The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-06-28
The set.back for Prohibition.

The Setback for Prohibition.
The Prohibition.sts are stiI attrihu-
ting the overwhelming defeat or tho
constitutional amendment In Prnnsyl-
ydnia TO the hostile atti' ude of the
political machines" So far as we can
make out. their resentment is due
mainly to the failure of the
Republican machine 10 exert it's
power on their side. Whatever efforts
may have been made by individual!
politicians and parry managers to Sc
cure the defeat of the amendment,
there is little or no evidence that either
party organization exerted its power
either way, and the vote is not to be
accounted for by the attitude of party
managers. In the submission OF such
a question by popular vote it was en-
tireIy proper that neither political party
as an organization should take sides.
The people should be lett to exercise
an independent choice in accordance
with their conviction upon the issue
and without regard to party Affiliations.
This was substantially the case in
Pennsylvania. and the result was an
overwhelming defeat for prohibition.
II is we'll known that most Democrats
are opposed to Prohibition, whether by
cOnstitional amendment OF by statute,
and it is not likely that many Republi-
cans who are really in favor of it
voted against their convictions on ac-
count of the attitude or wishes OF any
politician.
The defeat IN Rhode Island is still
more significant. and nobody seems TO
pretend that it was brought about
through party action. 1t was undOubt-
edly the result of a conviction derived
from fresh experience that Prohibition
was failure and was doing far more
harm than good to the cause of tenn
perance. 1t was not accomplishing
what its supporters three years ago
hoped that it would accomplish, and it
was an obstacle in the way of such
restriction and regulation as might be
Of benefit. 1t was for this reas~
son that 1t was swept away by a vote of
nearly three To one by the same people
who in 1856 established It by vote of
more than three To two. This Is not
slmply verdict against prohibition by
constitutional amendment, il is a YER
dict against prohibition as a practical
policy. During the recent canvass on
the question in Massachusetts, there
were some very sound arguments put
forth against embcdying . declaration
OF policy on such a subject in the o.
ganic law of the State, whatever might
be done by the statute. But not many
votes were affected by this consIdera-
tion. Men who are really in favor of
prohibition as a policy are not averse 10
making it obligatory upon Legislatures
TO adopt their views if it can be done,
and those who argue against such a
course are those who have no faith in
the policy.
We regard the series of defeats which
constitutional prohibition has suffered
es indicating an advance in public
sentiment under the agitation of the
subject of Temperance legislation, and
We believe that progress will continue
in the same direction. PrOhibitionists
are fond of likening themselves TO the
Free Sellers OF the fast generation and
profess TO believe that there is an anal
Ogy between their cause and the anti
slavery cause OF those times, and that
II IS destined like that TO take hold
up0n the moral convictions of the
people, break mp old party lines, ard
march on TO ultimate triumph. But
the ana 0gy is purely imaginary, and
the hopes founded upon it are faratical.
We do not suppose the Prohibition par
" has received its death blow, but it is
likely to Tecede to its legitimate lines.
Those who have fanatical attach
ment to the one idea of the party will
cling to 1t, but most citizens are practi>
ca and seek for practical results. IL
has been demonstrated that prohibition
as practical policy is out OF the ques-
ton, and they Will turn their attention
to securing the adoption Of something
else.
This will be the great benefit to be
derived from the set back that has been
given 20 the cause of prohibition.
Even those who have been inclined to
favor it and have given it tentative
support will fall away and Join the
ranks of those who are striving to Sc
cure the adoption of rational and prac
tlcal measures OF restriction, leaving
only the imprscticables to continue the
unavalilng cry for the unattaInable.
IL Will bring accessions to the support
OF the policy OF high license and local
option. which has the merit of being
adaptable to the condition of public
sentiment and capable of indefinite ex-
tension. 1t is the policy of present ex>
pedlency and future progress. 1t can
be made as restrictive as the communi-
ties to which ii is applied will sustain
and make effective. and the restriction
can be increased whenever they are pre-
pared for it. This is the reasonable and
sensible method of temperance legisla-
tion. and il will gain advantage from
the defeats which prohibition has en-
countered N. Y. Times.