Of this question it is the political aspect which at the present time is
most prominent. It is becoming a grave, disturbing force in our politics.
Viewing the temperance cause in the light of political action, it is
clear that it is advancing, and that those who have the cause at heart
have reason to thank God and take courage. No little chagrin was felt
when it was known that the noble action of the people of Iowa a year ago,
in voting for constitutional prohibition, was, owing to a technicality,
of none effect. But again in that great state the battle has been fought;
this time in a different way. The Republican party there had the wisdom
to champion the prohibition measure; this plank was squarely inserted
in the party platform, and in the campaign recently closed it was the
leading issue. We have the result of the election, and it should give
the friends of temperance encouragement and hope. A second time this
righteous principle has triumphed. The Republican party has won the day,
and if its avowed purpose is redeemed in the State of Iowa, the sale of
strong drink will soon be made a crime. We turn to the state of Ohio,
and here, too, we see sure tokens that the temperance cause is moving
forward. The confession comes from prominent politicians, that if, in
Ohio as in Iowa, their party had adopted prohibition it might have been
better. This was not done; but the question in the late election was
submitted to a popular vote and the result, all things considered, is
most encouraging. Some sanguine people may have had faith that the
prohibitory amendment would be carried, but perhaps the number was not
large. That it received the great vote it did in a state where the liquor
interest is of such magnitude and so strongly intrenched, is something to
cheer and make thankful the hearts of good people.
One does not need the vision of a prophet to see that the day of the
triumph of prohibition in our country is coming on. The right is to
win. The time is in the not-distant future when state laws and state
constitutions will say that men shall not make their living by pandering
to the depraved appetite of fellow men. The rum-seller’s business will
be made illegal and criminal. Even those who are looking forward to the
prohibition of the liquor traffic by the national constitution will not
long be called fanatical and visionary. But meanwhile other work for
temperance besides that looking to this condition of things, so much to
be desired, should not be neglected. Personal effort to preserve the
youth and reclaim men is always demanded. People are clearly in error
who say: “Prohibition or nothing.” Laws whose aim is the curtailing of
liquor selling, should be sought, enacted, sustained and enforced as
better than none at all. Until we can have prohibition, let us have as
stringent restrictive enactments as possible. It is a short-sighted view
of things which prompts such a sentiment as this: “If we can not have
prohibition, let us have free rum.” The adage of the “half-loaf” and
the “whole” is full of sound wisdom. We can but think there are earnest
temperance men who make a grave mistake. Prohibition—unquestionably the
true measure to apply to the liquor traffic, and for whose adoption we
should persistently work—fills their minds and hearts. They bend their
energies to secure this. But for other legal measures, falling short
of this desideratum, and aiming only to restrict the wretched traffic,
they have no support. Everywhere restrictive liquor statutes are seen
very imperfectly executed for want of interest and determined effort
on the part of temperance people, whose rigid enforcement would work a
grateful change in our communities. If the law says that the saloon shall
not be opened on Sunday; that it shall be closed at a certain hour of
the night; that intoxicants shall not be sold to youth under a certain
age, or by any provision looks to the diminution of the great curse of
our people, it should be regarded as good so far as it goes, for so
much of prohibition as it contains, and should have the support of good
citizens, though their hope looks and their labors are directed to the
total prohibition by law of the sale of strong drink as a beverage. To
make the best and most of what we have is the true policy in every issue
of life. If we can not have prohibition now, we can see that our laws
are enforced. When they are thoroughly enforced, we will be much nearer
prohibition.