West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-10-10
Hendricks on Prohibition.
LIFE, LIBERTY. AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPr-
NESS THE LIGHT OF TO-DAY. OUR FAITH
AND HOPE IN THE POWER OF TRUTH

LIZ Il LiBERrf, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPI-
NESS THE LIGHT OF TO-DAY. OUR PATH
AND HOPE IN THE POWER or TRUTH.
Extract from a speech by Hon. Thos. A.
Hendricks, on Prohibition, delivered a,
Council Bulls, Iowa, Tuesday evening,
The platform also declares the Republican
party pledged in favor OF constitutional and
statutory prohibition Of the manufactures
and sale of intoxicating liquors. And the
Democratic platform declares opposition 10
the same, and in favor of a well regulated
license law. The Democratic position is not
IN favor OF intemperance. As the Governor
OF Indiana It became my duty To recommend
10 inc legislature a proper policy Tor that
State. l said. think experience iusti6es
the adoption of the license system. The
amount required for the license i'm each case
should be greater than heretofore liz should
be sufficient 10 make the party selling feel
that his interest is identified with that of
society in preserving order. This policy will
orlng a large revenue into the school fund
"A proposed Constitutional prohibi-
tion was much discussed in Indiana last
year. l endeavored to satisfy the people
mat 1t was sound morals as well as GOOD
policy TO allow each man TO decide for
himself whatever affected himself only. and
none others
In the dark ages of the worlds history
the Church and State usurped the right and
power TO regulate mems consciences, and to
coerce private judgment and opinion.
The world stood still. Ignorance and
superstition covered it in gloom and thick
darkness.
AT later period upon our own shores
bigotry and selhshness undertook vet
further 10 regulate and control individual
opinions and habits. speak of the days of
puritan rule in New England.
But at last the time came when
the individual rights of men were TO
be recognized and respected The
clouds OF ignorance and bigotry rolled back.
ward, and the light of intelligence and
liberty rested upon our land. In the estab-
llshment OF the great Republic and the sis.
terhood OF the States the people realized
the doctrine and asserted the purpose that
Government shall exist for man and bv his
authority, and net man for Government
Life, liberty and the pursuit Of happi-
supervision or control And for a hundred
years such freedom has been our boast
But now the cloud returns
DO you tell me that the use of certain
classes of food and drink is hurtful TO me
and shall my reply not be that must he the
judge of that
lnthese days when scepticism of religion
Is arrogant, and its champions are bold and
defiant, is the cause of christianity not In
greater peril than ever before &?
In but few years Of agitation infldelitv has
spread over the country. 1t has increased
whilst intemperance has decreased Ia
the poison of infidelity not more insidious
and hurtfUl TO the soul than intoxicants are
to the body How do you pro.
pose TO meet the influence that is underrnin-
ing the minds of the people ? Shall we
OF aul IN luWMw l.all
changed that we may put letters upon speech
and chains upon the press Shall we dis
pcrse the assemblies that listen TO the bril-
liant orators as unlawful You tell me
nay ; we will not go back to the practices of
the dark ages. Our faith and hope is i'm the
power of truth and in its influence upon the
human judgment. We will not enslave
man even that he shall admit and practice
truth. Each person for himself shall decide
what is true and expedient.
We cannot exclude all from n privilege or
right because it will be abused by some We
know that If the press be left free its powers
will be abused. Scurrility and libel will
reach and wound many character and
many home if speech be free, SANDER
will poison and kill the fairest fame and the
purest virtue and if all be allowed 10 use
ardent spirits some will become drunken.
In these and other cases the remedy of So
ciety is to punish the abuse to protect the
privilege from its abuse
Fora third of century under the constitu
ton and laws OF this State, il has been lawful
TO erect, maintain, and use structures and ma
chinery for the manufacture of spirituous
and malt liquors. and 20 cultivate VINEYARDS
for the production Of wines. RELYING upon
the constitution and laws for their protec-
ton and safety, many of the people have
invested their money in those classes OF
business.
Vineyards are property as your orchards
and growing crops are property The
brewery Is property, guarded by the same
laws that protect the bankers safe his
money and his house.
For more than twenty years the Govern
ment of the United States has declared the
product Of the still and of the brewery TO be
property; has taxed il as property; and with
the proceeds of such taxation has made war.
discharged debts and maintained public
credit. And do you now ask me to Join
you in applying the torch and reducing 10
ashes a vast property which bears the sane
ton of both the Governments that are over
US l will not go with you / will not
join In the destruction Of my nei0hbor's
property which he holds by the same sane
ton OF law which makes my title good
Do you tell me that it is required of con
science, and that you obey conscience
Conscience requires you aud me TO be hon
est, and to pay our neighbor before we con
fscate his property. am i'm favor Of indi-