The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-02-22
Friday, Feb.r22, 1850.
The Strategic Position and Moral
Power of the Prohibition Party.

1n6 DatLle against Gne Saloon ID
Pennsylvania increases in intensity
and interest weekly-we might say
daily. The situation for whiskey is
at present the most alarming which
that naughty tyrant has ever been
compelled to face. If Pennsylvania
declares in favor of the prohibition
article to her constitution, the days
of rum will indeed be numbered.
Some of the more sanguine temper
ance people believe that the consti-
tutional amendment will be carried
by 100000 majority. While hoping
their anticipations may be realized
we have too much respect for the
power which the rum interest is able
to bring into the fight. If millions
of money can be used to advantage
in the struggle it will be placed there
by the "trade,' as they style the
liquor business.
They had rather lose any other
state in the Union than Pennsylva-
MIA. This state is the keystone in
many ways. 1t is one of the oldest
and largest central states; one of the
most populous and enterprising; the
largest whiskey manufacturing state
in the country; its cities and towns
are among the largest and most
numerous of any of the states; its
commerce and manufactures are
excelled only by those of New York.
and the moral influence Of such
shock to the liquor trade throughout
the whole country cannot be estimat
ed. A prohibition article placed in
the constitution of Pennsylvania
would carry greater moral weight
than prohibatory constitutions in
dozen states on the frontiers. such
as Kansas, Iowa, Rhode Island, etc.
The blow would be so stunning to
the "trade'' that its naughty efforts
would be paralyzed every where.
The very fact that public sentiment
SO cowed the legislature of Pennsyl-
yania that 1t succumbed to the COM
mand of the prohibition element,
ard not only submitted the amend
ment, but assigned day for the cleo.
tion which the friends of the meas
ure indicated, free from all other
questions and issues of a party ma
ture, is an eloquent tribute to the
lifting power of prohibition, and the
value OF the educating agitation
which has been kept up by the Pro-
hibition party for the past eight
years.
Organized as an aggressive, dis.
tinct political party it has been
constant menace to the old parties.
The tricks of their leaders have been
ferreted out and constantly exposed.
The iniquity of the rum trade drag.
ged into the light of day. Their false
statements and sophistries refuted
and exposed; driven from pillow TO
post, the rum party and their tenn
perance apologists have been put to
shame before the face of the public
Such results never could have been
achieved without an exclusive tenn.
perance political party, which is a
constant menace hanging on their
TANKS, quick to take advantage of,
and expose every dishonest move
ment. When there was nothing more
substantial than moral suasion, the
politicians and liquor party were
free to conduct politics as they
please, and if the temperance PEG.
pie didn't like it they were asked
"What can you do about it? If you
don't vote for the ticket your party
has nominated you will have 10 stay
at home or vote for the opposite
party, and that will not advance
your temperance hobby"
But when the Prohibition party
took the field and fought its way to
the front, with q steady, gradual,
threatening gain, the situation was
entirely changed. When the earn
est, conscientious temperance voters
were insulted and outraged by the
professional politicians and rum
party standing together, and they
were asked what they would do
about it, if the reasonable demands
of the temperance people were un.
needed, and the answer was 1--WE will
vote for the Prohibition party" A
club was at hand to break the heads
of the naughty defiers which they
learned to have a very respectful
fear of. In the light of political
party history in the last six or eight
years the lifting power of the Pro-
hibition party is marvellous. If that
party never elects q single candidate
The strategic position it occupies %
a menace constantly hanging on the
TANKS of the old parties, the value OF
It's influence in advancing temperance
laws cannot be over estimated.