The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1888-02-15
AN OPEN LETTER.
Reply To An Appeal To
Fight Against The
Third Party.


LIGHTBURN, W. VA, Feb. Is, '88.
EDITOR FREEMAN:
"You must fight against the organi-
cation of the "Third Party" in this
State, if you really desire the success
of the Amendment"
The above is an extract from
letter Just to hand. We're it the
only one I have received placing
such an injunction upon me, I
might keep silent, but as other let
tiers, notes, &C., have come to me
from kind friends embodying about
the same matter as the above, and
not having answered any of them
directly or indirectly, l by your
permission will do SO through the
columns of The FREEMAN.
The fact is Mr.. Editor, I have
but little patience with those pro-
fessed friends of the Amendment
who are continually harping on the
supposed danger awaiting the
Amendment through the organiza.
ton of the third, or Prohibition
party. 1t is evident that the imag-
ined danger to their old political
associations or party through the
organization of the Prohibition
party causes them more tremor
than the fate of the Amendment.
My friend, as quoted, says l must
fight the third party. Why SOP
AS advocates of the Amendment
are we banded together to make
war on each other, or on parties as
parties2 The question before US is
the adoption or rejection of the
proposed Amendment to the organ
ic law governing our State, the Con-
stitution. Constitutions are not
framed for any particular party, but
to work equal justice to all men.
Therefore to vote on the question
Of amending the Constitution, is
in no sense party vote, nor have
any party organizations as such
claimed the exclusive champion.
ship for or against the measure j;
then why should l or any friend
OF the Amendment single out the
Prohibition party to make war
upon it9 Is that party not found
ed on principles of right and JUS
tice? 1t was organized to meet
and settle if possible, a great social
political problem which advancing
civilization has brought to the
front. The organization is Nation
al in its character; it's pathway is
the advancement in Government
] by repelling encroachments Of evil
tendencies which threaten the
submergence of good government.
10 day our system of government
In the large cities of the Nation is
"a pronounced failure; so stated by
Some of our wisest statesmen.
Again, l ask why should we an
3tagonize this party, embodying as
Pt does the principles of good gov
ernment as every true friend of the
amendment must admit? There
rs not l presume a single voter or
advocate of the principles held by
me Prohibition party, in West
Virginia, who is not a stalwart
worker for the adoption OF the
amendment. As individuals or as
party, they demand not the with
2rawal of any political organization
Prom the fight before US for the sue
sess of the Amendment. They
Qake no war on the friends of the
amendment, he they in what par
y they may; as party it only
ssks for it's right to exist. 1his
ght cannot be withheld. 1t is
r.esumptuous On the part of any
lend or foe of the Amendment, to
~ that the Prohibition party has
not the same right to existence as
possessed by the old parties. He
no says he will "stab the amend
enr if the "Third Party" does
pr disband in this State, never
Pc true friend to the measure.
Otherwise he would not barter
lnciples so cheaply. The Amend
lent question should com promise