Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-12-19
SAMUEL DICKIE.
LITTER FROM THE NATIONAL
$COMMfTTEE CHAIRMAN.


slall We Unite:-A Word Concerning tho
dOvenent-Mr. Dickie Advises Caution
lEDealing with Other Parties.
IL the Editor of the Northwestern Mail:
Prohibitionists are constantly asking
themselves if it is not possible to devise
some means whereby we may shorten
tic road and diminish the task that lies
bttWeen us and victory.
SO much has been said concerning
S,nion" with this OF that organization
Tat it may be we'll to inquire upon what
TENS we may hope to effect union,
aldsWhat organizations meet the neces-
sary conditions.
Y is safe to assume that every prohi-
bJipnist will hail with joy any move
mint that can win an increased and per-
lmnent voting support to the principle
OF prohibition, to be enacted into law
aid faithfully enforced by a party that
bdfeves the doctrine.
Now as to the terms of union. Tho
plitical party with which we can unite
must present at least two conditions:
1. If it hold any other tenet of DO.
liical faith as of more Importance than
PtSoAOoiOAis UiAo CCICU 4uuob OuC WHICH
W,esteem of minor concern, and upon
which we can agree to disagree, while
wsishall together accomplish that which
tiespresent membership of the prohibit
tim party hold to be of chief moment.
2. That party must be SO clearly and
Sc honestly committed to prohibition,
tc its enactment into law and to the
laws vigorous enforcement, that it will
deliberately prefer defeat with prohbi-
tim to victory without it.
Now, have we such party? Where
slall We a-wooing go, or whom accept
asa sutton? For my own part know
'oi no political party to which we can
make or from which we can consider
opposition to unite without stultifying
ourselves, becoming the laughing stock
fol the nation, and doing the principle
Ewsrepresent irreparablc injury.
To the man who boasts of his liberal
thinking, which, by the way, often
mans loose thinking, such a declaration
swlL seem both narrow and impolitic.
But the sensible way is usually the
Straight way, and quite often it becomes
ftfBs narrow way. Let us see if, after
sSl,gOur position, if narrow, be not neces-
kay.
Surely, the mildcst, the meekest, the
lelst radical man of lis all, if he esteem
klohibition of prime Importance as a
Rlftical issue. would never consent to
lily himself with any party that does
lot meet the second of the above con-
itions. He must write himself pro-
bitionist with very small sp" who is
Etistied with q party that sustains pro-
kbition only when it can do SO with
tIety, and deserts it when desertion will
kn party victory.
But what is the kind of devotion which
wShere demand, and less than which we
cahot accept? 1t is a kind and de-
gre of devotion that no political party
his ever shown or ever will show toward
anissue held to be of secondary impor-
tace.
these statements are correct, and
thy seem to be, we are forced to the
coelusion that those who believe that
Prohibition as a great moral and eco
tonic reform constitutes the largest and
host important issue in politics must re-
Use to ally themselves with any party
Dat gives this issue place other than
! 81 first Importance, because such a party
Is &rtain to pley fast and loose with our
principles, to lead us q sorry chase and
tY dfsappoint us in the end.
The road we have chosen may be a long
oe, but it leads in the right direction,
aid we better pursue it than to enter an
bher thai will take us where we do not
want to go. There seems to be but one
Esilrse for us to pursue, and that is to go
ght on with our independent party, ag-
hating, educating, persuading, convinc-
ing, winning adherents to our standard
hnd making our constant and courageous
fight against all parties and all organiza-
lions that stand for the perpetuation of
What we propose to destroy.
H But, it may be asked, are there no or
foundations other than political parties
TO which we may look with hope? Very
likely, but the hope does not lie in the
direction of pooling our issues and max
ling common cause against the larger
parties while we have among ourselves
mo other bond of union than our an
ktagonism to these older organizations.
The fiasco of the Union party in
Oregon and the worse than flat failure
|of similar effort in Rhode Island ought
to teach us wisdom. The only way to
unite is to be united. We can stand to.
gether only when we stand for the same
thing.
In the numerous labor organizations,
and in the agricultural organizations OF
the West and South, find cause of re.
joicing and hope of strength.
Our farmers are grooming under q re.
stricted market, high cost of Transports
ton, monopolistic rule, grain gambling
and similar evils, while our vast army Of
toilers justly affirm that under present
conditions they do not enjoy fair share
OF the wealth which their own hands
have produced. s
We believe these complaints are well
founded, and while we do not believe
that the mere suppression of the dram
shop will accomplish the reforms Sc
much required by the laboring and agri'
cultural classes, we do believe that sncl
suppression must be the first step anC
will be very long step in that direc
tion.
/ AS an economic reform prohibition
will rebound at once and immensely tc
the profit of the laborer and farmer
making an increased demand for the
services of the one and the products o.
the other.
But of still greater Importance is the
fact that prohibition will remove from pc
litical influence corrupt and q corrupt
ing force now welding immense power
and without whose destruction no indus
trial reform can be secured. The salool
creates the conditions most favorable fol
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