The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-02-23
PARKERSHUR0 LErTER.
"GrinueIl" ON the Defeat OF the PrOhIbI.
tion Amendment.

ton Amendment.
Correspondence Of the IntOlligenGer.
PAREERsBuRo, February 22.-The average
West Virginia voter is now engaged in the
attempt to ascertain whether he is a vassal
or peer. It has been supposed that the
toga otthc vassal would not fit the person
Of the sovereign who makes and unmakes
officers and rulers. But this theory seems
to have been exploded by the West Viz.
ginia Legislature. 1t proposes to run the
machine regardless Of the wishes OF those
whose Euhrages gave them this brief author.
ity. Its dictum is set up, like Gesler's cap,
to DO worShiped and 0beyed by the com.
mon herd. The people have nothing to
sAy in tho matter, only to carry out the be.
hests OF these self.appointed tyrants viii
it always be thus? II so, then let con.
vention DO called to change the motto OF
our State. lfOntdni semper libri lily
its the tronileis Of people who
will quietly submit to the un.
Just ediCts Of the body now as.
sembled at Wheeling, calling themselves
tho Legislature. But this thing will no,
always be; and those Legislators who re.
fused the petition OF one.tenth OF the legal
voters Of the State and expect 10 bank their
future political prospects upon the patience
OF the people. will wake up some morning
and realize their mistake. Ten thousand
legal voters OF the State asked the LeCisla.
ture tho privilege Of incorporating into our
organic law the Inhibition Of the manuiac-
ture and sale Of liquor within tho State.
They did not ask the Legislature ID take
any responsibility in the matter, but only to
submit the question TO the legal voters OF
the State. Was the demand wrong or un-
reasonable? How was 1t received? As
Jefferson says in his Declaration Of
Independence, their appeal was greeted
with Insults and they were spurned from
the foot Of the throne. They were told,
in effect, that they were meddling with
matters that did not concern them: that
they must get back to their plowsand 'seng
digging and leave matters otlegislation and
questions OF constitutional law to those
better capable Of judging. The insult given
TO the people could not have been broader
or more emphatic il the petitions had been
returned to the petitioners with the seal
unbroken. Old King John came near los
ing his head for denying to the people
rights OF less importance than this. Per
haps the people will show as much yigor
in welding the political gullotine us the
old barons OF England did, aud will do it
with ms much courage.
do not propose in this short letter to
discuss the moral view OF the question, or
deliver temperance homily. The people
are thoroughly posted as 10 the nature Of
their demands, and are well prepared 10
cast their votes upon the question. The
amendment might or might not have been
ratified by the popular vote. That has
nothing to do with the question. Have moi
tho people a right to be heard on this
question? Have they not right to be
heard on all questions when their demands
Nre couChed in respectful language? Have
not the majority the right 10 dictate the
spirit OF our laws? Is there politician in
the State who dare take the negative OF the
proposition? And yet, some OF the Demo
cratic members Of the Legislature occupy
that position to-day. They have spurneG
the efforts Of the people, denied theil
reasonable requests and have exhibited II
their action species OF moral cowardict
unparalleled in the history OF our State.
Is there no remedy? There Is; and
using a trite provincialism, don't you forge
. Il. The people WELD the weapon BY whicl
rewards and pHnishments arc melted out Il
. their otficers-the ballot The ten thousanC
voters who petitioned for the prohibition
amendment are backed by several tel
thousands who believe in fair play. Thes
! are prepared to resent the insult. Part
shackles will not bind them and the part
e lash will not Brighten them. They meai
i business. They are well organized an
only lack a nucleus in the shape Of a poIit
cal standard to render their action compaC
y and unit. The Democracy must take tn
responsibility OF the defeat Of this measure
Q There is no escape from It, and I, for ont
do not want TO see the Republican part,
+. divide the responsibility with the eneml
/. AS party we can afford to take positio
r. on thisgreat question because it is rigt
q and because the people have right TO b
heard. live believe that that the peopl
d have the right to cast their votes upo
n this question, then as great political O
Q ganization let US boldly say so. Let IL
O Republican party meet in convention ne,
summer, make their nominations and pa
70 n single resolution, something like Il
4 following, and then go home:
p ResoIrtd, That in a free government IL
= will Of the people is absolute; that OF
a right their demands should be- respecte
by the law making power OF the State; tn
r. their demand for submission to the popul
II vote OF the constitutional amendmel
" known as the prohibition amendment,
"a reasonable and just, and we pledge GU
selves unQualifedly TO its adoption NJ
10 submission to the people.
Inmy opinion this will give the State
to the Republicans. GRISSEL1.
II Dreams aud their Conditions.