Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-11-20
READ CAREFULLY.
4 few thoughts on the question of prohibi-
ton,

ton.
There has been a large amount of
sentiment wasted upon the subject of
prohibition during the recent cam
paign. The republican party has re-
sorted to every conceivable device to
force this question upon the people as
the one only issue worthy of any con-
sideration. During the heated con-
troversies of the campaign, honest
republicans have been led to believe
that the prohibitory law was in dan
ger. They have been blinded by the
dust that has been thrown in their
eyes. The great questions for which
the people were contending have been
kept out of the range of their vision.
There are other facts also that the
campaign has brought to light. One
of these is that we unquestionably
have strong sentiment in Kansas in
favor of the resubmiSsion of the pro-
hibitOry amendment. 1t will be folly
for any party to either question or ig-
more this fact. 1t is beyond dispute.
1t becomes us, therefore, to meet this
question like men and not like dema-
gogues. 1t becomes us to examine the
causes that have added strength to
this sentiment, and not only that
but to intelligently and fairly and
logically discuss the merits and de-
merits of our prohibitory legislation.
1t seems that this could now be done
dispassionately. We propose to lead
In this discussion. In doing this we
shall start out with the broad and un-
questionable proposition that the peo-
pie have the right and the power to
change their legislation upon this or
any other question at will. This is a
fundamental principle of republican
government. 1t cannot be called in
question by any consistent American.
In our discussion. therefore, We shall
not further speak OF the right of the
people to make any change they may
deem expedient. The question hinges
solely upon the wisdom and the pro-
priety Of a change, and to this our dis
cussion will be directed. This discus
sion, in order to be entitled to respect,
must deal fairly with men and with
facts. The merits or demerits of a
question of public policy can never be
determined by any appeal to partisan
prejudice. 1t must be divested of its
partisan character at the outset and
treated solely as a matter of general and
vital interest. The attitude of very
many people toward the prOhibitory
legislation of Kansas to-day is largely
attributed to the fact that it has been
made a party question. The republi-
can party has championed the cause
of prohibition because of the powerful
sentiment of the people of Kansas in
favor of it, and not because the leaders
see the law enforced. 1t has been
made hobby upon which to ride into
power. The democratic party, of
course, must oppose the republican
| doctrin as a matter of habit, and in
order to conform to the traditional
policy of the party, which has been for
years opposition to what the opposing
party has favored regardless of the
question of right OF wrong.
We are not among those who hold
that all men who believe in and advo-
cate and vote for resubmission do SO
because they are in favor of an unre-
strained liquor traffic. 1t is the spirit
of unfairneSs and untruthfulness on
| the part of the republican press and
republican leaders in persistently in
sisting that this is the case that has
had more to do in preventing an hon.
est study of the principles involved in
our prOhibltory legislation than any
other cause. Take this liquestion for.
ever out of Kansas politics and treat
! it solely as an abstract question OF
public policy and the republican party
of this state is without single issue
| upon which it can go before the peo-
pie with any claim for support. 1t is
this fact which has caused the party
to cling to this issue, in season and out
of season, with such desperate tenacity.
The facts do not justify the republican
claim that the opponents of prohibition
seek an unrestrained liquor traffic
An honest discussion of the merits
of the question demands this concess.
ion at the outset. These men, outside
of the saloon men and those who are
resubmissionists for revenue or for the
qualification of depraved appetites
are honest men. They are good and
law abiding citizens. They are as
sincerely desirOuS of the welfare and
prosperity, and as proud of the gooc
name of our state, as any of the peo
pie of this commonwealth. We know
this to be true and we do not believe
the republican press to be honest wher
they call it in question. We have in
vestigated this subject somewhat
extensively for the purpose of arriv-
ing at true understanding of it. W.