Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-02-08
MISTAKEN MR.. FEATHERSTONE.

In bis recent statement of his views
on the prohibition question, outlining
for his colleagues plan of battle based
on the cooperation of local optionists,
otherwise liquor men, and seeking only
three-quarters instead of the whole
loaf, Mr.. Featherstone makes it pretty
clear that he fails utterly to compre-
bend the genius of prohibition. He
appears to be in danger of falling un-
der the snares of the designing politi-
clan.
The moving incentive of the party
politician is desire for honor, the emol-
uments of Office and power. To. en-.
compass these he works night and day,
engages in deals and intrigues and
spends his money. His only enemies
are his rivals and their friends, and his
only friends are those who are without
conflicting ambitions, and who, on &C.
count of their faith, confidence and
hopes in him, are willing to support
him in his aspirations. He is depress-
ed by trials, exalted by victory and
utterly cast down by defeat. His prin-
cipal%fear is that of being supplanted,
and his principal hope is that of still
further advancement. In his strug-
giles, it is necessary for him to call into
play virtues or vices as may be expe-
dent. This is unless he should hap
pen to be a sincere patriot, and these
are not generally recognized until af-
ter they are dead.
The moving incentive of the Prohi-
bitionist is very different matter from
that of the party politician. He is not
after the promotion of personal inter-
ests but after the promotion of what
he considers the best interest of his
fellow man. He knows how to pro-
vide for his own welfare and also has
some thought and energy that he is
willing to give out in lending help
ing hand to his neighbor. He desires
to help those who are unable or
unwilling to help themselves. He
is interested in politics; not in be-
half of individual politicians, but in
the interest of principle and conscience.
He strives to do his duty, and if he
wins he feels that he has gained q
point; if he fails he is not cast down.
Even though the enemy may triumph
temporarily, he feels that if he has
performed his duty he is not RESPONSE
BILE for the result; but must keep on
with his work. He never compromis.
es because he can make no compro.
mise that would not be sacrifice of
principle and not even for reasons OF
expediency would be consent that
some of lis fellow men might be con-
demned in order that he might be
saved. To him and to his principles
the claim of all are equally clear, and
it is not within his conscience to dis
crininate one against another.
Mr.. Featherstone is not the leader
of the Prohibition sentiment. He has
only been a flag bearer. No mortal
man can lead the sentiment. 1t is
thing of itself, and it is impossible for
any man to defect its course. Propo-
sitions of compromise are only sugges-
tive of the ordinary desire for earthly
honor, emoluments of Office and selfish
power, and are, therefore, contrary to
the whole genius of the underlying
principles of the Prohibitionist.
To the Prohibitionist the dispensary
is as repugnant as is the saloon, and
the saloon as repugnant as is the dis
pensary, only in varying degrees.
The dispensary has less power for i'm
mediate moral depravity; but still
enough to embody all the evils against
which the Prohibitionist is at war.
The Prohibitionist knows full well
that between him and the "local op-
tionists" there is absolutely nothing
in common, and his heart revolts as
much against the mere sordid strife
for political power, as it does against
the legalizing of traffic that is the
source of so much misery and despair.
Mr.. Featherstone has been a very
good flag bearer for prohibition, and
he is very good one yet. But it will
behoove him to be very careful. He
may never reap any reward in the
shape of high political Office. For his
sacrifices he can count certainly only
OH the approval of his conscience, and
the high honor in the eyes of many
whose applause in most precious. But
he must realize that these people are
always jealous of their own honor,
and that they would scorn any kind
of victory that involves the least sac
ri6ce of principle to expediency.