Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-06-14

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advice to Democrats to vote against the
prohibition amendment is not only
wrong, but gratuitous, since all intelli-
gent Democrats know howto vote on the
question quite as well as we do ; notwith-
standing which statement, we see that
J Mr.. Montgomery proceeds himself to ad-
wise Democrats how they should vote.
We assume, therefore, that his advice is
rendered to unintellgent Democrats, and
not 20 those who know how to vote--as
well as he does. We fear, however, that
we must include ourselves among those
whom our friend considers to Ike unin-
telligent Democrats, since his advice is
forcibly turned upon us.
But we assure Mr.. Montgomery that
we do not class him among unintelligent
Democrats, who are unable to recognize
the principles Of their party, but only Ms
one who has been So wont 10 indulge
in back-side-foremost view of the pro-
hibition question that he finds II some
what difficult 10 grasp the idea of IL in
it's proper posture. Mr.. Montgomery
thinks with Gladstone, whom he deems
the greatest authority on earth that
great woe has followed the Use of liquor
In the world and we are happy that
we can heartily agree with Montgomery
and Gladstone rs to this fact while re-
membering that its use was practiccd by
our Lord and Master Jesus Christ !;
which we say reverently.
So that our intelligent friend Mont
gnmery will understand that the evil
-, by the intemperate drinking of in
xicating liquor may not ofitselfbc sufli-
'ient to warrant government in pro-
hibiting its consumption and is not so
tcient. as we hold, under the Demo
dic theory of government. The abuse
Vod's gifts does not call upon govern
1nent to prohibit their use. To the gov
ernment is given only the privilege of
taking away from the citizen the liberty
that must necessarily I've surrendered by
him to secure society. And we under
stand that Democratic faith denies to
government the right to deny to the citi-
zen the right to eat, drink, clothe and
house himself as he plcases, so long a.
he does not interfere with the similar
right of his neighbor.
Our correspondent thinks we do not
speak accurately in saying that vote
against prohibition will he In harmcny
with the fundamental Democratic an
tipathy TO sumptuary laws, because such
laws regulate the expenses of citizens in
apparel, food, furniture aud the like.
But he neglects To note the scope of our
r statement. A vote against prohibition
go al atl l., ,,, Ia, 4.
the Democratic antipathy to laws regu-
iating the cost and character of the citi-
zen's food, drink and raimcnt And
we observe that Mr.. Montgomery Is not
able to deny, as no man of his informa-
tion can deny, that this ancient Demo
craric doctrine IL as we state II. In or.
der to avoid Its effect, IL is very interest
ing 1oteA.- aat Ai.-~ tHr-yJr1iIfy ~
compelled to denounce as "demagogic"
those old stale resolutions which Dem
ocrats used to illuminate i'm their conven-
tions years ago, and TO declare them to
be by no means the fundamental prin-
cipies OF the Democratic party, hut
merely claptrap used for the purpose
you are using them now"
Very well, Mr., Montgomery; that c, n
fession of your faith suffices us. We do
not pretend to be doing more to-day in
expounding ancient Democratic priu-
ciples that the Democratic party itself
ala years ago IN convention assembled
III they were WRONG and demagosic we
may he, since W. only follow them in
seeking to teach Democratic doctrine
to-day. We hold by the ancient pre-
cepts, and declare the ancient declara-
tons, planting ourselves upon their
authority; not seeking to evolve new
doctrine of our own, but content with
that which has been handed down
to us. Clothed with its authority
we have firmly declared the prohibition
of liquor to be undemocratc. Clothed
with no authority, unless Gladstone. Mr..
Montgomery says otherwise. What
Gladstone may know about the priuci-
pies OF the Democratic party of the
United states we do not know but we
are content TO stand with the Lord and
the Democratic party, in declaring that
man must be left free by the law To use
the Installations of fruit and grain. as
well as the fruit and grain undistiIled
being held responsible to the law and
the Lord for their proper and temperate
use.
Mr. Montgomery complains of the
license law, which has been passed to
protect society from intemperance i'm the
use of ardent drinks. Ii gives To "A
selected few the privilege of selling
liquor, for which they pay the fee and
they are held 10 answer for the proper
conduct Of the business, Thus the right
Of the citizen TO purchase Intoxicating
liquor is preserved, while its abus, for
purposes of intoxication is restra ned .
and to the general mind this license law
IL wise.
Mr.. Montgomery objects to it as un-
democratic, because it grants privilege
to few an argument which would do
away with all licenses, and leave every
/ one free to practice the arts of med
icine and law, the business of vending
and the offices Of government, without
asking leave or license of the state +;
utopian freedom which Mr. Mont
gomery only gets courage to propose, we
are fain TO believe, because he halls
! from the township of Eden. But
We observe that Mr.. Montpom-
cry himself knocks the legs from
under this position, which he so boldIy
takes, by maintaining that the liounr
traffic " has no status in Pennsylvauia
- business, only that given to il hy
the license laws" III the business j.
{ only sustained by the license laws those
3 rood citizens "a ho do moi mat li.,.