The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-10-08
Prohibition Department.
BY
J.B. JONES.
Speech of WIN. }. sykes at NIan-
chester, Tenn.

Inc subject upon which l VIII ad-
dress you tonight is the best means
Of advancing the temperance cause.
! mean by the temperance cause the
cause OF entire abstinence from the
use Of intoxicating liquors as a bever-
age. The moderate use Of whatever
is beneficial, and contributes to mans
enjoyment, is temperance; but any
use Of that which is not beneficial,
but injurious, Is temperance.
For instance, any use Of opium, ar
senic, or any other poison, as daily
food or drink, is injurious and is in
temperate. These unnatural slim
ulants have a tendency to increase,
and consequently any use of them is
perilous in the extreme. In toxicat-
ing liquor is one of these dangerous
articles.
SUBMISSION THE QUESTION.
You ask me, What do temperance
mean desire in the way Of legislation?
They only ask that the question of
prohibiting the manufacture and sale
of intoxicating liquors as a beverage
be submitted to the people as con-
stitutional amendment. They do not
ask men to advocate prohibition, but
they ask that the people be allowed to
vote on this question free from all par
ty bias. This is in accordance with
our State constitution, for the first
section Of the Declaration of Rights
says that "all power is inherent in the
people, and all free governments are
founded on their authority and insti
tuted for their peace, safety, and hap
piness for the advancement Of these
ends they have at all times an unde
niable and indefeasible right to alter
reform, or abolish the Government in
such manner as they may think prop
err" etc.
The man who refuses to allow the
people this right, secured by the con
stitution, denies the doctrine of pop
ular sovereignty, and says in effec
that the liqnor-men and the liquor in
terests shall govern the country.
POWER OF THE L1QUoR-DEALERs
This liquor interest is powerful
interest. There are over 1000 liquor
dealers in the State, and there ar
100000 invested in the liquor
traffic. 1t is natural that they shout,
spend money, and that freely, to up
hold what they believe to be thei
pecuniary interests. They viii max
desperate struggle to perpetuate
traffic which we believe is destroying
the country.
The liquor-dealers are thorough,
organized. They have liquor
dealers association with initiation
fees, dues, and assessments. HOY
much money they raise by t1es
agencies have no means of KNOWN
but suppose it is ample for all thef
purposes.
To counteract these efforts the tenn
perance men must work they mus
inform the public mind as to the ex
tent of the evils of intemperance ant
Of the dangers Of the liquor-traffic
To do this will require small sums O
money, not exceeding five or ten cent
per month from each one. How in
significant sum for such great pur
posel Who will refuse to give it?
WHAT is THE TEMPERANCE ALLIANCE
We must have organization and &C
tive effort. The Temperance Allianc,
is intended to embrace all who are il
favor OF doing away with drunkenness
and suppressing the liquor-traffic
whether they be total abstainers, tenn
perate drinkers, drunkards, or liquor
sellers. 1t draws the line between tn,
supporters and opponents of the liz
uor-traffic.
The constitution of this Alliance
says: 1--WE, the undersigned, being il
favor OF the suppression of the man
ufacture, sale, and use OF spirituous
vinous, and other alcoholic liquors az
beverage, hereby become members
OF the -- County Temperance
Alliance" All friends of the temper
ance cause may unite in this ALI
ance.
The Good Templars are doing no
bic work their specific object is to re.
form the inebriate, to sustain the re
formed, and to prevent the formation
of bad habits among the young The
Woman's Christian Temperance Un
ion is an association OF noble women
banded together to save their hus
bands, fathers, sons, and brothers
from the errors Of intemperance. The
Order OF the Golden Cross is an insur
ance company based upon temper
ance principles, and intended to give
temperance men the benefit of theii
temperance habits in the way Of life
insurance.
The Temneranca Alliance Is intend.