Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-09-25
Democracy and Rum.

The Republicans of Massachusetts,, in convention
assembled resolved that "it is inexpedient to take
action either way upon the Temperance Law ques-
tion" The leading Radical Germans of our city
proclaim that, in such crisis the present, no
patriotic citizen will abandon the banner of liberty,
Of right of the regenerated Union" All this is
true but it does not gainsay the fact that those who
love Liquor for themselves more than Liberty for
Others and those who seek wealth and ease through
putting the bottle to their neighbours mouth, will
almost without exception, work and vote against
the Republican party. Vainly shall we seek to
concilate or placate them by nominating as candi-
dates men who like liquor and believe the trade in
il should be free water Their instincts tell them
that party based moral idea IS iasUltaby-in
spite even of itselfhoste to their 0is0s and ends.
1t is with them it was with the Southern negro
traders ten to twenty years ago. Some of them were
too smart to drink liquor or could not bear it, but
they all hated Temperance lecturer, snd regarded
him as danger to be resisted, a nuisance to be
abated.
In Maine Democratic Legislature passed the
first act of Liquor Prohibition-though of course
not exclusively by Democratic votes Her first
Governor beaten by the Liquor interest was a DEM
Oerat, and Wing was chosen in his place. But for
many years past the Rum interest in that State has
borne heavily against the Republicans. 1t did so
especially this year, because her late Republican
Legislature passed more stringent Liquor act, sub
hitting it to direct vote of the people for ratea
ton or rejection. They ratified it, by vote of two
or three to one; and the Liquor interest has taken
its revenge therefor the Republican tickets at the
late election.
In Massachusetts, the Republicans have resolved
TO prosecute the canvass Independent of the License
question. They may do it; but the Liquor men
will not. They have secret organization that per-
vades the entire State they boast that it has 5000
nasnnbers; they will nominate State ticket CON-
posed mainly Of Republicans the Democrats will
give it their every vote; it viii be beaten by some
ten to twenty thousand majority; and then the
Sham Democracy wiz everywhere throw up th cir
caps and IRE their guns over what they viii term
"Great Democratic Reaction" in the old Bay State
So in Wisconsin; so in Michigan; so, perhaps, in
Minnesota We Republicans may and win vote for
Universal Liberty and Right. The dovotees of
License will vote for Liquor, and their votes will
all be claimed for Democracy. Thus in 1889 the
Democrats elected the Governor Of Massachusetts
BY the help Of Rum and in 1910 it was carried
against them by more than 10000 majority.
We who love Liberty and hate Rum say, Let
us all vote as our principles dictate then let our
legislators act the Liquor question as they shall
Judge right and proper" Tho Liquor men say,
a No: You Liquor Reconstructionists shall vote as
we choose or we will bolt ard defeat the Republic
can tickets" They can do some harm in the odd
years. when political feeling is anguid and the vote
light but Presidential struggle sets all right =
Ns,r York Tribune