The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-17
RAN INTO POLITICS.
The Temperance Convention Escaped q Split
by Adopting a Compromise Resolution.

SARATOGA, n. Y, July 16-The first busi-
ness before the national temperance con-
vention, this morning. was the reading and
discussion of an essay on Constitutional
Prohibition" by A. NJ. Powell. of New
York. The essayist, and each speaker who
discussed his paper. was earnestly in favor
of prohibition by constitutional amend
ments. The side issues Of local option"
ard high license" were held to be charac-
teristic as makeshifts. advocated by politi-
clans, distillers and brewers to distract
the temperance voice. The Nap0leonic
principle of finding out where your enemy
wants you to strike HIM, and then hitting
him elsewhere and IN bis weakest point,
was held to be applicable in this case.
Constitutional prohibition was asserted TO
he the attack that the enemies of temper
ance NEST dreaded, and if the leading
parties were in favor of prohibition and
against its enforcement, and party
caucuses are to control and silence leg
islative voices, then independent action
must be taken by temperance men that
will command attention. The distinct
third party suggestion ran through the
whole line of discussion with but one dis
senting voice The speakers were John
Lloyd Thomas, Rev. Hugh Montgomery
and Rev. ID. Lawson. OF Massachusetts,:
Rev. George II. Hicks J. II. Bronson and
George w. Powell and Mrs. Perkins, of
New York.
The same sentiment was further ex-
pressed in the discussion of the essays on
the Citizens Protective League" by w.
Jennings Demorest. of New York, Mrs.
Helen NJ. Cougar, of Indiana. and others.
Mrs. Cougar gave as an axiom that prohibi-
ton can never be obtained by electing
passive men to Office. There can be no ma
tional prohibition until there Is political
party behind it, the same as anti-slavery
Sol, al
party succeeded at the polls. This brought
out Rev. George l.. Poulson. of New York,
who thought that the action of the rum
power In controlling the present political
parties should be allowed and fought with
in the old party lines. This brought ont
the Rev. j. B. McGraw, of New York. who
believed that it was the duty of temper
ance men to make their utmost efforts felt
by the strongest blows, that can only be
done effectively by working outside the
old parties.
The following officers were elected: Pres
ident. 4. III. Clapp. of Massachusetts; vice.
president. DIR. A. G. Lawson. of New
Jersey: Mrs. Mary e. Leavirt, of Massachu-
sets, and Mrs. j. Pbinney. of Ohio; secre-
taries, j. N. Stearns of New York: A. L.
Winter. of Connecticut. and Mrs. Campbell.
of Massachusetts: executive committee. Is.
L. Denison, of Pennsy lvania; S. Dickie, of
Michigan: j. :. Rawlings of Maryland;
Mrs. Borgess., of Pennsylvania: Rev. A. 4.
Winter. of Connecticut; Miss A. NJ. Ed
wards. of Ohio, and j. ID. Whiteeides, of
Vermont.
The attendance at the meetings is not
very large. At the afternoon session 4. NJ.
Powell. of New York, offered a substitute
for a split political report of the commit
tee on resolutions, which was accepted and
adopted by two-thirds vote 1t recites
that "Whereas the iiqnor- dealers and the
saloon element have united regardless of
party. to carry their ends. all temperance
men, Big united action at the polls, should
stand in defense of humanity from their
evil influences"