The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-20

Work of Temperance Societies.
During the past week the annual
convention of the w. c. T. L. was held
IN ST, Paul. There was large repre-
sentation of delegates from all Inrts
of the country; and the deliberations
Of the body and conclusions have at
tracted very general attention.
1t is a mistake on the part of some
people to esteem the work of this or
ganization lightly. There is no doubt
of the fact tint the women engaged
in this specific work of reform are
whole-souled and honest in their eff
forts. The temperance cause has
been sought to be promoted
almost as far back as the anti-slavery
agitation. But slavery was more di-
recly associated with political econo-
my than the temperance cause
evsr ~-Nas. slavery involved GER
tain rights oYeT.lf the control Of
individuals as chattels. 1t was
an Institution which figured in the
deliberations Of those who formulated
the constitution Of the United States.
Temperance is a moral issue. but. when
we come to measure the material losses
to the industrial element of the coun-
try resulting from uncontrolled retail
liquor traffic, the tendency is to give
to the credit OF the w. C. r. u, at least
commentator for the work that they
have thus far carried on.
One Of the most sensible emanations
from this reform society is the unwiH-
ingness expressed 10 attempt any cru
sade in favor Of prohibition. There
has been no more serious drawback
attached TO the honest efforts of wom-
en- ASSORTED with this method of re-
form than the entanglement of state
issues with the moral proposition look
Ing to the prohibiting of sales Of liquor
within the boundaries of "A fixed COM
monwealth. ~
Prohibition is impracticable. The
Whole principle of prohibition is di-
rected against the personal rights and
privileges of mankind. individuals are
not disposed To accept dictation from
any other Individual or body OF people
who presume to set up code accom-
panied by sort of ultimatum that, if
you do not come up to our idea of what
is right. you must be relegated to the
ranks of those who act VIGOROUSLY
wrong.
1t is unfortunate, in dealing with
this important question of the promo
tion OF temperance with respect to the
sale of liquor. that principles based
on more elastic foundations have not
prevailed. The further away the
w. c. T. L. can go from the idea of
prohibition the greater viii he their
advance in the direction of the end
they seek Nothing can ever be gained
In this line by compulsory methods
The elimination of the saloon 10y grad
ual processes is the alphabet to the
solution Of the whole problem. Mu-
inequalities should conthct the area in
which liquor may pe obtained at the
bar. The work OF contraction should
he continual. but gradual No expan-
sion should he permitted. even though
legislation should be required to en-
force this theory.
The convention of the w. c. T. U.
held in st. Paul during the past week
failed in some respects TO come up TO
the standard Of stlnightforwardness in
dealing which many good people OF
the country had expected to result
from their deliberations. The abandon
ment of the Chicago Temple was most
conspicuous, hut the noble determine
of this most meritorious body to go on
and complete the Temple as a memo
rial To Frances Willard will undoubt-
edly appeal to the liberal impulses Of
those who have to give for the promo
ton Of useful institutions such as the
organization mentioned mquestionabIy
IS
The convention just closed was con-
epicuous in the PROCEEDINGS of the bodX,
for the absence Of radicalism in the
interest Of any one line Of procedure
II is possible that "a break may occur
over the Temple issue, and that the
W g T. L. viii hereafter operate in
divided parts. but there is no question
that the high principles represented hy
Frances Willard win be maintained by
the following which the surviving
members Of the organization viii gath
er 70 themselves.