St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-06-25
THE PROHTRITIONIsTs.

If party is to be heard for its much
speaking, then the Prohibitionists are
entitled TO an audience. They can talk
more and vote less than any party in eX-
istence, and yet the party is as tenacious
of life as a cat. In fact, it thriveS on
reverses. and the bigger the defeat the
more apt it is to come up smiling the
next time. The late original package
decision, which was intended to be a
death-blow to the prohibition move
ment, has only had the effect of stimu-
lating it with new life. The Prohibition
party may not be more numerous than
formerly, but it is ten-fold more Jealous,
and is evidently possessed of more sagac-
ity and political wisdom.
The convention of Prohibitionists at
Newmarket hall yesterday very we'll
illustrated the prohibition movement at
this time. The convention was not a
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS affair, nor did it
resemble any of those noisy gatherings
which usually make up political as
semblage. The most remarkable part
of it was the apparent sOlidity of its
membership and the decorouS and bust
ness-like method with which its pro-
ceedingS were conducted. There was
nothing about it to confirm the popular
impression that temperance cOnven-
ton must be a cranky assemblage of
long-haired men and short-haired wom-
EN-. On the contrary, the convention
was composed largely of men Of affairs,
farmers and merchants, with genera us
sprinkling of the clerical cloth, and a
few ladies whose benevolent faces and
refined manners expressed the senti-
ment which brought them there as dele
gates to political convention. 1t was
as mothers rather than as stateswOmen
the latter were there, honestly and ear
nestly laboring for what they believed
would result in the publication of the
homes of the land
While the great bulk of the people
are astonished that movement SO
thoroughly impracticable could hold
itself together so long as this Prohibition
movement has done, still every one,
including its bitter, most bitter op-
ponentS. is inclined to admire the zeal
of the Prohibitionists, and to accor
them credit for the honesty and sin
cerity of their purpose. Their strength
lies in the undying sentiment of their
organization. With all their materials.
tic ideas and practice S, the American
people are sentimental. Anything
which bears the legend "Home and
Mother" touches a tender chord in
the American heart and inspires GER
tain amount of respect. So that. while
we may ridicule the impracticable
crankism of the Prohibitionists, down
deep in our hearts we feel kind OF
veneration for the sentiment which WE
know to be the inspiring principle OF
these people. And herein lies thail
ability to keep themselves together anG
to preserve their party organization
through all manner of reverSes.
1t will be long time before the Pro
hibition party can even hope for polit
zeal revolution that would bring it int
ascendency. But deferred hope has
no terror for party that is founded
solely on conscience. A thousand years
are but as day to him who is welded II
principle which is the outgroWth Of
tuC UCtGCt vi uuiIldu
Hence we may reasonably expect t.
have the Prohibition party always with
US. Its chief influence as a politica
power must of necessity be in acting a.
ballast to the other political parties
There are communities in which it will
hold the balance of power. and in sucf
instances can make itself force in the
political movements of the day.
A special use for the Prohibition
party here in Minnesota is to show the
hypocrisy Of the high license movement
They are able to demonstrate that the
''uneo guild" temperance people who
professed to reconcile their consciences
by advocating high license laws are ar.
rant hypocrites. License without re-
gard to whether it is high or low ell
courages the liquor traffic. This is in
the very nature OF things SO long as the
fostering care of the government is es