The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1888-01-04
THE AMENDMENT BATTLE.
A view From Without the Circle.

1t often happens that person
who is standing just outside of a
given circle can note transactions
with a more certain Judgment than
those within the circle. This
is in some degree the case as to
myself and the Amendment issue
coon to come before our people.
While my heart is with the move.
ment, and while l write some fol
the awakening of some and the
encouragement Of others, and while
never fail to defend and uphold
it as a righteous measure; still, I
am not recognized as an Amend.
ment worker. Thus l am just out
side the "circle," and often witness
the workings, both without, as
well az within, better than | could
do if l were even leader of the
rank and file. rtI0rr FTg
Often within the past two
months have I been upon the eve
of writing letter to he lcade~-
imploring them not tc make any
fight for the offices, fol oar of IN
juring the prospects of the Anne nd
ment. But each time l was re-
strained from doing SC, by the re.
membrance that it is Gods work.
If it is better for the cause to fight
for the Offices, as well as for the
principles of truth and justice by
which this Amendment issue is
supported, God will put it into
the minds and hearts Of the leaders
to call out candidates to fill them
if not He will deter them from 70
doing,
Well, the com mittee met at Graf.
ton and determined to hold a con.
vention to settle upon suitable can
didates, with view of filling The
offices with known friends. AS
soon as this fact was published we
hear the leaders of both the old par
ties say, as follows: ,.. ...
That settles the Amendment
business. They have now made it
political question. was in hopes
they would leave every man free 10
vote conscientiously upon this is-
sue. l did intend to vote for it,
but now will vote squarely
against it. l sincerely hoped that
it would carry, but now | earnestly
hope that it will be soundly de
feated."
Strange to say, too, they both
have about the same things 10 say
about it, Here are two great par
ties claiming the SURFACES of free,
educated and religious people, and
still attempting to incite and en-
courage the rank and file of their
respective parties, to vote against
righteous measure ESQ confessed y
their own declaration) simply be
cause a third party comes before
the people, asking for their suf-
frages. Did any one ever hear tell
of more contemplate species of
'demagogism ?"
There is not an ounce of Demo-
oracy or Republicanism in such
position. But what does it mean ?
LIST. That these leaders were not
sincere in stating that they desired
the Amendment to succeed, or that
they intended to support it.
End. These very leaders have
been urged by their consciences to
vote for and support the Amend
ment as just ana righteous meas
ure, and now they desire upon this
silly pretext to quiet their con-
science. The Devil cares very lit
tie how silly and contemplate his
servants are in the sight of God
and man, but he is very careful to
hide those facts behind some mask
so the servants do not realize them.
3rd. They think the rank and
file may be held together in solid
body by waving this foolish and
wicked pretext before their eyes.
4th. They know that this
Amendment measure would be
practically a dead letter" upon
our statute books, even if it did
carry, so long as our laws were to
be enforced by its open enemies.
But now they will defeat it, not
because it is a bad measure, but
for fear this Prohibition party may
eoo,ra oo,,oa Of tho oGoao and tbon