Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-23
THE LockL.OpTloN LAW.
Shall i; lie Repealed "a Few words 10
Our Law.Makcr-. he
RICHMOND, VA. Januar,


RICHMOND, VA. January =. lsSi'
To the Editor OF the Dlspatch
IN the last political campaign n party,
composed Of Republicans. Populists' Ihifa
partyites. few true and honest Deilo11
Gratis. and disappointed aspirants' WIN
M defined political principles or aiiiia-
tons. sought political office under 'he
name Of 'PfohibltIonista.'
They dragged the cause Of Temperance
into the arena Of politics and made UT
fight upon that single Issue.
rhev charged that the Democratic party
was run and controlled by the hquor
interest. some or these speakers assetteu
that "the whole Democratic parry was VI
league with beor-wagons' Feu-hoaeu ""''-
key bummers. and he'll.
These. I am glad 10 say were mol NT-
qinians. but hirelings from another state.
These charges and tho appeals base''
upon them, would have drawn many 'efh'
rorsynce men. who were GOOD DEMOCRATS
from the Democratic party II the Demo
cratic party had not go placed itSeIt on
record as to enable its advocates 10 show
their falsity and absufdlty
How had the Democratic party dohe
this? '~' 'f ~''t
1852 passing the local-option law.
The temperance people said. pfhcticai!
we 40 not ASH the Legislature. which "af
overwhelmingly Democratic. 10 violate OF
sacrifice the time-honored devotion OF
Democracy 10 tho right Of seif-govern'
ment or home rule. We simply ask yot
TO give the people OF any and every com
munity the right 10 decide ;or themselves
whether or no intoxicating liquors shOult
be sold In their midst
The Democratic party Grue TO its princi
ples) enacted the law asked for. The hes
temperance men retoiced that this mora
question had been taken out OF politics
and relegated to the people.
Democrats could point with pride TO tn
fact that they had proved in mos
practical way that they believed In tn
right of self-governmert. and that the!
were friends OF temperance and goo'
, morals.
II local option had not stood as liyini
witness of the falsity Of the foul charges
made against the Democratic party. score
and hundreds of good men would nav
left it and Joined the ranks OF the Pro
hibtionists. But this law satisfied then
that the cause of temperance ana al
cher interests were safe in the hands
! Democrats.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?
Suppose this I,egislature-almost solidl
| Democratie-shoutd repeal or H. any wa,
weaken the force Of the local-option law
would not the Democratic party thfreb
destroy the noble record 1t made hy IL
massage? Would II not surrender the van
| tage ground 1t now occupies? Would /
not weaken the hands of It's defenders
and strengthen The hands Of Its assam
| ants?
You could scarcely do anything tina
would better please those who wish I
make temperance a political issue tina
to repeal the local-option law. 1t Is JUS
what they want you to do.
NV connection with The campaign o
1892 and that of 1898 impelled me to con
slider every phrase Of this subject, ana
both "A temperance man and a Democra
inplore you to let local-opton stan
lust as II Is In conclusion. j VIII say
O. legislators, spare that bill!
| Touch not a single line;
| II surely helped your seats to I'll;
Now bid 1t live and shine.
Respectfully. JOHN Il. MAssEf.