho bill passed. The
criticism Of his helper, General Fisk, will help
TO convince sincere temperance men in New
jersey that the politicians who are asking
CIicc, on the prctcnce that they alone are IN
earnest on the temperance question, and whose
efforts have for years been carefully directed to
elect the candidates Of the rum shops arc not
friends Of temperance in fact. whatever they
may be il. intent If Prohibition is desirable
and needed, as General Fisk processes to be-
hcvc, he and his associates ought TO rejoice
with exceeding great joy and thankfulness
that either of the two political parties has been
ablc to carry a measure to provide for Prohibi
ton in every county where the majority OF the
people vote for it. Right there is the touch
stone of his sincerity. He dcnOunccs the meas
IRE, in spite Of all the good it may do, because
it does not smooth the pathway to office for him
and his friends.
Contrast this unabashed self-seeking, this
persistent betrayal of a cause to its enemies,
with the brave and self-sacrifcing conduct of
the Republican Legislators. Well they knew
that the so called Prohibitionists did not want
to help the cause Of temperance, but to get Office
through breaking down the Republican party.
Well they knew that the party could gain
nothing by any legislation in favor Of temper
ancc, save as party always gains in the long
run by doing its duty blavely. Well they
knew that the political Pruhibitionists would
continue to act as practical allies of the liquor
sellers, and would denounce the Republican
party more savagcly than ever. if 1t took any
step to lessen The evils of incompetence without
putting the political Prohibitonsts into Offices
&c tho I oCiclof-
ire did their duty. facing the defeat which
some of them frankly said they expected. Men
OF that stamp are those who move reform
forward and win imperishable honor for their
fidelity whether defeated for the time or not
Men Of the Fisk stamp are those who get in the
way Of every genuine reform by insisting that
it must put them into Office or else its progress
cannot be genuine.