The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-26
III to III
o. PEN 81.

which, on its merits, grew amazingly until
1t sought or permitted an unwise connec-
ton with political parties. Its first ven-
ture In that direction was an alliance, Of
fensive and defensive, with the Prohibition
party. Whether these or those did the
wooing is not material; IL is plain that
the cause of woman's rights has been the
loser, while Prohibition has gained moth
ing. And now, on the sober second
thought, every friend of the reform should
be glad the Republicans did them the
favor of not espousing their cause. As IL
is many an influential Democrat is In
hearty sympathy with the proposed re-
form, but II IL ever becomes a Republic
an measure they will antagonize il TO the
death. Why, il the Republicans should
incorporate the seventh and eighth COM
mandments into their platform every DEM
ocratic editor and orator would pounce
upon il and denounce IL as an unwarranta-
BILE attack upon personal liberty. alleging
that the effect VIII be the driving OF men
and women TO theft and adultery I'm secret
places instead OF practicing their individual
liberty at their pleasure. Now, views and
practices I'm these things do not divide on
party lines, but Democrats and Republic
ans abhor or practice them unbiased by
party affiliations, just as they Will continue
TO treat this woman question as long as
IL keeps out OF party platforms From the
standpoint OF the true reformer, therefore.
all who are interested in promoting the
rights of women are Thankful for silence
on the question. If they wish to hobnob
with the Prohibition party they are well
come to all the good or glory they can
realize from 1t; they cannot harm IL, but
il can do their cause no good.
This is equally true as to the silence OF
the platform on prohibition. For a quarter
Of a century or more a few Prohibitonists
who wanted a short cut to their Mecca
nave been importuning the Republican
party to espouse their cause. l do not re-
call hat they ever applied to the Demo-
cratic party for aid or comfort. Once or
twice there has been a leaning tina way
by the Republicans. but always to the
detriment of prohibition, with no advan-
tage to the party, hence all real friends or
the reform have long importuned the party
to keep hands off. To my great delight IL
has done so again. When a majority OF
the people want prohibition it will come.
but never as a party measure any more
than the statutes against theft and adul-
terry are party measures. The absolute
prohibition OF the saloon Is as surely a
coming event as was the prohibition or
lotteries less than fifty years ago, but be-
fore il comes there must come a popular
sentiment demanding it. and that cannot
be promoted by making the issue a party
issue; hence as the most radical Of prohi-
bitionists / rejoice that IL said nothing
about prohibition. We will attend to that
in the personnel of the candidates put UP
by the several parties. Wherever temper
ance men outnumber saloon men and are
equally wise there will be no difficulty In
obtaining candidates that viii favor the
enactment and enforcement OF antf-sal00n
laws. and never until then.
The platform is to be commended again
because IL keeps silent on the canteen
question. which Is just now the burning
phase of the prohibition question. Ii Is all
right for general conferences, assemblies.
councils and conventions of church people
to resolve on this question, but for the
sake of the soldier keep IL out OF party
platforms. Every voter who has convic-
lions on the subject can easily hnd oppor-
tunity TO be heard and felt If he Is in earn
est. and the Democratic party need not be
driven 20 become the advocate and de-
fender of the present method OF supplying
the soldiers with intoxicants- On the
whole, therefore. the platform is 10 be
admired. not only for what IL says. but for
what IL leaves unsaid. The platform Is all
right. except ii is too long. u. L. SEE.
Indianapolis. June o.