The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-02-28
A Political Misfit.

One of the political misfits of the time
is the prohibition party. This CRATES
harshly, we know, OIL earnest, conscien-
tious ears, and so has many truth on
honest ears. There has very recently
been a temperance measure, called the
Harris bill, defeated i'll the Ohio legisla-
ture. The story has moral which ought
to preach and teach lesson in the earn
est, honest and conscientious ears of the
supporters of a misft political party. A
great public demonstration was held i'll
Columbus in favor of the Harris bill while
it was before the legislature. The meet
ing, says the chronicler, brought
together on common platform repre-
sensatives of almost all the temperance
forces of Ohio in support of the Haskell
bill, or, as it is now called, the Harris
bill. The temperance men of all parties
and of all denominations rallied to its
support. They filled two large audito-
RUINS with enthusiastic audience; they
made the rafters ring with temperance
songs" ETC., etc.
Hundreds of kilograms came into the
Legislators in its favor, and petition
signed by 4oo,o 900 persons was presented.
The whiskey interest was against the
bill and it was defeated The saloon in
terest did not hold any public meetings or
send i'll petitions against it. The men,
bers of the legislature were informed that
the liquor association was opposed to the
bill That was all. The members knew
what that meant. They knew it meant a
solid liquor vote against the member and
the party, if the bill was passed, at the
next election.
But what did the enthusiastic Columbus
meeting and 400, 900 petitioners in favor
of the bill mean? This is not so i'm
portant as what they did not mean. They
did not mean they would net vote i'll favor
of the party and members who refused to
pass The bill and therefore their influence
for good was nil. The most disguised
among them would probably take satisfac-
ton by voting the prohibition party
ticket next time, but the numbers, the
members very we'll knew, would be insult
ficient to endanger the success Of the
party, and about as many would go from
each old party if such influence was per-
ceptibly felt, as would nullify the effect.
Now in place of a prohibition party, If
there had been prohibition alliance or
compact organization that was as deter
mined to punish the members and party,
if the Harris bill was defeated, as the
liquor association was known to be if the
bill was passed, those 400, signers
could carry the State for any law against
the liquor traffic.
Where would the liquor party be if it
concluded to try its strength by party
of its own with regularly nominated can
didates? Just where the prohibition party
is and always must be. Nowhere in sight
on election day. The prohibition party,
as distinct party is without power. 1t
cannot elect any candidate. The party is
misfit
'But our principle is right, we stand
for the right, we vote for right and our
conscience approves our action" Granted
But there is wrong way to approach and
to attempt to secure ever right and abolish
every wrong, and the prohibition party is
that wrong way as over twenty years Of
persistent trial has abundantly demon
strated to satisfy any reasonable mind.
Agitation by the party has some moral
influence no doubt, but the party has nc
political influence whatever, except to
disrupt and prevent combined action Of
prohibition sentiment. Other influences
outside of, and entirely independent Of
the party have far greater moral effect Oh
the question than the isolated party.
The party will next summer and fall &C
through the formality of a Presidential
campaign with its accustomed agitation,
labor and expense, poll perhaps 3oo,ooc
votes out of "a, 900, 900, and will not exert
the slightest political influence on any
question before the country. Past, pres
ent and prospective the party from every
point of view is a misft. "But we are
right" the votary doggedly exclaims
when reason refuses to come to his aid
All, yes; and wrong too. A paradox as
all insists are.