New-York tribune., 1900-10-14

avalanche of patriotic votes. l should not have
Nation would have wondered If I had remained
silent when called DEMOCRAT ,-oar
No 80 Broadway New-York, Oct. 3 1900
REPUBLICAN AND PROHIBITIONIsT.
POLITICAL DIALOGUE FOR THE TIMES
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Here Is a dialogue that may interest your
readers:
Prohibtionist-I will cast ballot next November
that brewer distiller will vote
Republican-There is nothing so remarkable in
that. In politics. which must be practical be
effective. man may take position ideal 10
exclude every one else from association with him
and enjoy. in consequence, the peculiar distinction
OF 'focking entirely by himself" II I were stand
ing for my life against the furious Boxers in China
would not who It that planted himself
at my side-brewer, dstiller any else-if
only he would help heat off the enemy.
ProhibtIonist-Well, but you TO remember
that in this election I voting for a principle
rather than a man. and he who votes 10 elect
great principle does better than he who votes
elect a
RepUblcan-But what if he votes to elect nothing
at all. as you will certainly DO? The situation
such that you cannot vote for principle without
voting for man. And. in spite of yourself your
ballot is Onehalf for Bryan. If it is matter OF in
difference 10 who is chosen the coming election
is the opportunity for your sort of vote. But to
me II Is a matter of supreme consequence whether
Mckinley or Bryan be elected. 7 cannot conceive
OF any calamity greater than the triumph of the
Democratic party as at present guided and in
spired.
Prohibitionist--It seems to me that there is in
this country something worse than Democratic
Administration and that is the liquor power. We
have survived the former and can do 1t again. but
God only knows how long we may endure the
latter.
Republican-H we have survived a Democratic
Administration it is because the people outraged.
distressed. disGused. have risen in their might
hurled il out of high places and for assistance in
this thanks due the Prohibition party.
During the last forty years four great questions
have been under discussion: First the preservation
of the Union; second, the emancipation OF the
slave; third. the protection of American labor;
fourth. the preservation of q sound currency. All
of these have been settled and settled right, and
only for one reason-because the Republican party
has heen in power on every one OF these qLes-
tions the Democratic party has been wrong. If
the Democratic party had been in power all these
years this country would to-day be divided. slavery
still in existence free trade a blight indus
tries and deprecated currency running trade.
Could this country have stood Democratic Ad-
mnistration these terms? The curse Of An un-
disturbed liquor power cannot be compared with
the curse OF undisturbed Democratic Administra-
ton And what is more to-day the silver folly
the Democratic party is just wrong and reckless
as ever. Our only safety is to antagonize it with
party that is right. and that is the Republican
party. SO long the poison is actively at ork
the antidote has q mission
Prohibitionist-We the less, I believe that
we should he practical in political acts. In my
judgment II would work a marvellous reform If we
should cease TO be theorists in temperance when we
pray and resolve and something else when vote
Republican-Many men seem to think that be-
cause they have prayed wisely 1t makes no differ
ence how fcolishly they vote. The sensible and
practical way to vote the temperance issue is
10 ballot for it when il is the only question. at
different time of the year. To thrust into the
the front is obscure its proper considerati ton
A. this time there are thousands Of men. good
to deal the silver beresv and s bataGI Mn 9LSn
final blow. Your ticket gives them no such op-
portunity. ard a result they judge your position
III timed ana impracticable and vote accordingly
PTohi6itionist-There is no need Of voting on the
def ard Lhat Is settled and tie gold stand
vote The frohibition ticket even IT, in consequence
currency. II We could have a million votes for
Pr2htbu09 NJ, thiE fai at the price Of putting Dem
cheapest Investment we ever made.
expensive investment It would be TGnous r'G i'
would be commercial catastrophe a business
but BRYAN and 1901 would be worse still. on the
Bryan is Cleveland never preached repudiation
but Bryan does In the interest, too OF temper
are out Of work they grow low spirited and drink
for man knows hst to keep his naca be mus
let liquor alone fun dinner pail means empty
Financially, il Is not safe to elect Bryan The
. Sola standard IS NOT permanently Bryan
insists that silver is much issue now as in
1895 He has been publicly asked IT, in case he was
elected, he would undertake to pay the obliga-
fions OF the Government in silver He declined to
answer The fact Is. his mind is warped on this
subject. He Is not to be trusted. He is either
honest or dishonest. II he is dishonest he is Of
course. out OF tho question a candidate for the
Presidency II he is honest he Is more dangerous
still. Is il your disposition TO lock up your valu-
abies in a safe then dismiss the faithful and CON
scientious watchman and put your treasures in
charge Of a skilful burglar and blower? This
is time when need TO put sensible and upright
guard not cranks and frauds
PrOhihtionist-If you propose TO make money and
It's loss feature In this discussion the Prohibition
party has something to say on that subject. Con
slider the money lost through liquor / need not
give the figures; they are familiar TO all, money
running every year into the billions of dollars
Here IS waste, q terrible waste, that would
ike TO
Republican-True; but. then. bear in mind that
intemperance is not the only money waster. Loss
OF labor is item that runs sometimes up to ex-
pensive rates. And while It is admitted that in
temperance loss OF labor II is not
the only nor the most serious The shut
ting of absolutely of all opportu ty for employ
ment is yet and this happened a ruinous
degree during CleYelands administration. In one
year alone hve millions OF men. at average wage
of 81 S. day thrown OF work Here was
loss, in round numbers. OF Sz500, 900 900 in solid
cash 10 say nothing of the value Of the time
squandered No wonder the country grew poorer