Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-08-17
POLITICAL
Il Dfshonest CHnree.


An attempt to make the republican party
out "free whisky party IS dishonest. The
newspapers which started this hue aud cry
have studiously ignored the essential facts Of
the situation. If the democratic national
convention had followed the long line Of dem
Ocratie presidents, in opposing internal reve-
nue. taxation, and had demanded the repeal
OF the present system, in that case there
would have been ground for the charge that
It was a demand for free whisky" The
democratic party mas always fought every
effort 70 restrict the liquor traffic. It's repre-
sentatlves in The stale legislatures are Al
ways 10 he found solidly nassed against any
Dill 70 regulate the saloon aud check intern
perance. Whenever republican legislatures
pass such bill a democratic governor can be
relied upon, as We have the misfortune TO
know 10 this state. 10 veto &C., 10 please the
liquor dealers i his has been the Uniform
history Of liquor legislation every where.
except in some Southern states. The demo
cratic party Is always to b. found In opposition
10 such legislation. Just as IL is alwats 10 be
found IN opposition TO Lex station against
frauds upon the ballot. There is nothing in
the history OF ilie party 10 suggest that II II
were In position TO abolish Internal revenue
taxation, 10 would apply other forms Of
taxation 60 the traffic, TO keep il within
bounds On the contrary, there is everything
In its history 10 make Il practically certain
that T. would do nothing IN this direction.
This is why a demand in the democratic plat
form Tor the abolition of the internal revenue
system might, with good reason, have seemed
10 be a call for free whisky"
But the republican party stands Ia an en-
tirely different attitude toward the liquor
question. and the demagOgue newspapers
which have raised this cry know it perfectly
well. There Is not the slightest reason TO
suppose that the abolition of the internal
revenue would mean easier times for the
whisky traffic, wherever the republican
party had power TO control IL. That party has
always used the full strength of its orgauiza-
lion 20 restrict the traffic and, in the remote
event OF the repeal OF the present Ieueful tax
All enlarged system Of state aud municipal
taxation would follow II, as naturally and as
surely as day follows night. The result
would be that a great revenue, which the
federal government does not need and does
not know what TO do with, could be diverted
10 tightening the load Of municipal taxation
and deOt-the chief burden OF the people
But, because the Chicago platform did not
project itself far enough into the dim future
10 promise this, the charge is made that the
party favOTs Tree whisky" There never
was a more dishonest pretrnse, and il was
especially unfair, because, as the platform
shows, the abolition of the internal revenue
is referred TO, not as an Immediate policy, TO
which the party is definateiy committed, but
as a step which the republicans would rather
take than give up he protective system.
Every faIr-mluded man must admit that this
alternative is a long way off.
One striking proof can be given OF the dis
honesty OF certain newspapers in their treat
ment of this question. THIS is the difference
in their attitude toward the republican and
the prohibition parties, respectively, on this
very point. The abolition of the internal
revenue system is Il leading article in the
creed Of The prOhibitiOnists, and
is 80 simply because they want to
see the whisky tax removed. They
believe the traffic TO be unhOly and oppose
any recognition Of It in the shape of tax.
Many thousands Of republicans share this
view, who still remain in the party, because
they believe IL has done and can do aud viii
do more for temperance than any other. The
national prohibition convention in Indian
apOlis made a most solemn demand for the
''immediate' abolition of the internal rcYen-
ne system whereby our national govern
ment is deriving support from our greatest
national vice" We have examined the plat
forms adopted by many Of the prohibition
state conventions. held ia advance of the ma
tiOual convention, and not one OF them ia lis
10 repeat this demand in some form. Yet
none Of these newspapers has charged the
prOhi bitiOn lists with being free whisky
party. There would have been just as good
reason in the one case as in The Other-Jhat
is To- say. no reason at all.
We are confident that men like the Rev.
DR.. S!Orrs, the Rev. DR.. CUYler and others, who
have hastily condemned he Chicago platform
on this ground, viii see, upon further exam
nation that thcy have been mislcd by the
clumOr of u few part iSan newspapers, which
were at loss 10 know upon what plausible
protest they could continue their opposition 10
the republican party, and cutcheu at this
plant, as drowning man catches ut a straw.
These men are too intelligent not to see that
they have done the temperance party an In-
injustice, aud We trust 20 their sincerity 10
acknowledge it.-Ae.0 YORK Iyibgyc.