St. Paul daily globe., 1892-06-16

Rl
1-MN2 and Politics." He said:
~ RRE( The relation the saloon
W bears to everyday politics
J WA1ER\ 4 is more evident if not less
a ~ difficult to discuss. So
S3sasEEkaxG close is the alliance that
it is hard to say where the
saloon business ends and politics. so called,
Begins. perfect system of reciprocity"
seems to obtain The saloon is in politics;
politics is in the saloon business. Ihey
work hand in hand as it were.
The power welded by the saloon Ill pollt-
ical affairs is tremendous. Everybody rec
ognizes it. The saloon is master cf the sltua-
ton. No man aspiring for an ofhclal place
dare express aught against the saloon, and
no man in the enjoyment of official dignity
can safely deny his allegiance TO it. AS we
have seen, the saloon gives rise to the graV-
est apprehension in the mind OF the states
man; he sees i'll it a menace to national pros
periry. Why. then, does he not direct the
forces of his party against it?
Because he dare not The saloon holds the
balance of power. The party that places
itself i'll opposition TO 1t meets inevitable de
feat on election day. The saloon conducts
its political campaigns with vigorous de-
votion and an energy of purpose worthy OF
nobler cause. And yet the saloon, though
great factor in politics is not political
Tarty. 1t has no platform of principles and
no tangible existence as party organization.
Herein lies its almost irresistible strength.
Should it appear as well defined polillcal
organization, and bid for the suffrages of the
people as such, 1t could not Wleld q mOlety
of its present power.
But the saloon is not a political party. 1t
is simply fact of politics. How, then can
its influence i'll the political world be success
fully opposed: Surely not by means OF new
political organization. No political party can
hope to have q hearing unless It's funda-
mental principles are opposed by some other
party The saloon forces are directed by
genius too subtle to permit the question
being made direct issue.
How, then. should we direct our opposl-
tioH? l would venture 10 suggest plan by
brief analysis of the reasons why the saloon
is in politics. and few remarks as to It's
why the saloon is actively in politics. In the
first place it is hired to enter by the office
seeker; in the second place it enters instinct
lively for sef-preservation. These two rea-
sons suggest two lines OF opposltlon. Inc
office seeker is per Sc selfish man; the sa-
loon is by nature parasite with
its characteristic love for life. The
votes of the disreputable are con-
trolled by the saloon. These votes.
elect. The office seeker needs them. He
therefore courts the saloon The saloon
needs the protection of men in office. 1t there
fore receives the advances of the office
seeker An engagement results. The dema-
gogue is elected and the saloon is protrected.
Compel the Office seeker to realize that he
cannot be elected as the champion Of the
saloon and compel the body of the people to
understand that every hour the saloon lives
it justifes its death and you will have solved
the problem.
The paper was discussed by w. J.
Walsh and ]. j. Corrigan. The other
papers were those of u. A. O'Reilly,
s.Methods of Advancing Society,""
Father Heffron, "The Church and Tenn
perance," and Miss Mary Cramsie. one.
of the teachers in Cretin school, "Teach-
ing Temperance in Homes and
Schools"
The work of the convention was fin
ished by the completion 0frOutine busi-
ness and an. exchange, of pleasantries
among the delegates. -