The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-01
OF Observation-Disclosures.
THIS LOYAL BAND WE'LL OR0ANs
IZZED AND IN GOOD CHEER.
Their Faith in the Ultimate Result Their
Inspiration for Present Work-A
Review of the Field.

While numerically considered the Pro-
hibition party does not compare In I'M
portance with either OF the alternating
dominant political parties, yet its aggre-
gate strength even in point OF numbers
is not TO be lightly regarded. while tho
personnel of the Organization is generally
admitted to be of a high order.
Those who imagine that these people
are simply sentimental cranks. who de-
light in going through the empty form
OF nominating and voting for men with
out any hope OF seeing tDem elected ara
mistaken in their estimate OF the loyal
band. Their object Is the ultimate pro-
hitition OF the licensed liquor traffic. and
they contend that by keeping their or
ganization intact they are developing
more strength every year, and that what
is termed throwing away their votes
at the present time Will eventually %
regarded as the poll OF very potent pa
ulotic ballots.
Ii should be remembered in this con-
Eection that the abstract principle OF the
prohibition OF the licensed liquor traffic
has the endorsement OF nearly all thu
great religious denominations and OF
many societies OF moral reform. The
nense vote, and If this is done 1t will
be a mighty army. The indications are
that there is strcns undcIcurrent IN
favor of the party which is manfesting
itself I'm various ways. and the party
confidently expects an eventual tidal
wave in It's behalf.
THE SINGLE ISSUE.
The single issue" policy adopted by
the National Convention this year re-
suited in a bolt on the part of a num-
Der OF free-slver delegates. who nomi-
mated an independent ticket. This has,
OF course. caused some detection. while.
on the other hand. there have been ac-
cessions to the ranks on account OF this
single issu. policy Again, the vigor-
Gus camp ign waged BY the old parties
and the prevalence OF the opinion that
vital issues OF governmental life are in
the balances just now. and that the SAL
walton OF our institutions are at stake,
will doubtless cause some detection from
the ranks and seem in 4 measure
TO Offset the advantage expected
10 be gained by the adoption OF
expected to be gained by the adoption OF
The single issue policy. Therefore. ths
leaders say IL the party holds its own in
the general poll this year it will be
decided victory for 1t. and will demon
strate the invincibiiity OF the cause. and
that it will &c forward rapidly hcreat-
ter.
The party polied quarter OF a million
votes in the last presidential election.
and between four and five thousand ia
Virginia. The poll this year will embrace
possible few hedge" votes. that IL 10
say, votes OF people who do not wish
10 vote for either Mckinley or Bryan.
and who will cast their ballots for Lever
ing as a matter OF somewhat "conven-
fence" Be Il SAID 10 the party's credit.
however that this vote has not been
sought, for while the Prohibitionists nat
urally wish all the strength they can
secure. they have waged and earnest
campaign in behalf OF principle. and have
sought to secure principle rather than
policy votes and there will to very few
who align themselves under the banner.
For God Home and Native Land" who
will not be influenced In their action BY
a high sense OF duty.
AN EXCELLENT CANVASS
II should be stated that tho Prohibi-
tionists have not confined their excellent
canvass. or as they term II. their cam
paign OF educate 10 the moral aspect
OF the question alone. but have deaie
largely In the economic relations OF the
great question, and they claim TO be
we'll fortified in this regard.
Upon the whole. probably no party haz
conducted a mole vigorous canvass than
this party, and il Is quite certain thas
there has been given to no other politl-
cal organization a pro rata amount OF
self-sacrifice and earnest active service
at all commensurate with that which has
characterized the Prohlbitionists.
When the final result OF this heated
canvass shall have been announced tie
Prohibitionists will not have carried .
State. and posribiy will not have elected
a congressman. But the valiant army
will be intact. having preserved It's au-
tonomy through the rercest conflict the
republic has experienced for many
years. and with banner unsullied ana
proudly floating their unended campaign
will be In the vigorous youth and faith
In the ultimate result will preclude any
sense Of gloom from the present failure
OF the people at large to rally to their
standards.