The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-07-16
PARTY LOYALTY AND PARTY
MORALITY.

That the great host OF 1ntelllSent,
upright men and women who believe
in Prohibition are amazed and dis
gusted with the treatment they have
received at the two political conven-
tions is clearly apparent.
1t is too early to indicate the
course of action which our people
should pursue.
1t may, however, with propriety be
pointed out that both conventions
were controlled by those who, if they
do not rely upon the wet vote of the
country, at least fear to offend it by
any open stand upon the Eighteenth
Amendment and it's proper enforce
ment.
In short, it is the old political trick
put over on us by the reactionary So
called organization element OF both
parties who believe the platforms,
and the candidates presented. are
not sufficiently wet to ALLEVIATE the
temperance Democrats or Repunli-
cass and that the vets can be cons
trolled by the usual methods used by
organization bosses. The councils of
men of the kidney of Penrose and
Murphy and Brennan prevailed over
those of Bryan asd Sheppard and
White of Kansas.
AS a vital matter it need not
greatly affect the situation if only
our friends will remember that the
real fight centers in the election OF
Congressman and United States Sem
ators rather than that of President.
The present incumbent has not
shown a warm sympathy for Prohibi-
ton, but has not greatly hindered us
in the ratification of the National
Amendment, and the passage Of war
time legislation and the Volstead Act.
The real fight is over the repeal OF
certain sections of the Volstead Act,
so as to permit the sale of wine and
beer. If our people will be alive to
this issue and refuse the sophistical
pleas for party regularity, which will
be made by the politicians, we can
resist successfully the nefariou.
Our friends should remember that
party regularity from the national
standpoint does not indicate whether
the voter shall vote wet or dry, as
the platforms are practically sllen,
on this question. In Maryland it Is
true the wet party leaders forced
wet declaration into the state plat
form, but the intelligent, decent ele-
ment of the party hsa shown that
they can, and will refuse to support
a candidate who is opposed to their
convictions. The greatest service a
good Republican or good Democrat
can do to his party is to refuse to
support any candidate put forth, by
manipulation, through bossism, and
the disreputable elements of the
party. The highest loyalty a man
can give to his party is to give that
service in accordance with his moral
asd religious convictions; to refuse
to vote for a man who does not
reasonably represent his convictions
and to repudiate as we'll, any inter
probation of his duty to support the
platform in whole. or in part, thai
insults his convictions, and treats
him as a man without sense or dis
cernment.
My countrymen, remember that
one of the fundamental lessons
which the history of great move
ments of civilization teaches us is,
that at bottom every question is
moral and that somehow, in spite of
the short-sighted expediency policies
which politicians and rulers make,
there is still as DR.. Arnold says, "a
power not of us which makes for
righteousness" If we as citizens of
this Republic link ourselves 10 this
power, no earthly power, no matter
how skillful or adroit, can defeat us.
Let us, therefore, fight for the right
manfully and await the issue with
characterization Issue.