Daily globe., 1883-10-30
ADDRESS
OF THE
DE mocra'ic state Central Com mittee to
the People of Minnesota.


Grave political dangers threaten the
state. Fanaticism has demanded that the
constitution be SO amended as to provide
for the prohibition both of the manufac-
ture and the sale of vinous, malt or spirit
uous liquors. The Republican party has
yielded to the demand, and has endorsed
the moastrous proposition for a prohibi-
tory constitutional amendment. The pro-
hibitory movement is declaration of war
upon innocent and long-sanctioned
social customs. It is menace to numer-
Gus fourishing and profitable industries.
1t is an unjusti6able attack upon personal
liberty.
If any right has ever been deemed sa-
cred, and beyond the proper scope of die
tatorial legislation, such is, unquestion-
ably, the right of personal choice in mat
ters of food and drink. This right the Re-
publican party now seek to invade.Against
the unwarrantabls assumptions of fanatics
and scheming politicians the people must
unite in opposition. To acknowledge the
right of governmental dlctation in the reg
ulation of diet is to admit the right of such
dictation in matters of religion, dress, and
all other purely private concerns.
Any concession to the political folly
which ia termed 'prohibition," will pave
the way for countless encroachments
upon the reserved rights of the individual
The Republican-Prohibition party advo-
Gates policy which would destroy the
capital invested in the business of brewing
and distilling, would turn thousands of
men out of remurerative employment, and
would ruin thousands of men whose voca-
ton has hitherto enjoyed legal protection
equally with other vocstions. Can the
evils complained of by the advocates of
prohibition be removed by prohibitory
liquor laws? Let Massachusetts, answer
ths question!
The Democratic party has protested
and declared against prohibition in its
platform andshas denounced all SUN vtu-
airy legislation.
The following is the language in which
the Democratic platform refers to this
subject:
''We, the Democracy of Minnesota, in conven-
lion assembled, reatfirn our devotion to the
time-honored maxims OF the Democratic party,
that that government is best which governs least;
which leaves the citizens in the enjoyment of
the greatest personal liberty consistent with the
rights Of others and the public welfare; and
while it affords full protection to life and pro-
perty, allows the creeds, business and customs
of the people to remain unfettered by sumptu-
ary laws, class legislation ard extortionate
lnonopolies.
Second-The constitutions are made to prc-
tect the minority Of the people against tie en-
croachments of the majority; that no PROPOSE
ton for change of or amendment to the
organic law of the state should be entertained
or submitted to vota of the people, which f
adopted by the majority, would prevent the
minority from exercising their inherent and in
ahenable rights That we consider the enact
ment of sumptuary or prohibitory laws sub
version Of the rights OF the people and that we
are unalt rablly opposed to them"
Under the present circumstances the
friends of personal liberty can maintain
their cause, and protect the interests of the
state, only by lending their support to the
Democratic party in the pending Pohti-
cal contest.
If personal liberty is to be sacrificed
Democracy will not be answerable for the
disaster.
The Republican party is also committed
to perpetuation OF the high protective
sarif which has so long and SO grieyously
burdened the industries of the west. Il
is time that the people of the Mississippi
valley revolted against this indefensible
sc6ene of spoliation. In order to main
tain the protective system, the Republican
party has continued q rate of taxation which
lodges millions of surplus revenue in the
federal treasury. To unfetter trade, turn
the golden current of surplus revenue from
the public treasury iato the pockets
OF the people. and to rigidly pursue pol
leg OF exact justice toward ell sections of
the Union, and toward all industries, is the
ayowed purpose Of the Democratic party
No one can mistake the political signs
which mark the present era. The people
of the United States are anxious for a
change Of governmental policy, and for a
thorough reform in the administration OF
public affairs. The people of Ohio have
repudiated Republicanism and prohibit
ton by decisive majorities, and We firmly
believe that the result attained il Ohio can
be realized in Minnesota.
The cause for which we co1tend
recommends itself to every
thoughtful citizen. Popular rights are ct
stake. PERSONAL LIBnRTY is to be defend
ed. Fanaticism is to be rebuked. Tariff
| monopoly is to be crushed. We have re-
ceived reliable assurances from ell quar-
ters of the state indicating that formid-
able revolution against the dominant par
ty is working It's way among the people
and promises 20 bs triumphant.
We congratulate Minnesota on the pros
pect and ask the aid of all patriotic citi-
zens in advancing the success of that
cause which names as its motto, ''REFoRM,
Low TAXATION AND PERSONAL LIBERTY"
MICHAEL DCEAN, Chairman.
William s. Gray, former resident of
Dover, N. j., returned there Tuesday night