Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-08-24

The continuous and unblushing false
hoods now being repeated by the Argus
and New Age in regard to Prohibition
would seem to indicate that their authors
think the public is deceived by them and
that they help their party just as much as
though they uttered truths. But they are
certainly mistaken. The fact that the
republicans of Maine for thirty years have
been the supporters of Prohibition is so
deeply imbedded in the political history
of this State. so generally recognized by
public opinion. that bold assertion to
the contrary deceives no one. The fact
that in all the like period of thirty years
the democratic party of the State has gen.
orally antagonized Prohibition, is equally
a matter of notorious historical record,
and equally well known by the people.
By the republicans Prohibition was en-
dorsed in their first State Convention.
when it nominated Arson P. Morrill, for
Governor, an earnest and incorporating
friend of Prohibition, as 1t was in
its last convention at Lewiston, when it
nominated Joseph R. Bodwell, whose
letter of acceptance SO fully and emphati.
calIy endorses Prohibition. By the repubi-
cans the various amendments to the prohib-
itory law were passed. and by them the
Constitutional amendment was submitted
to popular vote. and by the votes of the re-
publicans the amendment was mainly
adopted. while all these successive prohibi-
tory measures have been generally voted
against by democrats and denounced by
democratic orators and newspapers. These
facts are SO patent that the wanton deprav-
ity of asserting the contrary, is simply
amazing. as showing to what depths par
tizan mcndacity will descend. The NeW
York Star, the organ OF the national adj
is correct in asserting. as it
does in its recent issue, that the demo-
cratic party is hostile to Prohibition-to
all sumptuary laws. The Star editor has
before his eyes the national platform Of
his party. adopted by its national conven-
ton at Chicago in 1884. and scorns to
follow the Argus and the New Age in this
shameless lying. Here are the exact words
of the democratic national platform, which
the Democratic State Convention of Maine
has emphatically endorsed, and on which
every democratic candidate stands who is
now before the people Of this State for
their suffrages:
1--WE oppose snmPtuary laws which vex citizens
and interfere with individual liberty"
Language like this can have but one
meaning. The Argus does not repudiate
it. The New Age will not assert that the
New York Star does not correctly interpret
the democratic platform. Yet it is just
this party whose platform is so hostile to
Prohibition, which the third party men
are now engaged in supporting. And be-
carse the democratic leaders have entered
into shameless conspiracy with St. John,
John B. Finch & Co., and have drawn a
few sincere temperance people into their
snare, democratic editors and takers think
to continue successfully in deceiving the
people as to the real doctrines, record,
and objects of their party. Vain deluslon
Fortunately only very few of the friends
of Temperance are unreasoning fanatics.
Fortunately, only a tew supporters OF
Prohibition are more dangerous to its con-
tinued success than duoWed enemies. For
tunately, the majority OF the people of
Maine know but too we'll, that the leopard
Of democracy connot change has spots.