Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-09-01
KIDD AND GILLESPIE.
Large nnd Enthutinstic Crowd
Greets Them, and 10th Men
are Lusuiy Applnuded.

There were tvs meetings IN the
Fourth ward last night FOR the dis.
discussion Of the great question that
Is agltatlng the public mind Of Fort
Worth. The ward meeting ia the tent
adjourned early and majority of the
crowd marched over TO the city hail
10 listen TO the Joint debate particle
pated In by Captain j. a. KIDD, Of
Sprlngtown, and Rev. Mr.. Bong. of this
county. on the side OF prohibition. and
Hon, o, w. Gillespie, OF Fort worth,
against II There was a crowd or
some 500 people, a fourth Of whom
Were women and children. Mr.. AM
drew Jackson, leading prohibitions
list, presided, and first introduced Cap-
tain Kidd. 1t Is but truth 10 say that
the captains well-fed appearance
made good impression; and when he
frankly admitted that he owed his
good keep TO the BUSINESS men OF Fort
Worth, who had been his friends, and
whose help made II possible for him
TO meke money, he was cheered,. After
Introductory remarks he announced as
his first proposition, the undisputed
statement that the local option law Is
constitutional, lie introduced wit
ness to prove his next premise. That
was, that prohibition does prohibit.
He introduced ono witness on this
polnt-Captain KIDD himself As an
Incident II may be observed that no
also introduced evidence to prove that
this witness Is liable TO be ON tho other
side OF the question before next Tues
day. He read one OF his own letters
In which he declared that prohibition
Is n failure. And he said that he was
as honest when he wrote that os he was
last night. II IL possible, however that
his last testimony Will stand unlm-
peached by himself iii after the cleo
tlon. He admitted, too, incidentally,
that business had decreased In Brown
wood under prohibition. but accounted
for that by saying that continued
drouth In that country was the cause
Of that, forgetting 10 state that an
unusual year for good crops had pre-
vailed I'm Parker county, which possi-
bly, had as much 20 do with Weather.
ford's prosperity as had prohibition.
lie forgot to mention this. Mr., Giles
pie, who followed him, called his at
tentlon 20 II.
Then Hon. o. W. Gillespie was In
troduced. Cheer followed cheer. and
the handsome lawyer seemed almost
greeting. Mfr. Gillespie took UP tho
question seriously and called atten'
ton IN his well-known forceful manner
which was constantly cheered-to the
weak points In the captains alleged ar
Fuments, after which he made a tell
Ing appeal for truth and absolute
right I'VE who are church men" he
said, ARE denounced as wicked men,
and seriously told that we should get
out OF church for chanpioniDg the IL
quor Interests. We do not advocate
liquor selling, but We champion the
constitutional rights Of citizenship OF
the llquor seller There y Door
heather down town who bows down
and worships idols. He does this right
here In Texas ana In Fort Worth, l
VIII champion his cause II any nan
dare undertake 10 prevent him, BY
law. for worshiplng his god as he
chooses. Yet not one Of y6u would say
that I am an idoiator. The cases hre
the same. The constitution Of the
United states and Of Texas grants
certain rights 10 men one of which 10
to sell whisky, under fiNed rfstFie-
tons. ! win stand up and defend them
In those rights"
God himself did not pretend to for
bid the making OF Intoxicating liquors.
As matter Of fact the wine produce
Ing power Of Canaan was its chief at
traction 10 tho fhrifty people of God.
And they made vine and drank u, too,
ae Nr learn from Holy Writ"
THAT was sweet wine" cried some
10 the audience Then
how" quiaifiy asked the speaker, "did