The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-08-13

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used with It's ordinary signifcation. and In.
terpret II In the light OF surrounding circum-
stances, that the position OF the republican
party II. that the law shall be enforced Ia all
localities where it 10 now ignored, that the
present custom OF practical license In these
localities shall be abandoned.
one that IL Of such immense importance that
no possible excuse can be offered for
the concealment OF the purposes OF
q political party that makes such
demand. How does the republican party
propose 70 Civ. It's demand practical effect Ia
localities where the law Is and always has
been ignored?
This question must be answered or reprbli-
can leaders must stand committed Of celib.
crate attempt TO deceive one class or another
OF those whose votes they seek. TO leave the
Law as II now is and demand It's enforcement
In such cities ~ Dubuque, Davenport, keo-
kuk, OttumHa, Council Bluffs and many
others IL IN idle demand as everyone knows
10 this oil the republican platform means?
Let the candidates of that party answer. Let
the press OF the game party tell US, for the
people of Iowa have right to know before
they are called upon to vote on . question
Of this magnitude.
do not hesitate to say that II the republi-
can party proposes no change In methods for
intcnde4 to deceive, and those who made II
for euch . purpose deserve the oensure OF
sincere men everywhere.
Nor do hesitate to soy that when that In.
etrument WAS framed tho men that put 1t to-
gether lacked the moral courage to put their
party on record before the people whose suf-
fragcs they seek on one OF the most i'm portant
questions involved In this campaign.
1t 10, however, . position that cannot be
maintained. The people OF Iowa must know
before November next what this demand
means. They already know that 1t means
one OF two things-either that the law shall
remain - IL is, dead letter in nearly half
the state. or that it shall Do enforced through
the aid OF what is equivalent to some form OF
. state conssa bu!xry to be maintained At pub
lie expense.
They know II It means the first its only eff
feet will be to mislead those who are honestly
in favor of tho enforcement OF the law.
Many believe II II mems the last. that II
accomplished. It will thrust knife into the
very vitals Of popular government IN our
state, and adopt in It's sIead the methods Of
the car OF Russia for the enforcement Of one
ct least of our criminal laws.
In the presence OF q question OF such mag
nitude as this no leaders OF y great party
have right TO be silent.
As the campaign progresses We shall learn
the position OF publican candidates and re-
publican leaders on this question or the
people of Iowa will reject them because OF
their want OF candor Ii for no other.
cannot leave this question without few
words which want to address to YOU as peo-
pie of Iowa instead OF members Of any politi-
cal party.
You have heard for years the claim that
the repu blican party Of this state enacted
our prohibitory law In obedience to the viii
OF her people EXPRESSED at what was termed .
non-partisan election.
You were told at first that this bound the
party to enact the law and give it fair trial
You were assured by those who advocated
the Law that II It failed 1t would be repealed
and some other practical mode OF controlling
the liquor trafdc would be adopted in its
stead.
You now know that In very many localities
this law has always been aud still is abso-
lutely ineficient as . means OF controlling
this traffic. And yet the very men who urged
you to support 1t because the will of a ma
torlty demandeiit 1t. are today working with
equal zeal to induce many OF you TO another
your convictions aud thereby de-
prive the state Of an honest express
sion OF opinion by its electors, alt aough
that opinion could now DO given In the
light Of many years OF experience under tho
law. Since the agitation In our state upon
this suojeet commenced, no less than saven-
teen members OF the union have passed judy
Ment by apopular vote thereon.
Of these, six have voted for and eleven
against prohi bition. The aggregate OF all
the majorities In favor Of such laws was in
round numbers one hundred and seventy
three thousand. The aggregate OF the m n
jorities against them was four hundred and
rka
joriiy in the seventeen states that have
voted on the question OF nearly three hundred
thOusand votes.
Ii the electors of Iowa were ever con-
fronted by an imperative duty they are In
that position at this time.
do not bel.ese Iovcr-estiuate the situa-
ton when l say that we are educating our
people 70 become . community OF law break
erg.
In . government by tho people, law must
always follow, 1t can never precede public
sentiment. 1t must do more than this; to be
successful. 1t must follow q substantially
united public sentiment.
No mere majority can properly rest it's
claim for the establishment Of govern
mental policy, that Is to be enforced through
the aid of criminal statutes, upon the naked
fact that more men are In favor OF 1t than are
opposed &c It,
1t Is dangerous responsibility the major.
itv assumes when 1t ignores thu honest con-
victions of = respectable minority and under
takes to publish rs criminals those who look
ing beyond the enactments OF men, are able
to trace. IS they believe. their right to do =
forbidden act to . source higher and better
than human power.
Ihave never doubted the good faith OF the
great mass Of the people OF lows who advo-
cate the continuance of our prohibitory
laws. do not come to them now
vrtt ~ hot
seems to me a serious mistake. ] only ask
that In the presence of sit lation which all
must deplore, q situation that reveals the
unmistaksble fact that the people OF our
state are nearly evenly divided not only as to
the policy but As to The Inherent right of this
that obedience which Ii essential to the MAIN
tenance OF good government and, as be-
lieye, to the perpetuity OF our In situations.
that all men will divest themselves of every
feeling OF prejudice, and meet this question
rs becomes loyal citizens of state in which
the political opinions OF every class are entit-
led to respectful consideration, and the card
inSl principle OF whose laws should be no re-
trenchment Of individual liberty that does
not invade some public or private right OF
another.
can see no excuse for that class of polit-
ical teachers who, conceding the error OF this
policy, arc still urging men, for partisan
reasons alone, to violate their own convic-
tions OF duty to the state and aid in perpet-
uating system OF Legislation that their own
Judgment condemns.
Tariff Reform.
Thorough % the discussion has already
teen the subject Of tariff reform is one aoou.
which too much canno. be said. Many peo-
pie have heretofore believed this subject
beyond their com APPREHENSION, and have will
ingly submitted to any policy tho leaders of
their parties have seen ht to adopt.
This has been all wrong. Upon no Ques-
tons that effect our material welfare Is 1t so
Important that we should be correctly In
formed as on those that touch our financial