Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1883-07-14
Gen. Marmaduke and Prohibition.
The following correspondence has bee,
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Inc following correspondence MAJ Uoon
made public. It explains ITSELF
NATIONAL TEllPERANCE BENEFrT)
ALLIANCE-HoME OFFICE.
W~ARRENsBURo, Mo-, July 3, 1881
Gen. John s. Marmaduke, st. Louis, Mo:
Dear sir-The Missouri Prohibition Alliance,
recently convened In this city, adopted the
following resolutions, to which we would
most respectfully call your attention:
sFffth-That while We disclaim any inten.
ton to require Of candidates for Office that
they shall declare their views on the "ssssss
of prohibition, we are aware Of the hc& that
the governor, In his inaugural address and IN
his messa9es, may imperil the submission Of
aprehibitory amendment by opposing the
same; therefore, resolved, that the president
and secretary of this alliance arc hereby d..
rected to address all candidates for governor
written requests to announce their position
On the question Of submisslon, and . refusal
on the part of any such candidates to comply
with this request shall be considered as
placing them In opposition to submission"
misunderstanding that yeu are . candidate for
govsEaer, and believing that every candidate
ought to b willing 70 state his position upon
every important question, and In obedience
to directions given in the above resolution,
we would most respectfully ask, that at your
earliest convenience, you will communicate
with rs, definitely defining your position
upon the question submitted for your eonsid-
will favor and work for submission. With
great respect we remain yours, etc.
JOIN A. BROOKS,
Pres. Missouri Prohibition Alliance.
8. 3. REESE, Secretary.
To this communication Gen. Narmaduke
responded in the following language:
ST. LOUIS, Mo. July 9Th, 1888.
Rev. John A. Brooks, President Missouri
Prohibition Alliance, Warrensburg, Mo:
Dear sir-Your favor of I'd inst. came to
hand, together with . copy of 3 resolution
adopted by the Missouri Prohibition Alliance.
at q convention lately held at Warrensburg,
In which I am requested, as 3 candidate for
governor, to announce my position on the
question of the submission Of q prohibitory
amendment to the constitution of this state.
Ny name is before the people Of this state
as . candidate for governor, subject to the
decision of a d democratic convention to be as
sembled according to the ussges of the party,
and should il honor mt with its nomination I
would accept the declaration of principles
made at the convention as the articles for my
political guidance ON all questions of public
policy. =
The constitution is the creation of the peo-
pie, and to them belongs tho absolute right to
amend or change it at their pleasure; and
when their representatives-fresh from the
p~eople-are chosen with reference to 3 spe.
cial demand for the submission Of any propo--
sition to amend, It is, in my opinion, the duty
OF the executive, as well IS the legislative de-
partment, without reference to individai con-
viction to respond cheerfully and promptly to
that demand, and were I the governor of the
state, 1 would feel it my duty not to interfere,
In my inaugural or by special message, to
prevent q free and fair expression of the pop
ular win on a proposed change Of the const-;
tuition on this or any other subject. And,
furthermore, should this or any amendment
be submitted to the people and become Q part,
of the constitution, I, as the chief executive
Of the state, sworn to enforce the law, wheth-
er organic or legislative, would, without fear
or favor, rigidly enforce it by I'LL the means at
my command.
The resolution requesting the candidates
for governor to announce their position On
the question of submission of the amendment
expressly disclaims any intention to ask can.
didates to declare their views on the aasrits of
prohibition: but in order to do Justice to my
own opinions and convictions, and to be fully
understood by you and all othars, I had
rather than not make known my personal
views on this subject.
I Am not a prohibitienist. As a citizen Of
this state, devoted to its intsrests and desiring
its greatest welfare, I would vote against the
amendment should it be submitted to the
people. I would do this for many reasons, but
chiefly and briefly because it is anti-demo.
cratic, and would fail in real reformation.
Ny observation Is that prohibition, 80 called,
has failed to accomplish good results. On the
contrary, in my judgment, it Is 20 imprasti-
cal hat In addition to the misery and crimes
growing out of i%ntemperance, will be born an
innumerable crowd of lswbreakers, liars and
hypocrites if such q law be enacted.
In a word, I believe that intelligent legis-
~lstion-zealous for the good of society, at the
same time guarding with due care the rights
Of citizens-can successfully and wholesome
ly regulate the liquor traffic, but never effec-
tually sulpress it. Very respectfully.
JOHN 8. MARMADUKE.