The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-01-15


Our of twelve articles app caring in
the editorial columns of the Free Press
and Courier last week, ten are clipped
and credited, and two are assumed by
the gentleman of tottly instincts and
singliness of purpose, who is alone re-
sponsible for their appearance. The
NORTHERNER regrets that its contemp-
orary should deem it necessary in the
interests of party, with whose rec
ord on these subjects, he certainly
ought To be familiar, to descend TO such
reckless, illogicaland puerile vaporings
as characterized the articles to which ref
erence is made. The first article makes
allusion to the New Years reception
given by Vice President Morton and
wife, and charges that wine constituted
a leading feature of the collation., and
that it was doubtless taken from the
Presidents saloon. 1t is well
known that no purer, more patriotic
and sincere christian gentleman lives
than Mr.. Morton. Whether in his
home, in Congress, as minister repre-
senting this government abroad, or as
the second highest official dignitary in
the land, he has always enjoyed the con-
fidence and respect OF the better class
of people wherever known. Such an
allusion, insinuation or charge as the
Courier makes in this instance, could
only have its origin in the brain of inn
practical temperance cranks, who are
either incapable or unwilling to dis
criminate between right and wrong,
between justice and injustice, and who
never have and never can, for that
reason, advance the cause of temper
ance; or, on the other hand, from polit-
ical bankrupts who hope to further
their political interests by protesting to
be in sympathy with their methods.
Neither of these regard good character
as of any value, and both, with un-
christian viciousness, assail it when in
the way of their peculiar notions
The other article the Courier would
have the public accept as coming from
its editors pen, opens with criticism
upon the board of supervisors for tax
ing two days in which to arrange for
an election on the question of County
Option. We believe that the supervis-
ors did their work as promptly as pos
sible, be that as it may, they alone are
responsible, and must answer to their
constituents, Democrat and Republican
alike. The astute author of the article
having consigned the supervisors to
political oblivion, then sails into the
Republican party, and charges it with
being twice guilty of defeating prohi-
bition in this State. This is a reitera-
ton of the same charge made in the
last campaign by the same parties,
which the people, by a largely increas-
ed Republican majority, branded as
base and malicious falsehood. The Re-
publican party has fulfilled every
pledge it ever made to the people on
the temperance or any other question.
1t furnished them an opportunity to
vote on State prohibition, and they de-
clared themselves against it. 1t then
gave them local option law, which,
on technical grounds, was found to be
unconstitutional. 1t has now enacted
a law which, it is believed, is free
from errors, and it is for the people to
say whether they will avail themselves
of its provisions. The Republican par
ty, as whole, is for temperance. If
the Democratic party will show as
large a per cent of its membership in
favor OF temperance, as will be found
in the ranks of the Republican party,
then all legislation on this subject will be