Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-02-19
STATE DEMOCRAT.

STATE DEMOCRAT.|
os1r - DAv1k1bart IA
>>-
sesssssv usrans...........Rss. &. 1859.
Te1Desaaeo he 0ssse = - Me1s by the
0eDsb1aesns In the NeHe Eseesles.
From present appearances, it would
seem that the Republican party pro-
pose once more 70 make the Tenn
perauce, Maine Law, question the great
issne in the coming autumn contest
for State officers and Members Of the
Legislature. Bleeding Kansas, free
soil,' free niger and Fremont unfor-
tnnately for the Republican sspi-
rants for public honors and public
emoluments, have ceased TO arouse the
passions and excite the enthusiasm Of
. philanthropic people, and the ling
heads who pull the wires which make
the puppets dance, have come to the
conclusion that some new issue must
be started to tickle the fancy OF the
populacc and give them little long
er lease of power. The necessities Of
the case within the past few months
became urgent. 1t was evident that
something must be done to prop up
the tottering fortunes of the Republi-
can party-accordingly the leaders
and long heads, and sachems, and
powers, and principalities Of the party,
and Governor Grimes, cast about them
for q new issue. But every possible
issue against the Democracy had been
taken, and every ism adopted as the
creed Of the party. Every local pre-
judice which could be safely aroused,
had been pandered to, before, and not
a stone was found untouched by the
laborers, and the task was therefore a
difficult one. At last, as nothing else
could be found, as a measure Of des-
pcration, they determined to return to
the issue of Temperance. That stone,
although they had turned it several
times, they hoped might possibly be
turned once more to advantage. Or
ders were therefore issued, and the
consequence has been the Temper
rance Meetings'-wherein Republican
orators made thrilling speeches against
this rum party,'-passed resolutions
to enforce the Maine law, and the
articles upon a renewed interest in
the cause Of Temperance in divers
Republican journals,-all Of which we
have mentioned in our column of
State Items, as they occurred. No
one can more sincerely regret the vice
of intemperance, than We, no one
can more truly pity the condition Of
the unfortunate who has become a
slave to intoxicating drinks, and no
one would more truly rejoice to see
a universal reform in the premises -
but at the same time, we, in common
with the mass Of the people, are OPP
posed to all sumptuary laws, and es-
pecially to making = political issue of
temperance. No good has ever result
ted from bringing the question into
the political arena.
The unconstitutional and illegal laws
which. have been adopted have never
been enforced, and have only served
to breed contempt for the acts of
the Legislature, and defiance of
civil regulations-and inaddition,-
the question has been taken advant-
age of by designing politicians but
as a stepping stone to Positions
after getting which, they have turned
about and rcpudiated the promises up
on which we'll intending people had
elected them.
But from present appearances it
seems that we shall again be compelled
to discuss the question. The same
Republican journals which, for some
time past have been so enthusiastic
upon the subject Of lager beer we
may expect-in localities where the
movement will be shortly to
read temperance lectures to their read
ers, while the same Republican Leg
islators, who drank one hundred and
forty-seven dollars and thirty-nine
cents worth of brandy and had it
charged to the State. last winter, will
mount the stump and expatiatc upon
thu evils of dram drinking.
Will the people be humbugged a.
gain What do our German friends
say to the new platform
IL Mr.. B. F. Butler. . lawyer of Boston,
10 somewhat noted for his severity in exam.
lining witnesses. A correspondent of the
lpnfmru palatna.