The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1856-02-23
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The Democratic State Convention which
met at Fl. Des Moines on the 7th of Octo.
Der last passed stringent resolution against
the Prohibitory Liquor Law, declaring 1t
.'unconstitu,ional," "anti-democratic," ga
legitimate fruit Of fusioaism," ct variance
"with the true principles Of Democracy"
and urging upon the party to take decisive
and energetic steps TO procure it, repeal"
Hon. Bernhesrt HEM was chairman Of 4
committee appointed by that convention to
prepare an address TO the people OF Iowa.
Shortly after the close Of the convention, in
their name and over his own signature, he
published an address founded upon the reso-
lutions, in which he took the same grounds
with reference to the Prohibitory Law, and
argued at length and with an exceeding per-
sonal teal aud Satisfaction against it; show
ed how. in his mind and that of the Democ-
racy. il was obnoxious to the great cardinal
principles" of that immaculate organixa-
ton; that il must be repealed under their
auspices, for nobody else would do it and
they couldn't tolerate such a tyranieal enact
ment, such moral stencil; said they were
going to make il one of their great issues
Till such deyout consummation was
achieved; that they were not afraid Of being
called ''the whisky party" but they gloried
in the reputation of free grog-shops and un.
restrained liberty to imbibe "rot-gut" ad
hbtum. One would think from the man
ner in which he talked that there never was
such another tyranical and odious law
unless il was the one prohibiting slavery
below &c deg. SO min. west of the Misss-
sippi,- aud that its overthrow would almost
justify u revolution.
Well, another State Convention assem-
bled at Iowa City on the 9Th OF January,
and the democracy put forth new avowal
of their Interchangeable and eternal princi-
pies" and we see by the official record that
this same Mr.. HEM was chairman of the
committee who reported the resolutions
smbodyins their faith. We read them care
fully, anticipating Of course that We should
find all the old gasconade about the hateful
Prohibition law re-hashed and served up
anew; that of course, for every body antici-
pated it; but change of tactics seems to
have been decided upon; the valiant cham
pion of "free liquor" the chieitain who
sounded the alarm against the encr0ach-
ments of tyranny, and called the hosts of
Democracy TO battle for their lost Liberties,
demonstrated his power to "roar you as
gently as a lamb" and the assembled wis.
dom" Of the party showed US how thsir
"eternsl principles" were likely TO be quail
fed BY "sober second thought and the
mutations Of 8 few short weeks. II is Prin.
cipls no more; il 10 policy now; and no liquor
law opens their mouths AMI ehcts their
csndemnations The Prohibitory law, with
ell its tyrsnnic al and hideous requirements,
its infraction of personal rights and public
liberties, 10 allowed to pass without recog-
milton or remark, as though il were thing
that had never been. What is the augury !
Why have the Democracy abandoned in
such hot haste position which they sssum-
ed with SO much boldness and ostentation
but few short weeks beforef Some new
trick in the legerdsmain of Locotocoisn
awaits curious public. Some new speci-
men playground and lofty tumblng 10 to
be exhibited for the benefit of the million
and the advantage of the pipe-laysrs -
Meantime eternal principles" may