The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-08-31

lican platform on the subject. That the
republican party intends to fasten the
amendment on the constitution, if possible.
there is no doubt; that it il afraid to say
so is equally clear. ;, Did the republican
state conversion inderse in plain terms
this republican anaendments Not so. I
have the resolution ON the subject before
me. II recognizes the fact that the peo-
pile are divided as to the adoption or re-
jected of
THIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT,
and talks about the right of private judg
ment. H demands. however, that the
next Legislature shall agree to tins and
other amendments without reference to
whether a majority of the members are for
or against them, and without any refer
ence at all to the right of private judg
ment. 1t is pretended that this absurd
and dishonest action on the part of the
legislature is necessary ia order to secure
a submission of this issue to a popular
vote. That is to say, that member of
the legislature elected this fall on that
issue, and in opposition to the prohibitory
amendment, and believing, as he well may,
that the legislature has no constitutional
power to confiscate the property of law
abiding citizen who pay heavy taxes for
their right, is yet required by this rese lu-
ton, and in violation of his oath to support
the constitution to agree to the amend
ment. I am in favor of every measure and
form of submission known to the constitu-
ton itself 1t is not necessary for me to
say that trust and believe in the people,
in their absolute right and capacity to gov
ern themselves; they know L do In the
exercise of this right of self government
the people of Indiana have created and
adopted a constitution which they respect
and obey. By virtue of that constitution
the amendments proposed by the last leg
islature are now before the people, submit
ted to their scrutiny and discussion, and
they will be voted on in November at ev-
cry poll in the state in the election of can
didates pledged for or against them.
AS to the subject of prohibition within
itself, whether il is wise or unwise, wheth
er it falls within the true powers of gov
eminent in its dealings with its citizens,
whether it.enhances the value of temper
ance and morality, or the reverse, are mat
tiers on which there are wide and honest
differences of opinion. In making laws to
govern the people it is part of human ma
ture to recognize human nature as it is.
and as it has been in all ages, rather than
to erect a different standard than that erect
ing extends find that every people on the
globe have believed themselves capable
and entitled to determine what they would
eat, drink and wear. These are the most
fundamental
RIGHTS OF HUMAN NATURE.
To deny them is to place man ON level
shelter according TO your wishes. and not
hal is hn MI
ton, so-called, never prohibits. The in
stinct of self government is strong in every
mans heart, and he at once revolts against
such an intrusion upon his right of private
judgment and self-confrol. Twenty-eight
years ago was just entering upon the af
fairs of life, and the party opposed to the
democracy at that time was a mongrel
of prohibition and know-noth-
ingism in about equal parts. /
the temporary triumph and
the speedy death of this combination par
ty. The attempt to enforce the Maine
law. as it was then called, in Indiana in
1854 was miserable and demoralizing
farce. Nothing is worse in its effects on
the public morals than law which is
dead letter; a law which it is the sworn
duty of courts and juries to enforce, and
which they will not enforce. This was
inc CstSt HI 1oo4, dttu VIII DE agaIu III pro-
hibition is adopted. 1t is the case now to |
\ greater or less extent in every state |
where prohibition nominally prevails. |
fraud, contempt of law, with |
Ill their kindred evils always accompanies 4
such state of things. The daily laborer |
nay be deprived of his beer, but the man |
who is able viii send to Kentucky and get |
ais whisky, which under this amendment |
he can keep and drink to his hearts CON
ent, SO he does not keep ii for sale The |
adoption of this amendment will not keep |
! drop of whisky or brandy or foreign
costly wines out of the state which anyone
wants to bring here to drink 1t will sim /
ply stop the manufacture for sale, and
lose up the vineyards and breweries
which Jefferson, and every philosophic
mind. regarded as great mitigat1ons of the
wills of intemperance.
PENSIONS AND ARREARS.
The speaker next noticed the subject of |
pensions and arrears of pensions, which
lad been under consideration since the last |
ession of congress, and in which he had |
,een assailed in the most pr ointment places
n the United States. He had spoken ear
testify in his place in the Senate on this
subject, and he never expected to change l.
lis position or his opinions. The money I
,aid ont in arrears OF pensions had in |
reased the general currency of the coun-
ry, and made times easy and more pros
,erous. For that very reason the pay.
nent, Of this money had been so savagely |
denounced by the great organs of capitalo
H. H., 49,