The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-09-29
Judge Norment and the Prohibition
Folks


Folks.
Editor Paiatka News:
Your notice of Judge Norment's visit
to Palatka was an interesting and sug-
gestive statement. Those who reside
near Orlando were already aware that
this ill-judged movement embraced only
a handful of supporters, and that the
men who can speak of the advocates of
moral re orm by legitimate and rational
methods as SdlooHiStS, are imposed upon
by q strange delusion. At the time this
writer was laboring with all his might to
procure the enactment of Ordinance XIX
by the Constitutional Convention, Mr..
Richard j. Morgan dec lared in print that
the saloonists ought TO Join and present
me silver drinking goblet, An Or
lando prohibition man wrote the Sanford
Argus recently, TO say of me, among
other ugly things, that l had been a
chronic beggar for office, and that ac-
counted for my Democracy! And now,
my worthy friend, Judge Norment, &C
counts for my non-afiliation with his
little band by the supposition that L am
an aspirant for office, the proofs of
which he is seeking to establish.
All this would be ridiculous enough if
it were not sad. 1t is sad thing that
average men caCnot, or do not, under
stand that there may be, and there Is,
such a thing as a virtuous purpose, a
high aspiration, an unselfish hope of
doing good, of leaving the world some
what the better for our having lived in
it, acithOut being paid for 1t as IRE go
along, by office, or money, or position,
or brides of some kind! Such habit of
thought, such criterion of character,
indicates a low plane of morals,
Teach me to feel anothers woe,
To hide the fault L see;
That mercy TO others show
That mercy show to NE"
Now, if our ver-zealous and supe.-
heated Orlando reformers have not yet
sought the grace that " thinketh no evil
may be the above stanza from Pope's
Universal Prayer may be useful as a help.
If Mr.. Cleveland had authority to resign
the office of Chief Magistrate of the Re
public and to appoint his successor. and
should tender me the office, no conside-
ration on earth could induce me to &C
cept, or to take any other subordinate
position. Let our friends be treasured.
Allow me to remark that your closing
suggestion 1.-The Judges course is al
most sure to result in the defeat of the
nineteenth amendment" seemed to this
writer q most extraordinary declaration.
Is it, or is it not, a democratic principle
that the majority have a right, subject
to the laws, 10 determine all questions of
public policy? And that local self-gov-
eminent rests on the bed rock of repub-
lican liberty: Now, fair play, Mr.. Ed
itor. The Democratic party of this State
has yet i'll its own hands its own destiny.
1t can now redeem its thrice made
pledges for a new and liberal constitu-
ton or it can be false TO its oft-repeated
declarations. That party can give to
honest voters the right by law to deal
with their own safety and peace at their
own homes, by ordinance 10, or it can
slap in the face the men who have re-
aimed true to party affiliations ana jus
tify the reproach that it is the party of
whisky and debauch.
Fair play, Mr.. Editor. If the new
constitution and ordinance 10 perish by
Democratic votes that party is doomed,
and its candlestick will be remov ed out
Of its place, and another association of
earnest, honest men will demand the
STATE administration.
All we ask is justice and fair dealing
We mask no ill purpose. But questions
of public morality and individual con-
science are not to be trified with.
Respectfully,
j. WoFFoRD TUCKER.