Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-10-23
Under the Auspices Of the Good TempIars
The Lines Drawn.

The Temperance people were aston
ished last week at reading the announce
ment of the formation Of a whisky par
ty whose sole aim as declared is TO Sc
cure the election OF such representa-
tives as shall defeat the submission OF
the prohibition amendment in the next
legislature. Money was subscrib-
ed and is solicited by an agonizing APP
peal TO the saloon keepers and whole
sale dealers. The Presidents address is
weak attempt to prove the prohibit
ton idea unconstitutional and this in
the face OF the declared CONSTITUTIONAL
ty by all the supreme courts Of the sew
eral states in which the movement has
progressed, and by the Supreme Court
OF the United States. The sole reason
the party is organized, is that the liquor
dealers feel that il the question OF pro-
hibition is left TO the people, prohibition
will be an assured fact. Three-fourth
Of the state is now under prohibit
ton by the processes Of the
four mile law, and local option
The dealers feel that this great moral
reform now sweeping the country is
sure death to their business, and they
hope to have it postponed two years
longer by defeating its submission.
They shout in one breath Prohibition
does not prohibit and with the next
curse prohibitionists for running their
business. Leaving aside for moment
the question Of whether prohibition is
best for the State, let us look at the
attitude of these men who for the sake
OF few dollars debauch the young men
OF the country. The right torule is the
prerogatiye of the American people.
This is the government for the people,
by the people," When respectable
number of people request change in
the government it is either right to de-
mand an expression of the remaining
people on that question. Such re-
spectacle (both in quantity and quality
number have petitioned the legislature
for submission OF the prohibition
amendment. The majority Of one leg
islature has favored it. Both party
platforms have recognized the righteous
ness OF it. Yet here comes a pitiful
array of men who loves money more
than the lives and souls OF their fellow
men and boldly proclaim that they will
endeavor by every means in their
power to defeat the will of the people.
Persons against whom Gods "Woe'
is pronounced for putting temptation in
the way OF weak men, will have nc
scruples in using any and every means
to obtain their ends. If the next Leg.
islature refuses to submit the question
of prohibition, then must temperance
people begin, all over again, and petit
ton the Legislatureso Of $3.50 and 1890
for submission that, they will never
do. Heretofore the cry has been-"no
agitation" "no aggression, let every
thing take its course" Temperance
people will now have their eyes open;
they will begin to learn that this is no
amusement, no time for dallying. Do
yon mean what you say? Do you
mean temperance when you talk it ?
Then arise and act as true men and
noble women should act. II you dc
not mean it, if you only talk it because
it sounds pretty and moral to do so,
then step back. No victory was ever
won by such a weak hating band as
you are. A Gideon's band will accom-
plish everything. A mighty host o.
words and resolutions, no matter how
strong are but words. The time ha'
come for action. The Good Templarl
are united for Prohibition and death t.
the liquor traffic. So are the w. G
7. US. Who will come up to help il
this work against Saton and his follow
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