The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-09-18
THE DEMOCRACY AND THE LlQ-
uOR QUESTION.

ptiou auu lcCa OptiOu, thS Ques-
ton Is not by any means settled. In
deed, the advocates Of this temperance
reform are smsrting under defeat, and
more determined than ever, and are
trossuring up wrath against day to
come for many Of our moro prominent
characters. While the Democracy
may not be In actual danger of dis
ruption or disaster, 1t must DO admit
ted that H.. is In sore distress. Fit
were fight, pure aad simple, between
Democracy and prohibition, the latter
would 10 down beyond tho hope OF
resurrection in Texas, but 1t is moth
ing of the sort. 1t IL the question of
the expediency Of the adoption OF q
moral reform, and tho Demoo-
racy is divided on tho quos-
ton. 1t is absurd to say
that q good Democrat can not be pro-
hibitionist,and vice versa, for tho facts
reiute the charge. Some of the bost
and lifo-long Democrats In this State
are openly opposed to such gentlemen
as MEssRs. COKE and MILLS on tho
question. Their Democracy Is Just as
well recognized, just of az long stand
ing, just as staunoh as that Of tho soma
tor and representative, and it IL ida
for these latter gentlemen to talk
about reading out Of the Democratic
party such men rs GENERAL LEWIS,
DIR. CARROLL, COLONEL SIMpKINs,
COLONEL FURMAN, Mr.. LANuAM, Mr..
FOSTER, JUDGE HARE, Mr.. BRIaGs
and a host of others, because they diff
for from them ON this subject OF tho
expediency of Stopping the salo OF
whisky in Texas.
The fact Is, it is o family quarrel,
where both sides, in tho heat of the
contest, are going to unwise extromos.
The followers of MEssRs. COKE, MILLS
and that wing Of Democracy cannot
say that local option Is not Demo-
cratic policy, for 1t Is part and parcel
ofthe organic law Of this Democratic
State and placed there by Democrats.
Nor is 1t just nor wise to attack the
clergy for their efforts on tho other
side. Tho clergy arc consistent In
thoir tight against whisky. II IN u
moral as well as political question,
and as intelligent moral teachers and
citizens they have right to be heard
on the question. Indeed, it would
create astonishment Ii they remained
indifferent and silent when 40 CHAR
and important moral issue is before
the people.
The opposition, on the other hand,
has urged the fact 40 strongly that
prohibition would follow, as a natural
consequence, upon local-option vic.o-
ries, that many locsl.opL.onists have
been driven to vote against them.
Tho locsl-optionists maintain the Dom
ocratic doctrine, that each township or
community or county has tho
right to attend TO and reg
ulate its own local and police
aileirs, and are willing to vote in such
local questions, while unwilling to
attempt to saddle prohibition upon
those communities of tho State which
do not want 1t. The prohibitionists
have, therefore, gone also to extremes
Now, these mon arc not going to rest
undor their deloat, nor tho victors DO
content to lot matters rest, unless
wise c0unsels prevail and u compro-
mise Ia reached. There is dsnger of
tho ono attempting to force prohibi.
ton plank into tho next State plat
form, whilo tho Others will desire
a declaration for the ropoal
of tho local-option law, II
this contest, therefore, in such
shape gots into our Democratic State
convention, 1t will indeed be "a perilous
position for the Democratic psrty of
the State. II Is doubtful, extremely
doubtful, If either prohibition could
carry or local option bo repealed, an
to insist upon eithor proposition 10 but
to sow discussions, and possibly dls.
rupt tho party.
1t is therefore of great moment tina.
n middle ground should bo reached,
that n compromise DO agreed upon
that will yield something to the adyc-
Gates of both sides Of tho house. We
know of no better way than to lot well
enough alono. Tho present local
option law Is part aud parcel OF Dem-
ocratic constitution, and 1t Is prohibl.
tory enough to protect any community
desiring to stop In It's midst the sale of
liquor. 1t is just enough, too, in tina,
no one county or number OF counties
can, under 1t, vote away the saloons
from those towns or con-
munities desiring them In their midst,
To continue to permit each distric. or
county, or, better still, each precinct,
to manage this question to suit itelf, is
good policy, and Democratic, and tho
prohlbitionists and the anti-prohibi.
tionists can do no better for either
themselves or tho Democratic party
than, by common consent, to let the
matter rest just where tho present law
places it.
And If the Democratic convention
noSt year is wlss and true 10 tho best
interests of tho party, II will not per-
NIT this liquor question to disturb its
deliberations for moment. IL will
nots riror tho question to b, raised. L.
will leave the matter whero II now Is,
aud each locality, AZ n matter of police
regulation, can se.tl0 local option for
Itself, and leave state prohibition 70
Impractical fanatics In Iowa, Maine
aud Kansas.
RAILWAYS AND STATE CONTROL
Too Atlanta Constitution, formerly
a warm advocate of a State railroad
4