Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1883-01-20
WHY NOT MAKE HASTE SLOWLY {

wi Otnto SoutIdl SouuAlielSos WI
John O'Day, chairman. is in session l
Jefferson City. If they have the sens
they are credited with. they will NJ
fool with the torpedo of prohibition
As a party measure 1t will prove a
explosive as dynamite or giant powder.
We cannot always agree with Col
Switzler, but it affords US pleasure Il
do SO when we can, because we beiiev'
him to be honest in his convictions. w
do not desire to have the democratic
party fool with the torpedo of prohi
bitioD;" In this we agree with him, Blu
it seems to us that our friend
practically acts the other way. In thu
state convention last summer we took
the position that the question was mo-
a partisan political one, but a mora
one, and that 1t should not be made
party issue. AS a legislator we declar'
ed Dur opposition to prohibition, bu1
conceded what we deemed the demo.
cratic right of the people to decide
questions of all kinds themselves, and
hence voted in favor of the submission
OF the amendment.
We have seer no cause TO change oul
Vows on these points, and we conceive
there are many democratsin the present
legislature who agree with them. All
such gentlemen are placed in a very
awkward situation. They are not the
men who are under the liquor influence,
or they would not favor su omission, and
in any event with an adequate demand
coming from the people thew will vote
to submit, as a matter of duty. At the
same time they see that II the amend
ment is submitted at the election in 1884,
tho mere submission will have q
powerful political influence. The par
ty in power in the state will be held
responsible tor the act of submission,
and many earnest opponents of prohib :
ton will consequently oppose that
party at the polls.
Say that it is only the whisky ele-
ment ofthe democratic party that would
abandon it from such q cause, is there
one single republican, no matter how
much ola moralist or how much OF an
advocate of prohibition, who will vote
with the democrats because they show
the moral courage to do what they con.
slider right, IN spite OF their conviction
that it will result in party disadvan-
tsgeP The whisky element in the
republican party will be sure to use their
utmost influence TO carry their natural
allies with them against any party that
submits tue constil utional amendment,
and there will be no compromising vote
from the other classes in that party.
We arc utterly and always opposed
to doing a wrong act in order to secure
party advantage. The best thing to do, |
always, is to do the right. But here is a
question which should be kept out of
party politics. Sabmit 1t in 1884 and
is impossible. Vote for Mr.. Jones'
amendment permitting constitutional
to-be voted on st special
elections, and submit the question at
such an election, and the thing may be
done.
Just as it is unwise for the anti prohi-
bitionists 20 oppose the submission, it
unwise for the prohibirionists to in
list upon the submission in 1884. In
hat year there is to be a Gladiatorial
'ostest between two great political par
upon national questions. They are
'lreadV stripping for the fight. 1t is to
'e a life and death struggle. The DEM
'cratio party is promised victory II no
lde issues or entangling alliances are
'ermitted-if no mistakes are made
hsse things will be mistakes. There
ore. democratic representatives natur.
lily say, "We recognize the right of the
'eople to decide all public questions;
range hat this one, which is only part
such, shall not interfere with our fight
nth the republican party on national
uestions, and we will vote TO submit
he amendment"
Prohibitionists no doubt love their
ause; so do democrats. 1t would,
lerefore. only be reasonable for the for.
Ter to concede something to the latter
'hen they ask everything at their
ands.
This is a great question, affecting not
My personal rights and privileges Z,
questioned in Missouri.
ut it is an experimental measure.
Aroand Us our nelghbors are trying it
y the test of experience. Why not
ndeavor to benefit by their experience,
ather than learn in the costly and per-
APPS calamitous school, a test of the
latter in our own commonwealth? Il
Why not wait to see how it turns out {
18th them, before we destroy millions
t dollars worth of property in our own
aud deprive our farmers of a
ONE market for millions of bushels Of i,
,eir cereal cropsP /.
May there not be wisdom In such an l
nportsnt matter in making haste :