Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-05-12
college, every village, and every
ccmmunity," as q member Of thsr Sen


college, every village, and every
ae, I voted for every bill pre-
scented. Prohibiting the sale Of whisky
by special ac's Of the Legislature WAS the
established policy Of Texas up 20 the
constitutional convention Of 1875. The
Democratic members OF the convention,
realizing the time and expense OF so
much special legislation upon The ques-
ton, adopted what is now the local
had the jealous support of four
of the convention, and upon the
which 1t Is embraced, only one Demo-
this history OF the question of prohibiting
the sale Of whisky by our laws to show
that this has been the policy Of the DEM
ocrstic party in Texas for more than
thirty years. Having acted and voted
with the party upon this question for
more than q quarter of q century, no
Democrat can shake his CORY locks at me
and say that have deserted the fsith
and teachings of Democracy upon this
question.
Icertainly regret the discussions and
angry controversy upon the question, rs
the real difference OF opinion upon it is
probably not IS grest as many imagine,
and have been taught to believe. Both
parties profess to believe thst the whisky
traffic is agreat evil. The Prohibitionists
are IN favor Of killing the traffic. The
sntis are in favor of making it pay 81
GOO annually, as . ransom for rs lie, and
give 5000 bond for its good behavior
during life, and they are also in favor of
surrounding 1t with prohibitory laws that
are distasteful to 1t by prohi citing its
sale to the rising generation to the age
Of twenty-one, on the Sabbath day, on
election days, to habitusl drunk
ards, and to persons to
whom the dealer Is notified not to sell.
They also wish to surround it with sump-
tuary laws, which vex it, such SIS 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
lights after dark. Others wish to eX-
clude treating, and one Of the sblest 40
vocates Of the traffic, said; "Should cir
cumstances require 1t, the awakened con-
science of this age will justify broader
remedies, and the saloons themselves will
pass from existence as q 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 its penalties that
must control him, certainly hiss to draw
heavily upon his Imagination to fnd
where his personal liberty comes In, that
WAS SO eloquently pictured by the advo-
Gates OF the traffic. So far as am indi-
vidually concerned, would prefer to see
an old-fsshioned stlllhouse upon every
branch in Texas than to see our glorious
state sell any privilege for money! care
not how much-that she regarded as an
evil and curse to her people.
Strife, discomfort, regrets and threats
to re;d 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 in our political history. We
must deal with questions and problems CT
the hour according to the needs Of the
hour. When it becomes necessary to
grapple with great issues and
overthrow great wrongs, political
parties are necessary and
voter should be drawn together by har-
mony of opinion to act ss unit for the
purposes for which they are organized.
Never having affiliated with any party but
the 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 republican form Of govern
ment, and If 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 eelf-
perpetustlng party, existing alone for
party purposes aud used as q machine or
political exchange to sell the Offices Of
our country for future delivery, would be
. curse to any country, and one that the
people can only deliver themselves from
by the use of an intelligent,
patriotic and Independent ballot.
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 :he enemies of their household
&c DIS. Party leaders can no longer conceal
from the masses the bitter fruitslof NJ just
class legislation. Why the great unrest
OF the lsborlng classes? Why all this
organizing, this banding together of the
toiling masses OF this country Why
this solid srraying Of the working classes,
as If in the presence of 8 common enemy?
These questions must De answered.
The truth, the whole truth, must be told.
The people must be educated as to their
duties and responsibilities, that they msy
be able to discharge them In that way
that will protect their own rights and in
terests, and not injure the rights of
others. Infammstory appeals to the
preiudices Of any class st this hour can
not accomplish the objects which all true
patriots desire. For the purpose Of an
swering the questions correctly, and to
ascertain the extent of the evils COM
planned Of by the lsboripg classes, 1t will
be necessary to refer to the evidence of
those whom the people have placed high
in authority for the purpose Of watching
over and protecting their interests and