New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-01
THE DUTY or TAMPEEANCe MEN.


Genuine friends of the Temperance cause
have especial reason at this time to consider
the situation. and their duty in regard 70 1t.
Have they not far too long refused TO the he'
publican party the confidence and support TO
which it is Justly entitled. as the political party
in which are to be found great majority OF the
practical friends of Temperance reform az inc
North. and through which alone that majority
can accomplish any good2 To make the STU
uation clear let it be supposed that the votcrs
of the great parties are actually DIVIDED on INC
ouestion of effective restrctlon OF the hquor
traffic as their representatives in the Legs
latdre were divided 65 Republicans Tor the
restriction and seven against 1t. one Democra'
for restriction ahu SIS against it, Ii there arc
more Democrats who believe they ought 10
help restrictive legislation, they nevertheless
do not practically help it, because they support
party which always and by all means in It's
oower opposes such legislation. Aboul ono
twelfth of the Republicans oppose High-Li-
cense; eleven-twelfths favor it
The grea, body of Republicans 6oo'ooo or
more. cannot be brought to throw away Their
influence on National questions. and feel tha'
il is their duty to sustain the Republican party
on such issues. BY their votes they de-
monstrate that they are willing to 60 quite as
far in the direction of temperance legs
lation as thew can 60 with hope OF command
ing the support of majority in the State.
With a courage and fidelity which ought to
give them the admiration and warm approval
of all right-thinking citizens they have passed
\ measure which one-twelfth of their asso-
ciates believe must doom the party to certain
defea. In the State of New-Jersey the he
nublicans have lust taken the same course and
faced the same risk. Have they not night 10
ask in return the hearty cooperation OF all
sincere temperance men even OF those VINO
are anxious to reach Prohibition when ma
| iority can be secured for that measure?
The $4,000 voters III New-fork constitute
the great majority of the sincere and active
friends of temperance reform They feel thai
lbey have right rather than the minority
to iudge in VIVA, way the reform may best be
nromoled. Let it be understood that the voters
are referred to- not the politicians nor the
worthy members of the Assembly who have
faithfully represented the only OF tneii
constituents. but the great body of conscien-
| tious intelligent. earnest ana palrlo'ic Vo'eI'
who elect Republican Assemblymen' and who
make the Republican party what 1t Is 1heh
influence for good can be exercised as TO the
Temperance question, only through the Natona'
party which they feel bound not to ABANDON
| Can anv sincere friend of temperance help that
cause by making war on these votersf Is II
| nossibI, TO hone for the enactment or enforce
| ment of any temperance measure IN New ors
without their cooperation? Is not making
war on them evidently and deliberately sur
rendering control OF the State TO the supporters
Of the liquor trafic2
The political Prohibitionists, who get
living and public notorietJ by advocating
| different course. will not be affected by TINS
reasoning They will continue to clamor fol
| Prohibition or nothing. and they know per
| fectly well that means free rim-shops. bu'
has any sincere and conscientious friend Of
Temperance legislation right to sustain thest
men any further in a course which can only
result in the defeat of all temperance leglsla-
ton. and in the election Of legislators and loca
| officials who will act as the tools OF the liquor
| interest 4? 1t is now time for such temperance
| men 10 think Of these things. with careful ano
conscientious examination OF the fac,s They
have no right to join the Democrats and Tho
liouor saloons in making war upon the great
body of faithful and courageous Republican
voters, who are doing all they believe it pos
sibe to do for the restriction of the liquo
traffic. They have no right. on any pretenc'
whatsoever TO turn over the control of Gov
eminent in this State to the liquor interest
In New-York and New-Jelsey the great bod,
Of Republican voters have done their duty
1t is now for every honest and sincere friend o
temperance to do his duty, by supporting tn
only party through which practical progress
can be attained.