The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-19
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
The Tripartite Cont1ict.


To the Editor of the Indianapolis journal
Such seems to be the nature of the contest
that is before the people of Indiana in the COM
ing season. It is battle of the Republicans,
the Democrats and the third party, or temper
ance people
No thoughtful well-wisher of the temperance
cause can look upon the shape the contest is
assuming without deep solcitude. To any IN
jaundiced eve the temperance cause is the ono
that is likely to come out of the conflict
worsted. It will not be destroyed, but it will
be seriously crippled and set back, SO that In
stead of going forward with the strength we
have now, tina coming years must be occupied
in regaIning what we have lost
Is there any chance now to reason upon the
subject Can strong temperance man now
talk to another with any chance of being heard.
and without being impugnedl For one. think
wise men, we ought to reason together and
try to conserve the strength have. and not
fritter IL away, nor In the madness of the
hour dash our hopes to the ground
There Is one thing it seems to me that it be-
hOoves us all at this time TO bear in mind. and
that Ia that there is vast difference in prin-
ciples and the methods by which we
are to maintain and strengthen them How
ever just nation may be in it's cause. If IL Is
wise it will well consider it's methods, it's
strength and other matters before il marches to
the fields of conflict. Otherwise very great
nation may be overthrow by q very insignia
cant one--and the greater come to serve the
lesser.
1t is time for US to read over Thucydides
again, and see how the weak combined with the
strong and how Earring differences were for the
time laid aside, and all power united for the ac-
complishment of what at the time seemed to be
the supremest interest.
Many are willing and waiting TO be guided by
such policy. For the third party buck up
against the Republican party, and say will
defeat or destroy you is like a ship saying to
Gibraltar, get out of my way.
Would it be far better to leave the Repub-
lican party untrammeled and free to contend
with its monster foea To cripple 1t is to cripple
the best friend we have in the Fl eld and the
only power that can be looked to with hope when
the final crisis comes in our legislative halls.
There are many good temperance Democrats.
but the party. SUCH has already, again and
again. issued its pronunciamento, and we know
we can expect nothing from il such. The Re-
publican party has, again and again, marched to
the mouths of its cannons and received Its dead.
Iy fire only to be driven back by superior
bers. Witness all our attempted recent legsla-
ton, since 1873, for illustration. What folly
therefore, to direct the FIRE of the temperance
batteries against such gallant allies.
Il is rare thing for nation To be born in
cay, rarer thing for parties to be born die in
day. The temperance sentiment is plant of
slow growth. 1t touches both upon the habits
aud sentiments of men-as many think. upon
personal Iiberty-three powerful strongholds in
the very life OF the people Would il not be best
to note this law of growth and go slowly,
fully, and surely forward, rather than to be
blghting it ever and anon, by injudicious cult
urel
In word, we are profoundly impressed with
the conviction that the less the temperance
cause has to do with politics il it's present stage
of ADVANCEMENT the better. Our mission
would seem TO be the creation and widening of
public sentiment in it's favor. If we can discern
this wisest aud most immediate work,
the will receive immense advancement,
even in the next six months i'm our State
II we this course, then let the temper
cause stand separate and apart-not as a
political aspirant to power, but as a formative
movement looking a public sentiment that
will, without everrecurrng contests, entnrone
temperance as the settled policy of the State.
But above all, let throw away the idea that
we must murder some party" to get to the
throne or avenge our madness.
SPENCER Ind. b. r. RAwI,rNS