The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1888-06-27
PUBLIC OPINION.
THE CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE
r BRCKEN-THE PRESS SPEAKS.


+ BRokEN-THE PRESS SPEAKS.
form and Our Candfdates-Truth and
Falsehood DIingled-we Court Fair Ex-
animation and Welcome just Criticism.
The national Prohibition convention
represents noble idea AS to the evils
of intemperance and the liquor traffic,
there is only one opinion among right
minded people. The vice and the traffic
are responsible for more pauperism, crime,
misery and public and private democrat
ization' than all other causes combined.
They constitute the national curse and
this head would fall short Of the truth,
and the Prohibitionists can rest assured
that on the main question of making war
against the evils Of the liquor traffic a
very large majority of the American peo-
pie are with them.-Indianapolis Journal
Rep.)
There is nothing more pitiful and few
things more irritating than the sight Of
human energy misapplied. And that is
what the national convention Of Prohibi-
tionists, with all it's noble motive. and all
its deep emotion, and all its unselfsh de-
termination. amounts to. 1t Is a waste of
what Is most precious in life. 1t Is an at
tempt to make pleasing shade by forc-
ing trees to grow with their branches en-
the air. 1t is the perpetual motion ma
chine. applied to one of our social prob
1ems The Prohibition convention at
indianapolis, which has just put in the
field candidates for president and vice
president. did nothing notable except to
further assume the garb Of real political
clude most Of the issues Of the time. And
the abstract or in the concrete.-St. Paul
Press Rep)
The large attendance at the convention
Tested in its proceedings indicate that the
themselves felt In the national canvass
Kansas City Star Qnd)
The Prohibitionists are at least entitled
to great credit for readiness to prove their
fnth by their works. There can be no
doubt Of the honesty Of conviction of the
men who "go down into their pockets" in
aid Of the hobby they espouse, as did the
Prohibitionists in their national conven-
tion at Indianapolis. Where mans
money goes his heart has gone already
Milwaukee Owls. Republican.
The Prohibition party, as any one who
reads can see. will be stronger in this
presidential campaign than ever before,
and It's strength viii be taken almost In
bulk from the Republicans, for cardinal
min c}r1a Of tho D>p, ,o WV o,>,><,
sition to sumptuary laws and infringe
Ratchet Oem.)
Our good friends of the national Pro-
mbition party forget that the main issue
they present to the country Is from the
best of all reasons-practicability-amor moral
and local and not political question. Of
course they will learn this after q while,
but In the meantime the lessons will be
costly and far from edifying .-Florida
Times Union (Dem.)
One or the other of the two great par
ties. II not both in turn, will be fought
that success at tho polls lies In yielding
to whatever is practicable in the demands
of those who regard whisky bondage as
having taken the place of human slavery
as the vital question of the hour. It
would be first taught this lesson. Many
of its leaders are certainly doing what in
them lies to invite it.-Chicago News
Qnd.)
While the party to be led by President
Cleveland has temporary advantage in
this immense Prohibition propaganda,
that party must not forget it has NO
hostages in the camp of the brewers and
distillers. Its own safety lies in entire
freedom from whisky rule The cold
water movement may be more than O
third party. No wise man dare say Pro
bibition is not advancing Democrats
cannot afford to stand in the way Of any
really popular movement. If the states
shall desire to close the saloons, the Dem.
ocratic party has not an objection to offer.
Chicago Herald Qnd.)
The Prohibition movement will proba
bly, figure more conspicuously in the ma.
tional campaign Of this year than 1t has
ever done before. There is no doubt but
that the third party has gained consider.
able strength during the past few years,
and while. of course, it's vote will be de.
cidedly insignificant In comparison with
that polled by the other two parties, yet
its canvass will be the most active it has
ever made, and its candidates for presi
dent and vice president will. it is ex-
pected- receive a larger vote than any OF
their predecessors. Constitution
IDem-)
The nomination of Gen Clinton B.
Fisk. of New Jersey. for president was q
foregone conclusion. He Is q man of ma.
tionh reputation. of stainless life and OF
presidential size. his great mistake and
misfortune being that he left the Repub