The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1892-04-30
VOL. XIV.
DIR. ]. B. GAMBRELt, TALKS ON CUR
RENT POLITICAL TOPICS.
A Friendly Word for the Alliance, and an
Opinion Of the Dram-shop Law

the well-knOwn preacher, writer
and pnblicist, and knowing the
interest with which any thing from
him is always heard by Mssis-
sippians, asked him for an express
sion of his views on the political
situation. Among other things, he
said:
Eyes, l try to keep along with
the movements of the times. Every
man should do so, as we'll as he
can. 1t is not good citizenship for
man to keep himsplfin ignorance
of the public affairs of his country,
and Try TO be a good citizen"
II would like to have your views
on the present status Of the reform
forces North aud Soulh.n
II have been greatly interested
studying the situation. The several
reform bodies are moving on con-
yerging lin,s aud will come to-
gether in due time. 70 appreciate
the situation it must be borne in
mind that reforms are not made to
order. They all proceed from nat
ural sources, just as the rivers
h; We their beginnings in the many
mountain springs. There are
reasons for the unrest everywhere
manifested. The common people
see and feel that things are not
working evenly. Corporate power
overshadows individual interests.
We are coming to Oe familiar with
the millionaire and the pauper side
by side. Something is wrong, the
people think, and they must be
righr, to some extent at least.
When a great many people, widely
separated, make up their minds
that changes ought to be made,
there are certain to be many
different ideas as to what changes
are needed and how to bring them
about. All first attempts will be
crude and awkward. The discipline
Of failure must be passed through.
Overheated reformers mnst be
rightly tempered, movements
haImOnized, crldities abandoned
aud the clearer lights welcomed.
The reform movements in this
country are passing through this
stage now-the Farmers Alliance
especially. While undergoing what
appears to be defeat, meritorious
movement is not really defeated.
The Alliance Of Mississippi has
done great good as political fac
tor already. 1T has compelltd d a DIS
cusslon of practical questions,
which the old leaders had no
stomach for, and it has educated
the people in many ways. No
doubt, as an organization, it has
learned good deal which will be
useful in the future.
"You spoke of the various bodies
moving on converging lines"
''Yes, the st. Louis conference
proves that"
"What do you think of the re-
lection Of Prohibition by that con-
ferenceT'
"Well, it was mistake, but il
is one which will be corrected IN
time. The Prohibitionists are the
most thorough and best grounded
reformers in the field aud the re-
suit at st. LOUIS shows that the
other bodies were not up TO the
right point. The truth is, some
men IN hese bodies are not reform
ers at all, but were politicians, aud
they are impatient for Office 1t i
not the chief end of a reformer tc
hold Office. A large majority Of the
st. Louis Conference were Pro
hlbitioniSts, but to break up tb,
great whisky monopoly, is a biz
job and they were afraid TO under
take it. OF course they will lose bl
their cowardice."
"How do you think the new
movement is likely to effect tn
Presidential electionf"
"Itis hard to say. The S utl
will be solidly Democratic. 1t look
like there will be hreaks I'D all III
Southern States, but no electoria
vote will be lost to the Democrat
side. | take il, that practically
there will be enough Third pari
doiigs IN the South to encDurag
the Northern wing of the army
1t is quite probable that result
may be changed in several NoTil
ern States 10y the new party moy,
ment. Kansas may he carried fc
the Peoples party f the Democrat
and Peoples party combine
Indiana, always doubtful, is mad
far more so by the probable Pr,
bibition and Peoples rarty fusiol
In the North, the Prohibition vo'
is maiuly from the Republica
party, as is, also, that part of Il
Peoples party cast by All
aDce men. .ern DemOcra
have eve .eason TO favor Il
break :. the North, as Northel
Republicans have 10 take comfo
in the new move IN the South
II would like TO have your yieS
of the situation in Mississippi"
"Well, sou know / am a Pro-
bitionist and look at things fro
that Standpoint | am a 30
Democrat, but | don't accept MAJ