Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-08-18
D0uble-Dealing of the Democratic
State Convention on the Liquor
Question.

QueStlOn.
1t appears on the face OF the plat
form adopted by the democratic State con
vention that the liquor question was passed
by. This seemed SO apparent that the
party has been congratulated considerably
upon what appeared its willingness tc
cease opposition to the prohibitory laws
of our State.
But when we find as we do upon read
ing the proceedings of the convention
that the St. Louis platform of 1876 was
re-affirmcd and endorsed at Portland, we
are obliged to conclude that deep game
Of deception was attempted to be played
upon the public. The first resolution in
the democratic State platform is as fol-
lows:
The democracy of Maine, in State Convention
assembled, hereby reafirm the platform OF the
National democratic party, adopted at ST. Louis
In June, 1876.
This re-afiirms every principle in the
st. Louis platform, but the platform is moi
published in the democratic papers MOI
was it read in the convention 80 that il
could be heard and seen and understood
The excuse for keeping the platform in
the back ground is that it is very long, but
there is evidently another reason than this
for 80 doing. One of its declarations OF
principle Is as follows:
THE LIBERTY OF INDIVIDUAL
CONDUCT UNVEXED BY SUMPTU-
AIRY LAWS"
This declaration is one OF complete
hostility to the prohibitory laws of our
State. There was no need that the con-
vention should single out the laws of
Maine for attack, since by endorsing the
above broad and sweeping declaration it
stands opposed to prohibition in Maine
and everywhere else on the face of the
earth. In reality they have widened their
hostility to prohibition instead of ceasing
to oppose it. They have set trap for
temperance men. and even some who were
in the convention fell into it. Mr.. Mason
Of Auburn was evidently one that was
fooled. We take it he is sincerely tenn
peranoe man. for when resolve was in
PRODUCED in the convention for the repeal
of the prohibitory law, he opposed it in
words which we have no doubt came from
an honest heart. That resolve was voted
down and Mr.. Mason supposed temper
snce had gained a victory, but the re-
affirmation of the st. Louis platform de-
feated the purpose he had in view though
he did not know it al the time. If he does
not know that he was deceived let him
look at the st. Louis platform and read
there for himself the words which we
have quoted above: 1.-THE liberty Of in
dividual conduct unvexed by sumptuary
laws
Mr.. Rawson of Bangor, said in the con-
vention, as we find his words reported in
the Argus: II HAVN'T FOUND A SIN
GLE DEMOCRAT'HERE TO-DAY WHO
DOES NOT AT HEART OPPOSE THE
PROHiBITORY LAW, IN IT'S PRACTI-
CAL WORKINGS" This spoke the SEN
timent of the democratic party. But the
convention had not the courage to declare
Its opinion openly. fearing that all temper.
ance men would shun it, as they ought
and 30 while apparently giving the liquor
question the go-by in their resolutions
they In fact endorsed free rum all over tht
universe in the very first resolve of the
platform which they adopted. The lead
ers OF course understood the trick. They
will hold up to temperance men the action
of the convention in voting down the re.
solves against prohibition as an evidence
of q change OF sentiment in regard to
temperance. and for this solicit temper.
snce votes; and on the other hand they
will point their free rum followers to the
first resolution and tell them they have al
they want in that. Let republicans every
where expose and denounce this shame
full and contemplate trick to deceive hon
est voters. Win Mr.. Mason and othe
democrats like him vote the democrats
ticket when they see that such vot
pledges them squarely against Temperance
and prohibition