Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-02-17
REPIRIICsN INDIGESTION.

lBtlIIEAN ANbE11hHIOLNs
Republican leaders at Trenton. if
there be any in the present Legislature,
are certainly making an awful mess
of the liquor legislation. They do
not yet know how they stand. Like
Bugbee, the defeated candidate for
governor, they are neither hot nor
cold-wet nor dry. They act as IL
they were scared to death
There is nothing more disgusting
than a ~spineless legislator. The peo-
pie like to see a man, or party either,
for or against an issue. The straddler
commands little respect.
It is stated that Republicans in the
House claim that any legislation tend
ing to open up the bars would bear
the Republican imprint. giving to that
party any advantage that might accrue
from such a move. These Republicans
are mistaken. 1t Is true that no
legislation can be passed without tho
consent of the Republicans. But any
legislation tending to make New Jersey
wet" would be put down as a victory
for Governor Edwards and the Demo-
cratic party. AS far as the legislature
Is concerned, it would be a case Of
the tail wagging the dog.
The Democratic party has annexed
the booze vote. 1t was the Democratic
party that carried the banner of the
liquor interests into the last campaign.
Il was on the slogan hat Mr.. Edwards
would make New Jersey as wet as
the Atlantic ocean hat he was elected
largely because the Republicans
were afraid to commit themselves one
way or the other on the issue.
Having been elected on such an
understanding, and If legislation is en-
, acted carrying out the promise made
by the Democratic candidate it is plain
that the credit will be all his and tho
Republicans who, at this late date, try
TO steal the Democratic thunder will
simply be making fools Of themselves.
The impression Is getting more and
moro firmly established h a the
Republican party in New Jersey-in
the hands of those who now control it,
at least-is utterly without principle.
1t is merely out to get the votes and
Is ready to flop to any side of a ques-
ton that gives it the best chance Of
winning.
The right or wrong Of the booze
question does not seem to count with
The Republicans. Apparently they are
afraid to take a definite stand and go
forth to a glorious victory or down to
an honorable defeat on the outcome.
How different is this attitude from
the early days of the Republican party
Fremont in 1856 stood for a principle.
He was defeated, but his defeat was
only the OF grand achieve
ment Of Abraham Lincoln.
Imagine, II you can, Lincoln, hesitat-
INK anu btpcllil5 III Aho AAAA@ va
slavery question trying to determine on
which side were the most votes so that
he might choose the winning side and
be elected. Lincoln said slavery was
wrong. He cared not whether he got
the votes or not. He stood for some
thing definite. He fought for what he
stood for and he won immortal fame.
The prohibition issue and the ques-
ton of slavery may not be exactly the
same, but the moral is the same. AS
q matter of fact, there was just as
much talk about personal liberty in
regard to the slave question in
Lincoln's day as there Is In regard to
the use OF liquors today.
But the cry of personal liberty and
state rights did not disturb Lincoln.
1t only made him the more determined
for he knew he had the right on his
side. He also knew that. in the long
run, right makes might.
We wonder IL Abraham Lincoln
would recognize the Republican party
In New Jersey today with It's indecision
and timidity on the booze question.
Truly it is a sorry spectacle that the
members of the once Grand Old Party
are making of themselves at Trenton.
Putting aside the principle involved,
the Republicans have already lost the
wet" vote and they are rapidly
driving away the "drys." They pre-
+ sent the ignominious spectacle OF
standing for nothing at all.
TRADE WITH GERMANY.
III, s.,tk orao;oYxr NO h,.f