Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-06-28
Minnesota and Prohibition.

That there is a great awakening upon
the subject of prohibiting the liquor traf-
fc no one can fail to see. In Ohio, Indiana,
Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania
and Maryland there is vigorous cam
paign going on. The movement in most
states takes the form Of Constitutional
amendment. Any one can see the adj
vantage of this form of legislation,
because it takes the sense of the people
as to the legislation they desire. This is
not only to give the movement its strong
est position, but it is fair to all parties.
If the people desire to prohibit the liquor
traffic they have the right to do So That
question was settled by the supreme
court of the United States some thirty
years ago when Judge fancy was Chief
Justice As to whether it is expedient
to do it we are willing to meet the friends
of the liquor traffic in fair and honorable
debate, before the nigh tribunal which is
to decide the question. If this traffic is a
source of advantage and wealth to the
people, it ought not to be difficult to show
it. If it is fruitful source of proverty
and misery, it ought not to be difficult to
show that. Come, let us reason together.
We all expect to live in this country and
to have our children live here after us. We
should leave them the best form of
government we can, and in the best social
condition possible. The friends of Con-
stitutional Amendment declare their pur-
pose to bring this question before the
people, and secure vote upon it-whether
they desire to continue the traffic or not.
Their opponents have the advantage of
possession-the liquor traffic already
exists. They ought not to object, there
fore, to our position. If the traffic exists
against the wishes of the people, they
ought not to desire it's continuance, since
the people have the right to determine
all such questions.
If the people desire the continuance of
the liquor traffic we shall submit to their
expressed will like good citizens, only re-
serving to ourselves the right to try and
convert the people to our views. Our
opponents have the same privilege. There
will be no mobs to disturb their meetings
when they want to show the people the
great advantages that accrue to them
from the liquor trade, and the benign IN
fuences of the saloons How they enrich
their customers and send hope and cheer
and light and warmth to their homes.
Come, gentlemen, we are in earnest, and
we propose to try titles with you, in q fair
vote and fair count. And we are ready
to meet you in fair and open discussion
before the people. For the present we
simply ask one thing-That the legisla-
ture shall submit an amendment to the
constitution prohibiting the manufacture
and sale of intoxicating drinks to the
people for their adoption or rejection.
-. We have nothing to conceal. Our aims
and methods are boldly proclaimed to
all men. And we shall secure a vote on
this question before we are done with it.
The legislature may refuse next winter,
but they will not always refuse. We do
not ask any political party to endorse the
doctrine of prohibition, but no party dares
to put itself on record against our propo.
sition. Neither is it good policy for any
party to undertake to put away our reas.
enable request with platitudes. We are q
& part of the people, and have our rights
and shall maintain them.
s.. E. r. LATHRoP.