Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 September 1908 — Disfranchise the Country Vote. [ARTICLE]

Disfranchise the Country Vote.

Rev. U. G. Leazenby, pastor First M. B. church at Terre Haute, gives a strong plea for county local option in the following words: “County local option is greatly to be preferred over ward and township lolocal ptlon. Under the ward and township plan the saloonists would colonize voters in one or more wards of each city and thereby force the saloon on almost every city of any size in the state, and it would be possible In a great many townships to do the same. The county unit, giving the whole people the right to the expression of their wishes in the matter, vouchsafes to the people in the country districts the right to voice their opinions, a right which cannot reasonably be denied them as long as they have to pay the taxes to prosecute men for committing crime while under the influence of liquor. The ward and township unit would practically disfranchise the man who lives in the country."

Mr. Marshall should know the meaning of the priesthood’s high function. The preacher Is dedicated and consecrated to the service of man and God. His ordination does not disfranchise him as a citizen and set him apart as a hermit. The ministers of the state In speaking, even from their pulpits and altars, for the Republican party and its policies, have a proper sense of their office. Especially is this true this year, when a moral question of immense importance Is in the forefront of political party Issues. From their pulpits the preachers are persistent In proclaiming against the evil of the open saloon. It is fitting that they should come down into the arena of practical politics and fight for their beliefs, inducing their fellow citizens to see as they do. There they serve the cause of practical Christianity and human religion.

In Indiana the Republican party believes that the people should rule. Mr. Bryan’s attention Is respectfully directed to the fact that his party leaders here do not believe that way, and are doing their evil utmost to advance the “interests.” True, he never did like Taggart, though now he Is with him on a basis of mutual profit-shar-ing. We are not appealing to Bryan. In the presence of evil that works his way he is a sphinx. We will fight our own battle and the brewery Democrats will know we have been in the ring when they “take the count,” both in the special session of the legislature and on tbe coming election day.

When the Northwest Indiana Methodist Conference in Attica last week declared formally for county local option on the liquor question it was not acting as a political body, but as a gathering of ministers and men who have at heart the good of their own homes and all bomea throughout the state. This moral question is this year • political question also, and the party that has nailed it to its mast Is the one all good citlzena should vote for. Let none such be absent from the polls on election day. Let all such In the meantime work to ln< ;oe a neighbor In doubt to think aright on a matter It really seems hard .to think otherwise on than with the Republican party. -