Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1894-12-18

shadowing importance has thus been
betrayed in the house of its friends.
Instead of being stripped bare of eve
rything that could hinder or cucumber
it, and presented to the people on its
own naked merits, it has been associa-
ted with other matters of minor signifi-
canoe, and degraded to the poor posi-
ton of being only one among the many
planks of a political platform. Very
often, too, the men who have gone be-
fore the public as the champions of
the holy cause, have spent the most of
their time in talking about something
else. A venerable and godly minister,
telling us of the speech made by Pro.
hibition candidate for Congress in his
community, said: "He did not have
much to say about Prohibition, but he
went deep and strong into the subject
of currency"
There must be return to first prin-
ciples. Six years ago 1900 Tennes-
scans went to the polls and cast their
ballots in favor of constitutional
amendment forbidding the manufac-
ture and sale of liquors in this State.
These voters belonged to all the par
ties. Nobody knew or cared for their
political affiliations. They simply
came together, and occupied common
ground in regard to one of the worst
foes of good government and social or
der. If the fight had been continued
along that line we do not doubt that
great progress would have been made.
AS it is We have not since gone forward
a single step. Our forces in the mean
time have become badly scattered. We
are in by no means as good position
as we we're during that historic can
vass. Shooting arrows at the moon
may be fine sport, but it brings down
no game. The demonstration is COM
plete. Partisan methods of assailing
theevil in question cannot succeed.
Every consideration of sound sense
demands that they be set aside. We
say all this in the spirit of perfect char
ity. and without the slightest inclina-
ton to blame or censure' anybody for
that has occurred.
The moral elements of Tennessee,
reference to their economical,
political, or religious views, need to
unite and give expression to their fix
ed convictions regarding the matter
under consideration. No small coterie
of self-appointed men can make pro-
gramme, and impose it on great and
commonwealth. The peo-
pie must speak. A State Convention,
large, harmonious and enthusiastic,
would be able to make itself felt in the
most effective way. Is it not time that
such convention should be called ?
Where are the conservative leaders
that they do not speak out =? Longer
silence is criminal. The hour for &C
ton Is here.
1t is likely that the whisky interests
will have their usual lobby before the
next session of the General Assembly.
If possible they will secure the pas
sage of reactionary legislation. A keen
eye must be kept upon all their move
mcnts. The Temperance folks through
out the State should say to the Gener-
al Assembly: Gentlemen, we do not,
as temperance folks, wish to dictate or
suggest what your action should be on
other subjects; but we do desire to in
sist that you adopt such measures as
will more and more stay the ravages of
intemperance. We beg you, in partic-
ular, not to touch our Four-mile Law
in any such way as will rob it OF its
present effectiveness; and we further
pray that, in the name of good morals,
you extend it's operations to all the
smaller incorporated towns" Such
statement from such source would
have a most salutary influence.
In conclusion, we take occasion to
add that the people of Tennessee will
not tolerate even the slightest further
concession to the distillers, wholesale
dealers, and "doggery" keepers. Let
no one mistake the general quietness
on the subject for Indifference or I'M
concern. There is in the public mind
a deep, intelligent, and abiding convic-
ton that whisky must go. All those
who set themselves, directly OF indi-
rectly, to oppose this conviction, are
sure to pay the penalty of their folly.
"Down with the rum shops"-'close
the saloons" These are the battle
cries of the future.
A Call to Battle-Ringing Bugle Blasts.
1t seems to me that it is about time
for the 100000 professors of religion