The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-10-25

to bear its full share of the pecuniary bur-
dens which il imposes upon the community;
but such legislation must in 70 wise abridgc
the privilege already granted, or which
may be granted in the future, to counties or
smaller communities throughout the state
to prohibit by popular vote such traffic
within their limits. Ia
1st. We recognize that the Republican
party has heard that there is such thing
as intemperance in the land.
2nd. The Republican party believes that
intemperance is "the fruitful source of paul
lerism and crime, of political corruption
and social degradation"
3rd. We do not admit that there is any
political corruption or social degradation in
the Republican party; or if there is any
where, il does not obtain in Mary land.
4th. 1--WE pledge ourselves to the adop-
ton of those measures which have been
found by the experience of other communi-
ties most efficient in eradicating the evils"
This reads very nicely, so far, in so much
as it leaves all in delightful uncertainty as
what those measures are, as to what exper
fence they allude, as TO what communities
are included in that one word "other."
"Most efficient in eradicating" is very
positive expression. Eradicate, from the
Latin, eradico; to destroy thoroughly; to
extirpate as to eradicate errors, or false
principles, or vice, or disease Webster.
Now drop the plural from the last word
of this quotation and you have resolution
that no Temperance man" can object TO
and every Prohihitionist can indorse. This
is no doubt just the way it is designed to be
read by Temperance Republicans" and we
suggest that this extract from the platform
be printed in tract form in large type and
scattered broadcast oyer the land, only be-
ing very careful to stop the letter IS"
With the letter "S'' you have the sentiment
of the National Liquor Dealers Convention,
without it you have the platform of Prohi-
ton. This may seem to those who have
given the subject but little attention to be an
impossibility. Yet it is literally true. (No
pun intended.) The Brewers at their
National Conyention said: eve most earn
eslly favor temperance and most strongly
condemn intemperance." They favor such
laws as will reduce the evils growing out of
the business of liquor selling among which
the chief is "Hish License" which will
lessen the number of those selling and con-
fine the licenses in the hands of the best
men. Mark you, they profess to desire all
this, that the business may be in fewer
hands and more respectfully and proftably
conducted. The evils they desire to sup
press are not profitable to them. The EVIL
that we must eradicate is the business itself,
the old she wolf, whose progeny is host OF
epis. The Republican party now proposes
to con6ne its operations to the eradication
of the pups. This was the policy of the old
frontiersman when there was bounty on
wolf scalps.
9Th. Restricting and regulating the
traffic" This does not sound exactly like
eradication, but it seems TO have more
familiar ring than the latter term, when
used by politicians. 1t is only another way
to say License, in way not ito offend some
of our good moral men who are already
convinced that "License is vicious in prin-
ciple and powerless as remedy"
9th. "Compelling it TO hear its full share
of the pecuniary burdens which it imposes
upon the community "Compelling" in
deed Permitting would be just ..as suitable
word and more truthful as applied to the
trade in general and the money lords who
have entire control of it. They are perfectly
willing to pay $1,000 fee; you will he quite
modest and not take all they can afford to
give. Now tell us, Sub Rosa, who is to do
the estimating of the money value or cost of
''pauperism and crime. what damages for
political corruption" and how much
head for human beings that have been cast
out of the lap of society into "social degra-
dation?" Tell us, what share of the bur-
dens should be borne by business that
causes more destruction, according to w.
E. Gladstone, than War, Famine and Pes
thence? Moral degradation is a considera-
ton that has no place in platform, because
moral questions no longer concern this
Grand Old Party.
9TH. This last clause But such legisla-
ton must in no wise abridge the privilege
already granted, &c.," is the cap sheaf of
all. In it we have fiat contradiction of all
that proceeds it. 1t is another tub thrown
to the Prohibition Whale to divert its at
teution from the frail craft in which the
party is afoat, until they can reach place
of safety or more shallow water. We haye
seen many very curious samples of resolu-
tions on this question that SO torments plat
firm makes, but for duplicity this certainly
deserves prominence.
THE DEMOCRAT PARTY AND PROHIBITION.
have written thus much of the position
of the Republican party in Maryland on the
question of Prohibition, and the utterances
of its platform confirm the prediction l
made, and more strongly commit the party