Earnest And Hopeful

Ihe adherents to the prohibition party are not given to brass bands and pompous displays, but they certainly are very enthusiastic in a quiet way. Nearly 200 of them.from a'l parts of the county, gathered at the rink on Thursday morning last. O. R. L. Crozier was made chay-man. T . address of welcome was given by Kuv. A. S. Carman and short speeches were delivered by 0. B. L. Crozier, Prof. Steti e, Mr. Isbell, of Pittsfield, Mr. Paul, of Ypsilanti town, and others. Reporta from the township did not show a large increase of members; in other respects, they were not discouraging. The proceedings in the morning were informal. Those IN THE AFTERNOON were quite different. Mrs. M. J.Warner, of Ypsilanti, delivered the first paper. She discussed, in a forcible manner, "Work for the Future Voter." She did not accept the ordinary definition of governmeHt, that it was designed to protect merely the life and property of citizens, but insisted that moráis should be included. The best government was the one which best protected all three, whether it was a republic, or an absolute monarchy. All public evils must be abolished. The voter must be taught that temperance is better than the tariff. He must learn that there is no liberty unless coupled with obedience to law. When right rules, the personal liberty of those who do wrong :s necessarily abridged. Again, the future voter must be taught that no one has any right to do wrong. He must be encouraged to think and act independently. He must be trained to be a total abstainer. How are these results to be accomplished? Home training is necessary, but its influence is often exaggerated. The schools, again, should be utilized. The relatlon of the liquor traffic to political economy and the effect of alcohol on the constitution mustboth be taught. The church should be first and foreinost. in every mqral reform - otherwise, itwill not fulfll its sacred mission. The speaker thought that the church, instead of ignoring political parties, was bound to ally itself to that party which promised prohibition. The press also should be utilized. In time, it would become popular to be a temperance man - a prohibitionist. The problem, how to COMBINE THE TEMPERANCB FORCES, was discussed by Prof. J. B. Steere. He first mentioned several characteristics of the typical prohibitionist. In the first place, he is not very enthusiastic íor "moral suasion." He is apt to consider the enforcement of the present law not very important. He is absorbed in party work, and when he casta bis vote, is likely to say that he has nothing more to do in the matter. He is given to sharp criticism of other parties. The reault is that he cuts himself off from the rest of the community and is called a crank. Prohibitionists apparently make no votes except such as are born to them. How can prohibitionists obtain a better standing? Certainly not by voting or praying less for party success,but by making less sharp speeches - by working all the while to save drunkards and by being ready to ally themselves toall who sympathize with them. A PLATFORM PROPOSED. 0. R. L. Crozier next suggested severa! points for a prohibition party platform They were, in brief, first, a recognition of divine authority as the only safeguard of moráis. Second, a declaration that the traffic in alcoholic liquors is incompatible with good governmeni and must be both prohibited and suppressed. Third, free schools and compuleory education, all teachers to take the oath of total abstinence during eervice. Fourth, an equitable tax fiystem. Fifth, protection of labor from (Xtortion and the suppression of monopolies, trusts and combines. Sixth & revisión of election laws so as to proTide against ignorant voting - at the same time securing secret ballot and fair count - also providing for woman suf frage. Seventh, a full legal tender currency, sufficient for the business o the country and issued exclusively by the government. Eight, governmen control of railroads and telegraphs Tenth,support of Columbian world's fair Eleven, reciprocity with foreign coun Wee, especially those of the American continent. Twelfth, prohibition of alien Und ownership. Thirteenth, liberal pensions. Fourteenth, election o Presidents and senators by direct vote "fteenth, no evenue for licensing vice Siitaenth, election of representativos who will work for thepeople's intere&ts Seventeenth.stateand national"drunks n the name of patriotism and under he augpices of the G. A. R., areadisrace to the nation. Milo J. Sweet, of the Normal school, delivered an oration entitled, Victory our War Cry . It was a creditable producion but contained no new thoughts. ELECTION AND OTHER BUSINESS. Prof. J. B. Steere was unanimously elected cbairman of the county committee. O. R. L. Croiier was reelected ecretary. It was decided to raise from $80 to 100 by subscription to re-imburse Mr. Crozier for money disbursed and to pay tf r. Lathers for five weeks' work around he county. A large sumwasimmedately pledged.