Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-09-05
The First Duty Of Every Citizen.

Through the newspapers it appears
that certain Republicans are deserving
their party and going over TO the
Democracy, giving as reason that the
Republican party has declared itself
for prohibition. Such an action on
the part of any Republican, appears,
to my mind, to be the height of incon-
sistency. To begin with, the Republic
can party has not declared itself in
favor Of prohibition; it has simply de-
clared in favor of abiding BY and
properly administering all laws legally
enacted, which is the first duty of
every citizen of whatever party,
and any party which ranges
itself upon the opposite side
is dangerous enemy to good govern
ment. To openly defy and trample
upon and attempt to annul any part
Of the law and its constitution, if not
treason is too near it. The proper
and only legitimate remedy against
any obnoxious law is to have it re-
pealed. If the prohibitory amend
ment is repugnant to any citizen it is
his privilege to ask its repeal. If he is
. Republican he need not leave his
party to do this, as the Republican
party is Is willing to aid in the repeal
of unjust laws as any other party.
The way open now for those who
wish q repeal of the. prohibitory
amendment is to make united de-
mand 10 have it resubmitted to the
votes of the people. If this is done
the question will be speedily
settled by ballot. That the
question will eventually be re-
submitted is as certain as doom.
But when the vote will be had will de-
pend entirely on the course persued
by those desiring it. To fly from one
party to another. instead Of facilita-
ing the remedy, will only cause its
delay and add also to the present dis
agreeable strife. To procure resub-
mission will be not difficult task for
there is NO doubt that many firm pro-
hibitionists will favor it. l am one of
that class myself. l believe in prohi-
bition. Ivoted for it and will vote for
it again, and will use all fair means
to persuade these TO vote for it; but if
l find myself in manority ! will
cheerfully abide by it, aud this more
90 because, while believe prohibition
is..right, cannot be certain that it is SO.
II is simply my opinion and as the means
OF knowing things with certainty in
this life, are every limited, one mans
opinion is rs liable TO be correct as an
others. This is the principle upon
which our government is based. 1t
supposes that truth and justice are on
the side of the majority, therefore no
good citizen can, for n moment, insist
on the will and opinion Of minority
being set up as government for the
majority. In fact, such is not govern
ment at all; it is tyranny. In the pres
ent case, both sides are confident of
having majority. Now as there is no
easy means Of knowing which is cor
rect without taking vote, and as the
question is one of vital Importance,
the sooner the vote is taken the bet
| ter.
The present time is favorable for
such an action, the people being better
prepared TO vote upon the question
than when it was first submitted. At
the timc Of the first. vote thousands
were SO Indifferent as not TO vote at
all, while many more voted mechan-
icallv and many Others have since
changed their minds, some one way
and some another. AS there is little
doubt that most Of the citizens of the
sts,e have by this time reached settled
convictions upon this question one
way or the other, n vote taken now
would be genuine expression of the
win Of the people, and rs such, would
command the respect of all parties,
snd peace and quiet would again pre-
vail. q. X. AYREs.