Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-01-06
The Prohibition Advance During 1887
(Toledo Dlade.)

| The PrOhlDlttOn ADVANCE UuTipB 1905.
toledo Dlade.)
The Iyear just closed has been one OF
energetic warfare against the Rum Power.
At the first blush. the superficial observer
might suppose, that the net results were,
on the whole. adverse to Prohibition, be-
cause of the defeat of the campaigns in
Michigan, Texas, Tennessee and Oregon
for the embodiment of Prohibition in their
State constitutions, and the defeat OF the
|, cause in Atlanta. A more careful consid-
, alton of the facts, however, will conyince
the observer that this is apparent only,
, and not real. In the first place, II is obvi-
, Gus that there must have been an enor-
, nous growth Of Prohibition sentiment in
: these states-a growth that has been un-
observed and unrecorded-in order TO
+. render the battle at all possible therein;
, while the tremendous Prohibition vote in
r each of them, lacking IN none but very
3 small percentage OF the total vote oil
8 majority. shows that there has been
mighty increase in public sentiment
! against the Rum Devil and his minions.
q The defeat of the amendment in Micli-
I gan was undoubtedly obtained by corrupt
means; and the fact that local option
: law was at once passed by the Legislature,
and that every county which has yet voted
under that law upon Prohibition has ear.
ried il, and generally by larger majority
e than that given for the amendment last
spring, go to prove that those who nre or
e posed 10 Rum are not dismayed by defeat
]. is truth that crnnot be too clearly an
, derslood that great moral reforms never
go backward in the aggregate. Reverses
do not dlsmay men whose consiences are
g aroused against giant iniquity. Their
- swords are unsheathed for the war, and de.
Is feat In one battle has no deterrent effect
II upon them. As far ns Texas, Tennessee
= and Oregon are concerned, we are con-
= WINGED that the effort for constitutional !
III Prohibition was precipita,ed too quickly.
The work of wakening the masses 10 re-
We aIization of the unnunibered woes that
" spring from the liquor traffic was not SUI
wv 6ciently complete.
Is Speaking broadly, these campaigns were
n not without benefit. The attention o
On every voter of the State was perforct
in drawn sharply to the i.sne. The atten
c. iion, once awakened, will not be likely tc
entirely lapse into Indifference. The work
ne of continuing the agitation will thus bt
grestly facilitated. The time will com,
90 when these States will also sweep The Run
40 traffic out OF existence; and we believe
,63 that that blessed time will come all tin
On sooner because OF the tremendous agita
.97 ton which shook each State from i;s capi-
% tai 10 its boundaries. The conservatism o
the masses, the fear which is always pres
~ ,S5 ent with the people OF changing abrupt.
80 =. the established order OF things, combined
with the falsehood spreads broadcast, an,
~ the corruption pracliced, by the Run
Power, brought defeat to the propose
'0' amendment; but now the agitation can g.
100 on III favor OF Prohibition, while the min
$50 ions Of Rum have ceased their efforts az
~ ~ are resting exhausted alter the struggle.
- What has 1887 done Tor the canse c
. Prohibition? Compare the condition c
@ .,.o the campaign now with what II WAS
100 twelvemo nth ago, and the situation is IN
1.5o oil hope, pregnant with promise. The ell.
en-, alton !" now certainly no worse IN the LOT
Ca States named than It was then. Michiga
hat has lcsl option law, and is rapid
in crushing out the accursed traffic, count
Its by county; while in all States which hav
la local option there have leen decided a'l
O. vances made. There has been but one re
,al ioss-lhe city OF Atlanta; bni the mann'
in which that election was carried has bee
i'll but recently explained in lbere column
M Fraud and falsehood aud corruption VIC
nj there, but they cannot always win. III
ult right il bound TO ninmph, as il will OF
by day in Atlanta. The gains during the ye'
'ose for Prohibition in the whole country obs
u II thls one loss, and far outweighs this sinGl
solitary triumph OF the Rum Power.
to II there is any one lesson taught by u
sn,, years bat etl Tor Prohibition, il is tn
! by Local option is the best method for hghii'
'op- the demon Rum. Ii admits of n conce
one tration Of effort on the part of the frien
by oil Prohibition, who are fighting with let
rests timate weapons-arguments, and proc
rly and reasons TO show the benefits OF Pr
Way hibltion policy; while it is immeasural
of more costly for the Rum Power to hg
ince with its chiel weapons-money. In St'
the campaign, money can be used in the cit
,en- to corrupt the venSl, the vlcious, the u
sive educated classes, with less fear Of dett
tion, and the vote OF these can be made
now oyerbalance the Prohibition msJorit
The elsewhere in the State. This expense
enormously increased where Eight has
rmef he made separately in every county OF
be State; besides. in the country il IL mt
sum more difficult 10 corrupt u Large number
lions voters without deteetioR. ms matter
the policy, local opien presents advanla
COM over any other method oi battling with
ilous Rum Power.
The Local option, however, should he rega
II all ed simply Ms u MEANS 10 AN end--and
re is end, Constitutional Prohibition. II Is
iered educator. The people bscome lhoroug
wrong acquainted with the benefits Of PrUhi
,iness ton. The lies and arguments OF the X
be- Power lose their efficiency. The voters
see that Prohibition does not injnre LEG
mate business; that the masses are
I'D. better and the happier because Of the b