New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-23
THE Duty OF THE MORAL FORCES.

THE DUTY OF THE MORAL FORCES.
Ii is not q step backward that has been taken
in the last week The cause Of temperance mas
no trer wiser nor better friends than some oi
those who took leading part in the defeat OF
Prohibition in Rhode Island and Pennsylvania,
They acted deliberately, consientiously. prayer
fully, and with larger survey OF facts ana
more accurate Judgment Of practical results
than those appear to have possessed who count
e1 mon success but were beaten by nearly
200, 600 votes in Pennsylvania and nearly
three 20 one in Rhode Island. Nor have good
citizens any right in their efforts for reform to
be entirely blind or Indifferent to impossible
tiles. II is no part Of their duty to waste the
reforming force of the world in attempting alb
sudites.
Power for good is sacred trust for which
leaders or voters have to give account. There
is not any too much of it in the world at any
time, or even in this favored country. IL
every atom of that power is used in exactly the
right direction and manner, and at the right
tiIle, still there would never be found too much
of it. The man who has only seed enough Tor
his fertile land, and scatters half orlt IN SWalnps
or on rocks, wastes his property. but he also
robs others of bread. lie who has no more than
enough Of the needed remedy to protect
threatened city against peStilence, and throws
half Of it away out Of spite, because the city
will not make him sole or chief surgeon is per-
sonally guilty if disease sweeps away precious
lives So Of moral forces upon which the cOnn-
try must depend for uplifting. true progress
and removal Of evils which curse mankind; he
who wastes his force is guilty.
The fore which carried constitutional Pro-
hibit;on in Rhode Island would have suficed
to pass and faithfully enforce any license law
or other nIea sure Of restraint II was thrown
away in al attempt to accomplish an impossl-
bility in that State Of crowded cities and towns.
Not only have three years been thrown away,
but also the moral and political force Of men
who will never command the same confidence
again. Union of all sincere friends of temper
ance in PENNSYLVANIA would have passed and
thoroughly enforced any license aud local
option law whatever, even il the present High
License law. which produces excellent results, is
not all that it should be. But the time, money,
mental effort. and the moral influence and
leader ship OF great body Of citizens were
thrown away, a sacred Trust tossed to the winds
10 believe it their duty to attempt impossible
tiles. and Others did not take the trouble to learn
tina, Prohibition was at that time an lmpoSsi-
bility.
Nuw heie Is occasion for sober reflection
Are the friends of temperance 10 frtter away
whatever influence they have in future by per
Msting in divisions which destroy their inhu-
ence and In impossible attempts which make
practice citizens look upon them with amaze
ment? There is no use in trying to hide the
fact tina. the cause Of temperance generally Is
fass becoming identified in the minds OF COM
mons sense voters with the leadership N half
crazy impracticables. who will not see that they
are damaging the very thing they profess to
love Can there not be rescue Of the cause
from public censure? VIII not its sincere and
sensible friends unite their efforts hereafter
for measures which can be carried, and when
carried can be enforced?