Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-05-18

this history OF the question Of prohibiting
the sale OF whisky by our laws to show
tast this has been the policy ct the Dem,
ccrat.c party in Texas for more thar
thirty years, Having acted and voted
with she party upon this question fol
more than quarter OF q century, nc
Democrat can snake his CORY locks ct me
and say that have deserted the fsith
and teachings Of Democracy upon this
question.
certainly regret the discussions and
angry controversy upon the question, se
the real difference OF opinion upon 1t ie
probably not as great as many imagine,
and have been taught to believe. Both
parties profess to believe that the whisky
traffic is sgreat evil. The Probibitionists
are in favor Of killing the traffic. The
sntis are in favor of making 1t pay 81.
00o annually. as ransom for its life, and
give $4,000 bond for its good behavior
during life, and they are also Ia favor OF
surrounding it with prohibitory laws thst
are distasteful to 1t by proht 1iting its
sale to the rising generation to the age
OF twenty-one, on the Sabbath dsy, on
election days, to habitusl drunk
srds, AID to persons to
whom the dealer is notified not to sell.
They also wish to surround it with sump-
tuary laws, which vex 1t, such IS tearing
away their screens, debating what kind
of pictures they may use, excluding all
games of chance, music and all other al
lurements. This is, in reality, sumptua-
~ legislation. Some wish to exclude
Guide treating, and one of the sblest ao-
Doc ~ hef ~ I1fr
cumstsnces require it, the awakened con-
science of this age will justify broader
remedies, ard the saloons themselves will
psss from existence as menace to pure
suffrage and social order"
The saloon man, after he has paid the
ransom for his life, and given bond and
security for good behavior during life,
who reads the law with it's penalties that
must control him, certainly has to draw
heavily upon his imagination to ind
where his personal liberty comes in, that
WAS SO eloquently pictured BY the sdvo-
Gates Of the traffic. So far as am indi-
vidually concerned, would prefer to see
an old-fashioned stillhouse upon every
branch In Texas than to see our glorious
state sell any privile ge for money! care
not how much-tbat che regarded as an
evil and curse to her people.
Strife, discomfort, regrets and threats
to re. each other out Of the party and
put up the fences, cannot relieve Us Of
the responsibilities Of the hour or secure
that harmony so much desired by all good
and true men Of every party at this criti
cal period 10 our political history. We
must deal with questions and problems Of
the hour according to the needs OF the
hour. When 1t becomes necessary to
grspple with great issues and
overthrow great wrongs, political
parties are necessary and
voter should be drawn together by har.
mony of opinion to act as unit for the
purposes for which they are organized.
Never having affiliated with any party but
lhe Democratic party no man can regret
more than do the want Of harmony Of
opinion upon all the great questions that
threaten the foundations upon which rest
our hopes of q republican form OF govern
ment, and II the only cohesive power that
holds the party together is the hope Of
benefit in the way of party spoils, the
sooner the party chain is broken the
better 1t will be for the people. As self
party, existing alone for
party purposes aud used as machine or
political exchange to sell the offices Of
our country for future delivery, would be
s curse to any country, ard one that the
people can only deliver themselves from
by the use of an intelligent,
patriotic and Independent ballot.
No tyranny Is SO great az
party tyranny, no lash more dreaded than
the party lash; but men, brave men, at
this hour should scorn the lash in the
hands Of party leaders, as they would
scorn The enemies of their household
g DIS. Party leaders can nolopger conceel
from the masses the bitter fruitslof ur jus
class legislation. Why the great unrest
OF the laboring classes7 Why all this
this banding together OF tbs
toiling masses OF this country Why
this solid srrsYing Of the working classes.
ss il In the presence of . common enemyf
These questions must De answered. |
The people must De educated as to their |
duties and responsibilities, that they may
be able to discharge them in that way |
that will protect their own rights and In |
terests, and not iniure the rights Of |
others. Infammstory appeals to the |
pre- JUDGES Of any class At this hour can
not accomplish the objects which all true |
patriots desire. For the purpose OF an
swering the questions correctly, and to
the extent of the evils COM
planned of by the laboring classes, 1t will
be necessary to refer to the evidence OF
hose whom the people have placed high |
IN authority for the purpose OF watching
over and protecting their interests snd'}
heir rights. Senator Colquitt, in the
Senate of the United States, on March
IL last, Gays:
The real difficulty lies in the fact that
ne represent . difused interest as against
)ne that Is concentrated-an unsrmad
md inorganic d mass of people IS against
! band Of armed and organized bTlgands.
Suffrage, which has been relied on as s
Of itself has not remedied the
'vil. Bribery, deceit, and the toad At
EYES ear have been persistently used to
and to accelerate existing evils
md bad tendencies. Is there no posi-
,ility of combination of virtue and pub
lie inters st as against vice and n.inter-
;st. People who will not take the trouble
md the risk involved In righting their
wrongs are unfit for freedom. When we
consider the varied difficulties and the
:oucer trated opposition to reform, the
direct force and bribery, the deception
md evssions getting possession OF the
Democratic ranks, the cstchwords, the
,ribes, the purchase OF the press, the
means and opportunities Of deception,
md the appeals to ignorance and preju-
lice, the wonder Is that reform should
,ver take place.