Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-10-08
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Non-PartIsan Prohibition.


No one, we presume, can be great
ly surprised at the organization Of the
Non-P PARTISAN Womans' Christian
Temperance Union Matters have
been steadily IGNORING in that direc-
ton since the meeting of the Union
IN st. Louis several years ago, when
by very large majority it expressed
its sympathy with the prohibition par
ty. That Miss Willard and those who
stood with her had no other thought
than the success of prohibition can
hardly be called In question. They
were not moved by political ambition,
they were not aspiring to office for
themselves nor seeking Offices for their
friends and relatives, as the common
horde of political leaders are. AS We,
take it, they were simply in earnest
IN their conflict with intemperance
and the dramshop, and seeing only +
one political party that was trying to
do anything as a national party TO adj
vance prohibition they naturally
threw their influence IN that direction.
But this was not political wisdom. So
called; for it was calculated to injuFe
the republican party to which the
husbands and brothers Of many of
their fellow workers belonged. For
1t must be apparent to all that pro-
hIbitionists have nothing under any
circumstances to expect from the
democratic party better than high lie
cense. Therefore the growth of the
prohibition party seems of necessity
the defeat of the republican party.
There is but one hardly probable alter
native; the adoption of prohibition by
the national republican party, which
would probably absorb the prohibi-
ton party. But to do this the first
step would be to cast overheard the
drinking, gambling political manag-
ers who stand by the saloons, and IN
stall men of good moral character
and prohibitionists in their places.
But no one thinks the prohibition
movement is SO ripe yet as to be equal
to such reform.
/ The new organization proposes to
be non-partisan, and has so named it
self to distinguish it from that which
they have left from principle. 1t in
tends to carry on its work with the
old enthusiasm and approved meth
DDS without the slightest reference to
political parties We are of the opin-
ion that there is a wide field for tenn
perance work in this country, and the
women who take the lead in this new
organization will have the best oppor-
tunity for proving the sincerity and
usefulness of a separate organization.
But they need to exercise the greatest
caution not to excite suspicion among
those from whom they have parted.
By nature women are more partisan
, than men-we say it to their credit.
, Their work is more heart work, even
: when their plans are wisest and most
: independent. They fully believe IN
{ honor, in purity, III justice; in the best
} women conscience pushes aside ques-
l tions of policy as unworthy of consid-
Grafton. They do not know how to
preserve neutrality, and they resent
propositions of compromise. But who
5 knows what may turn out II this case.
= Non-partisan prohibition is the ideal
= prohibition movement, according to
| some of our ablest men, but 1t has so
r far been difficult of realization. We
give the women and the preachers
s credit for the greater part of the pro-
r hibItion sentiment and conviction now
3 marching on To victory. The women
3 are the true temperance crusaders.
} If the new organization In the line OF
temperance evolution is to teach us
t the way of non BIPARTISAN prohibition,
/ and secure for us our hearts greatest
9 desire, the women who compose it will
/ be crowned with imperishable honor.
. But in the warmth of their new de-
Q parture we warn them not to become
: more partisan than their sisters from
!, whom under such stress of conviction
4 they have withdrawn.