The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-03-15
To the Local Unions.

of the w. c, 7. U. is the legal prohibition
of the liquor traffic, and thus have pursued
their own lines of work. The greatest
number believing that prohibition can best
be obtained and enforced through party
pledged to the purpose and pursuing the
same lines of work, have left individual
members to exercise their individual rights
and preferences in their Endorsement of the
Prohibition party. But this state Of affairs
is not acceptable to remnant Of the MI
nority; not content with the rights and
privileges accorded to all they appear to
consider that minorities must rule. TO this
effect, violating all precedent and all rules
comfy between state w. G. T. Unions they
have distributed broadcast literature calcu-
lated to sow strife and dissension; have
criticised in seyerest terms every act of the
administration, and have in various ways
advised revolutionary proceedings.
1t is ipcomprehensible that women who
have been diyinely called to the abolition
of the liquor traffic can stop in the field, i'll
the very face of the enemy, to turn their
labor and influence to break down the in.
strumentality which is doing such grand
work. 1t is guaranteed to them that they
shall not be molested in following their own
convictions to bring about the desired re-
suit. Wherefore should they stop to de-
stroy another means? But it is evident far
more force is now thus expended than
against the common foe.
Misrepresentation as to the relation of
local unions to the National is constantly
fostered. The local w. G. I. U. can have
no more direct connection with the Nat ion
al than can county with the general gov.
eminent. The connection is through the
state. The utmost which has been doue
officially to our knowledge by either state or
National w. C. T.U. is 10 declare SYM
pathy with the Prohibition party as offer
ing the very best embodiment of plan for
the final and successful overthrow of the
liquor traffic. Officially, neither money nor
labor has been contributed to that party,
and yet the reputation of the payment of
national dues, the visible bond between the
state and national, is advised by this small
faction.
There is much sophistry expressed on
these points, as, for instance, the remark:
1.-THE majority which elected our National
President, Benjamin Harrison, compels no
one to be Republican, or to work in Re-
publican channels. 1 have heard of no
county which has refused to pay taxes, or
to belong to the United States" is answered
thus:
'Let the majority which elected our
National President attempt anything like
oppression, and instantly the minority will
resent the oppression. If the dominant
party should undertake 10 compel every
Democrat to help pay their campaign bills
and vote for Republican measures, the
Democrats would cry out against it. In
our Legislatures ali parties have freedom of
debate"
The paying OF campaign bills has nothing
to do with the analogy. Benjamin Harri-
son was elected President, and there was
during the campaign, and is to-day, very
respectable minority which feels that the
issue presented by the Republicans was, and
if their plans are carried out by Congress,
will be in the future oppression" of the
worst sort. Still this minority will contin-
ne 10 pay its taxes, and thus contribute to
the support of the very measures and men
to which it is opposed, and so it would be,
were the order of majority and minority
reserved.
1t is true that Sin all legislatures all par
ties have freedom of speech,' limited only
by parliamentary laws, but these are as much
in the interest of the minority as the ma
jorty, and serve as well and fairly in the
W. G. 7. u. as in the Congress of the
Nation.
We must beg all our unions in these
times, rendered SO troublous by the acts of
those of our own houshould, that they study
constitutional law, their own constitutions,
local, state, and national, that they may
know their own limitations and privileges.
To the members of unions thus vexed and
unsettled by the continued urging of dscord
both from within and from without, we ex-
tend sympathy. If the National officers
can, without intermeddling, aid such 10
clearer understanding, if we can seyre them
in the interests of peace, we will be rejoiced
to do so. We must exhort all to endeavor
to keep meek and quite spirit; to still
their ewn hearts that they may hear the
Spirits voice; that they be much in PRAYER
that they study SO far as possible to avoid
giving cause of ofense, and whilst they
firmly hold to principle, that they lay aside
prejudice. There comes to every organiza-
ton time of trial and sitting, but Gideon's
band, to those who stand firm and are
equipped with the panoply of God, victory
comes. Let us all, partisan or non partisan,
so walk that our enemies themselves being
judges, shall say, their rock is not as our