The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-03-13

as did Charleston when Sherman marched
10 its rear, and it fell without firing gun.
The saloons power lies in the goversment
bonded whiskey warehouses. The Prohi-
bitian party has no more power 10 attack
this base Of supplies thar Marion's men had
to attack CornwalIis' army. That party
has done all it can ever do and it is a waste
of effort to continue work on its old lines.
The new forces are crystalizing outside of
existing political parties, and it is only the
framework Of the prohibition party which
binders, for the time being, the whole tenn
perance associated element from casting in
its strength with these strong forces. The
RECRUITS now under the prohibition party,
standard win drop away by ones and twos
and join the army that is mastering against
class legislation and privileged power,
until the prohibition party as distinct
political party becomes extinct. We appre-
ciate the struggle and heart ache it causes
to give up an old party where ones heart
and hopes have been enlisted, but inexor-
able change of conditions and methods must
be accepted.
The above quotations from the Voice
show the bopelessness Of the Prohibition
party situation, and that paper virtually
acknowledges it. 1t despairs of the strug-
gle If tens and hundreds of thousands of
recruits cannot be enrolled. There 10 not a
shadow Of hope for such result. The new
and more powerful reform organizations
must steadily draw from its thin ranks, and
the effort making in this and other States
TO Organize" anew the Prohibition party is
an ''iridescent dream" The Prohibition
party is losing its moral force on the public;
it is evidently losing, or not gaining votes,
compared with the strength or gain of the
liquor power. More liquor was sold last
year in the country than ever before.
Ninety-six millions was paid to the gov
eminent in tax in 'S9, one hundred and
seven millions in 1890. The liquor power
is greater than ever before in State legis-
latures, and in the government of large
cities. These facts plainly demonstrate
the Prohibition party organization as a
distinct political party organization fail
ure. On that line it can never gain enough
strength TO accomplish its mission. The
plan of the temperance battle must be
Fchanged. The party can do nothing solitary
and alone. With the results before US good
generalsh,p suggests change of policy.
Shall the forces disband? No. Organize
on different lines where alliances may be
formed with and support secured from other
organizations. Drop the nomination of
candidates feature, and form prohibition
Alliance with State and county branches,
and national head. Cooperation with
other reform associations is made easy then
which, under present party conditions is
impossible. Antagonism and jealousy Of
old political parties are disarmed and en-.
enlargement and support from them invited.
The moral and political strength of other
reform associations, which the temperance
element would corporate and consult with
bee ,nies an element Of strength 10 the pro-
hibition cause. The Knights of Labor and
all Of the farmer associations are strongly
in accord with the prohibition cause, but
they cannot cooperate with distinct po-
litical party, and hence the temperance
reform movement Is shut out from this
support BY party gives the Prohibition party
tastens upon it.