The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-12-13
THURSDAY. DECEMBER 10. 1893.
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND TEMPER.
- ANCE. --.-.a H.

The Democratic party, in mest, If not |
all Of the northern States, has CON-
mitted itself to the service Of the saloon
Interests. The platforms of its State
Conventions usually contain the stereo-
typed deuunciation against "Sumptu-
airy" laws bitter enough to satisfy the
extreme demands of the liquor league.
1t has thus pre-empted, so to speak, all
the support the extreme liquor interest
has to give.
The Republican party has nothing to
gain, but much to lose, by heading in
the same direction with the Democra-
tic party. It cannot gain the conf
dence of the saloon interest. however
much that interest may promise as re-
ward for subscribing it's policies.
1t is never good policy for one party to
follow Its opponents into wrong doing.
Thereby it loses the confidence and
support of its own most reliable friends.
We repeat, therefore, the Republicans
are shut up to the policy of making
sharp, square issues with it's great and
strong adversary, on the saloon ques-
tion, as it did, over thirty years ago, on
the proposed extension of slavery into
the territories. Taking that one vital
question into its care and through brave
unshrinking loyalty to the principle 1t
involved, it became the saviour of the
imperi.led union and the emancipation
of millions Of the human race. 1t did
more than it set out to dO-more, than
at the beginning. it dared promise to
do.
And here is point the true friends
Of temperance ought to carefully con
slider. 1t is not the party which makes
impossible promises that is the party OF
achievement and beneficial progress. II
is easy to write platforms which pro.
mise millennial bliss, but it is much
more serious matter to take
even one step toward the goal we
desire to reach.
We desire to see the Republicans
take the lead prudently, and decisive
ly, toward the suppression and extino-
tion Of that malicious peat Of our civili-
zAtion, the tippling shop. That is the
path to permanent success. In doing this
it has its past glorious record. its pre-
sent righteous and sound principles ani
policies, and its high purpose to con.
serve the successful measures of fuanot
and protection which have brought
our country to it's present condition o.
prosperity, to give it strength. By
taking decisive temperance ground il
will lose comparatively few Of the mel
who voted for Harrison and Morton
and gain from the ranks Of those who
supported the six or seven other nation
al tickets which were in the field. These
cphemeral parties were intended tt
friends of these measures find a strong
permanent party fnyoring its principles
they will nationally give it their sup.
port. or course there are few i'm
practicable men in every organization
but the rule is that men vote for the
party having both the power and tht
will to do what they want to have done
The saloon has fewer friends than
many suppose. Very few, comparative
ly, will leave party to whose general
principles they are attached because il
adds to its policies bene6cent one
which hurts no interest deserving Of
protection. Looking therefore, at th.
anti-saloon movement, as one of intrin-
sic merit, we advise Republican pilots
to head~the grand old ship toward tn,
port of temperance and protection t
the homes of the land.