Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1895-05-28

From one part of the Declaration of
Principles ! have always dissented, and
those who have been with me, from
year to year, in the committee on Dec
laration know how earnestly and per-
sistently have sought to change the
tone and complexion of that document
as to
MORAL QUESTIONS IN POLITICS.
regard the idea that practical poll
itics must be divorced from moral is
sues, as the most damaging political
heresy of the age. 1t is embodied in
the current phrase, "the dirty pool of
politics" with which decent, moral men
are warned to have nothing to do.
Stripped of all disguise, this means
that the government must be left to
hoodlums and party tricksters. This
is too nearly the actual state of Amer
lean politics today. But who will say
that this is as it should be? Instead
of sapping politics of all morality the
overwhelming need of the times is
the thrustIng of a great moral question
into the arena of practical politics for
the moral upbuilding of the people;
for, however great any question may
become, the greatest thing in nation
must be it's noble, honest, moral man
hood. On sober, moral citizenship
the nation must depend for its safety.
The damage done to public morals
by yielding to the organized liquor
power and it's allies and accepting it's
mischievous doctrine that politics is
unfit for religious men is beyond cal
culation. Young men entering public
| life calculate that to be elected they
must make themselves solid with the
vicious element of society, for that ele-
ment carries elections. Thus are they
corrupted and lost to morality and
good order at the out-start. 1t has
been often and truly said that we can
not make men good, but all law goes
on the idea of making it to the inter
est of the people to do right, and
against their interest to do wrong. All
society should be formed on this prin-
ciple. Let every man in Mississippi
who knows the blighting effect of the
saloon on every interest of society re-
fuse from now on to support whisky
men for any public position and a
mighty revolution will be wrought in
a day. We would then get prohibitory
laws and get them executed, too.
Greatly as appreciate Prohibition,
| believe that the bringing of our peo-
pie up by discussions through the cru
cial test of principle on one side and
present interest on the other, will re-
suit in greater blessing. If man is
afflicted with ulcers, it is much to eau
terizo them and heal them over, but it
is far more to neutralize the poison in
his blood and enrich the life current,
for then you have a man not only we'll
of one disease, but practically proof
against all diseases. The moment the
issue is made with the consciences of
men, whether they will support for any
reason, great wrong in government,
the process of publication begins. The
issue may be made on Prohibition, but
when man is won to the right side of
that issue on principle, without com
promise, you have got man good for
all the purposes of citizenship.
This is an suspicious hour for the
South. We are favorably situated to
become the leading section in a great
reform. At least two-thirds of the
white people and large proportion of
the colored people are Prohibitionists
at heart. 1t rightly discounts us in
the eyes of the best people of the
north that we train not only With but
under the worst element of that sec
ton. Many say, "let us wait till sue
cess is assured" | cannot feel that
this is worthy of a great and puissent
people. 1t would make for honor and
the national good, if all the heroism
end devotion that characterized the
''boys in gray" were put afield again to
win bloodless victories for God, and
home, and native land. The South
has no interest in continuing the sec
tional struggle. Now in the Union and
of the Union, our honor and our in
terest urge us to contribute all we can
to the nations prosperity.
These are my views carefully thought
out, and conscienitously entertained.
| shall act in accordance with them,
and take my stand with those who are
organizing on principle to overthrow
the matchless evil. Great reforms go
only on principle. have no confidence
in mere trimming. II those who see
the way will walk in it the result will
be sure for the right. At any rate, for
one, and can only speak for but one,
/ can do nothing less than walk in the
light as it is given to me to see the
light.
With sincere esteem for yourself and
the other members of the Committee,
l am, Yours for the right,
j. B. GAMBRELL.