The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1889-12-13
Address of Gen. Neal Dow AT y. w. CT.
4. convention

L convention.
The condition of the country, So far as
incompetence is concerned, can never be
permanently changed for the better, or ev-
en- temporarily improved while the liquor
traffic continues. do not believe there is
in the vast membership of the w. c. T. I.
even one person who does not believe that.
1t has become, then, a matter of primary
Importance in the work of your great soci-
ETY. to do everything in your power to has
ten on the time when that gigantic iniquitT
shall be forbidden and suppressed.
This can never be done except by a radi-
cal change in the laws which deal with
this matter.
This can never come except by votes in
Congress and in the halls Of legislation in
the several States.
These can never be had except from
members elected expressly with that view;
and to have such, votes in the ballot box,
put there for that purpose by the people,
are absolutely necessary.
Without these, there is no power on
earth which can deliver the people from
the infinite curse of the saloon.
1t is inevitable, therefore, that the w.
G. T. L. must sympathize deeply with ev-
cry influence running in that direction;
and to the utmost of its power, antagon-
ize every influence which seeks, directly or
indirectly, to give legal protection and per
,.ot,,a@,a, - +l;e e,.o ~ oil ,,II;a,;oo A..
grog-shop: this Gigantic crime of crimes
the liquor traffic. This is not a question
of policy with the W. CT. u; is a ques-
ton of honesty and honor. 1t is not pos
sible for You without dishonor, and with
out treachery to all your professions and
principles, to sympathize with any influence
or any party which a~ntagonizes your
just demand for protection to the peoples
homes. 1t is not possible for you without
hypocrisy not to sympathize with every
movement which thoroughly reflects your
opinions, principles and profoundest de-
sires upon this great question. 1t is not
possible for you, without self.conviction as
shams and cheats, to fail in every proper
and effective manner, to encourage those
and strengthen heirhandS, who arestriying
with all their powe r to procure the legal
prohibition and suppression Of the liquor
traffic.
There can be no mistake about this
among intelligent people, that a policy SC
radical in its character, and SO far-reacling
in its results, as the proposed suppression
of the liquor traffic is, can not be incorpo-
rated into the legislation OF the country
without its adoption into the platform of
political party, which shall make it 4 chiel
object Of its existence to deliver the people
from the tremendous mischief of the sa.
loon.
The political situation of the country
points out distinctly the only course which
it is possible for the W. G. r. L. to take
with honor. There are three prominent
political parties in the country. Two o.
mitted to the policy Of license to the grog
shops as e~ternal." The association
of these two parties with the
liquor traffic is SO intimate that it is impos.
sible for either Of them to withdraw from
it and live. Any wavering of either o.
them III its allegiance to that great power
would be followed instantly by a final and
irremedial defeat. Everybody who knows
anything of the political situation can have
no doubt of this. 1t will be seen then that
prohibition Of the liquor traffic can never
come through either Of those parties.