The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1898-03-11
The 1eillorrat.
An Answer.
To THE EDITOR:

10 THE EDITOR.
Please allow me space in the columns
OF your paper to reply to a criticism Of
the Prohibition Party by the Linn Coun.
ty Republican OF this city. The Pro-
hi6ition party does not shun criticism
but invites investigation. It however
does not desire to be misrepresenked. 10
the tirss place the Republican criticises
the Prohibition party for not "keeping
IN the middle Of the road" and strictly
abiding by its time honored principles,
and then Immediately denounces them
because they did keep in the middle of
the road and refused to support the
plumed knight Mr.. Blaine when pitted
against Cleveland in 1884 which the
Republican says threw the great state
of New York for Democracy aud whis-
key.
1t is true that they did not support
Blaine in 1884 neither did they supper,
Cleveland. 1t may be true that the
state went for democracy and whiskey
but had it gone for Blaine it would
have gone for repubiicanism aud whis-
key and so far a. that question is con-
csrned the difference would have been
about the same a. between twsedIe dee
and tweedle dunn.
We often hear it asserted by these
Republican editors that the Republican
party is the only party that ever did
anything for temperance. The fact is
that neither of the cid political parties
"a such has ever done anything of any
consequence in favor of Temperance. 1t
is true that in some of the states epas-
modic efforts have been made by the
temperance elements in those organizs
tions which have forced the adoption oil
local temperance measures such as local
option and state prohibition, as in
Maine, Kansas, and one or two other
states, but the effects Of these efforts for
good Lave to large extent been multi.
piled by the acts of those very parties in
refusing to enforce the laws when enact
ed, and this refusal has been brought
about in obedience to the demands of
the liquor traffic in this couatry. Then
as matter of fact it is not true that the
republican party has been a greater
friend to temperance than the demo-
cratic party; the history of temperance
ieglsla tion in this country shows thai
the democratic party enacted prohib,
tory laws in eleven states, and repealed
the same in five, while the republican
party is credited with prohibitory en-
actmenss in ten states and repealed ten
leaving nothing to its credit; this doe
not include its treacherous action il
IoWain rendering nuegatory the prohibi'
tory law in that state by which is knows
as the "mulct law"
1t matters little however which of the
two deserve the more credit, as botb
have always bowed TO the behests of ths
liqpor traffic and betrayed the temper.
snce people in their own ranks, when
ever, by doing so, they could gain more
political power. A notable proof Of thi.
Is shown by the action Oh Mr.. Blaine
when Secretary of state under Harrison
s,nding out in 1889 from the Depart
ment Of state a circular entitled 'sMait
and Beer Circular" to the Consular
Officers of the United States, in Mexico,
Central and South America and the
West Indies, in which he said:
"Gentlemen: Some of the leadini
masters and brewers of the Unitet
States have requested the Department
to procure Information relative to tn
malt and beer trade in your RESPECTIVE,
districts.
Then follows an itsmizsd statemen
OF the particular points upon which the
desired information, and then be adds:
'The motive of this circular being th
enlargement OF American trade you vii
not confine yourselves to the aboy,
interogstories, which are to laEe degre
suggestive only, but will give as nue.
information as possible concerning ever
phase Of the malt and beer business, .
that the matters and brewers of th
United States may fully understand th
requirements necessary to suceessfu
trade In each district" This is the kin,
OF temperance nan whom the Repub
liean blames us for defeating in 1884 an,
over whose defeat the Goddess of Lib
erty bowed her beautiful head and wep
in silence" If the Goddess of Libert,
vept in silence over his defeat Wha
tears must have been shed by ambrinue
But the latter must have been some
what pacified by Mr.. BIaine,s circula
letter because in response to the sam,
the first answer of a Copsul-Geners
published informs ne that:
''lf the duties we're reduced one bal
we could easily send in q million dollar
worth of beer each year. Even as it is WI
are gaining steadily, although slowly,
and in doing 60 not only serve an
increasing demand from new d.eipies o
GAmbrinus but also displace a limited
amount of the abomInably cheap wines
Imported from Europe"
These are the acts Of The Republican
party through its accredited oficialp
They then blame us for defeating such
men by keeking in the "middle of the
road. 1--WE propose to vote our convictions
regardless of the question as to which
party is injured by it.
Albany March 7, 1898
7. P. HLcKLEMA
Chairman Linn county Prohibition
committee.