The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-03-02
RESUBMISSION.
of His Proposed Constitutional Amend
ment,

Speaking in advocacy of his proposed
constitutional amendment providing for
the resubmission of Prohibition to the
people, Representative Patten of Bath
said:
In supporting this motion l wish to
ask question in all good faith. Is pro-
hibibion divine or human? Is the sys-
tenn an inspiration from Heaven, or a
conception of the brain and work or
the hand of Man? If Yes, then indeed
is man sacIilegious who ventures criti-
cIsm. If No, man should be permitted
to discuss the law and Its workings with
out losing his standing in respectable So
clety. Even the Bible these DAYS is sub
Jected to the SO called higher criticism,
and comes out, or will come out from the
ordeal not weakened but strengthened.
Truth defies criticism. A Just cause
welcomes Investigation. Then why is it
that this one law, this one work of man
we must not Investigate, must not even
discuss, much less venture to try to i'm
H prove. One of the most potent causes of
weakness in the law is the atmosphere
of pious terrorism with which it is sur
rounded. A charmed circle is drawn
around it, and he who ventures within
TO study the real nature of the awful
creature does SO at the peril of his repu-
tatlon. This terrorism throws it's bane-
full influence in all political life in Maine,
Scarce politician dares say what he
really thinks. They will all say much
in private No word of criticism in pub
lie. l do not remem Der to have met a
single politician who has not admitted
in private that my position is right.
From.the highest down, they have patted
me on the back and said, "Your q devil
OF fellow. Patten, but it isn't polite. %
fho II
policy, and it is a curse TO the state.
Now, Sir, it has been attempted to make
partlzan question of this. It has been
said that [ am not a Republican because
venture to criticise this law. 1t does
not require a profound argument to
prove that prohi bition is not cardinal
Republican doctrine. My Republicanism
is of the kind that is not bounded by
State lines. | believe in the Republican
ism that is as good in Massachusetts, as
IN Maine; as good in New York as in
Iowa. Bnt this question is not parti-
san one. Until within few years the
parties have been equally hypocritical
with regard to it. Even now it is easier
for camel or rich man, or any of
those large bodies, to pass through need
les eye than for your veteran politician
to. face this question without looking
Forth with one eye, and south with the
other. Even my eloquent friend from
Van Buren, is too experienced to stand
up and vote as he talks. I have been
threatened with the ruin of my political
career if [ criticise the workings of this
law, or if, on the other hand / dvocate
its enforcement. don't know what bril-
liant ending that career would otherwise
have had. in the White House 1 suppose,
like that of every high school boy, but
In spite of these dire threats I have both
criticised the law, and advocated it's en-
forcement. political leader of much
power in my section said to me in almost
SO many words, DON'T call for the en-
forcement OF the law, or you will ALLEVIATE
the rum vote; don't criticise it or the
prohibitionists will kill you"
Mr.. Patten then took up the practical