The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-05-27
Mr.. Potter Takes Exceptions.

After waiting in vain to hear from
some other pen and now by your con-
sent |, with some reluctance, assume
to briefly reply to some things stated
in your editorial OF the 18th inst con-
corning the Woolley lecture and pro-
hibition behavior in the past. You
state that Mr., Woolley advised as a
remedy for the evil of the drink curse
the voting OF the prohihitory ticket
did not hear that advice but did hear
him say in the early part of his speech
that he never urged any one to vote the
proalbltory ticket and that he was
laboring as kind of missionary to the
churches to get them to clean up their
hands and door yards in this great
| fight against the evils of the drink
curse-and that he did not think they
could do it and vote with Larty that
was in league with the whiskey inter.
est. | have made this statement for the
benefit of those that were not there
\ but have read your article. AS to
those that were present | am perfectly
willing to leave the matter with them
they were just as able to hear for them
selves as you are, but everyone that
have spoken to on this matter under
stood as did and | thought that he
was so plain in all points that a child
need not be mistaken as to his state
ments.
Again you state that after the re-
publican party had complied with the
wishes OF the people and secured to
them their wishes in statutory pro-
hioitory enactment then the temper
ance people turned and smote the hand
that had complied with their wishes.
Well now let US look at that from a
little different stand point. The legis.
lature of the state OF Iowa did submit
to the people of Iowa at a special
election called for that purpose the
question of a prohibitory amendmen,
to the constitution of the state and
that election held so as not to be under
bipartisan rivalry. The people of Iowa
voted the amendment by about 10000
majority but by tecnicallity the
enemies to the cause defeated the
amendment then at the next session OF
| the nlegisiature there was such a
magnificent petition sent in from all
over the state asking the legislature
to give US by legislation what the
people were entitled to CONSTITUTIONAL
that the legislature gave us statutory
prohibition, then the fight began. Now
comes in partisan strife and my re-
marks under this head are not for parti.
san criticism but for the histori
facts. 1Now at the next state con-
vention OF the democratic party they
declared in open convention and put ii
on record that they would do every.
thing II their power to defeat proni-
billion. Well this fell like d thund,.-
bolt from clear sky l said is that
democracy, to defeat the exercised
will OF the people we'll the fight was o.:
the party in power was simply tied up
and they had to give the people their
asking Il do not say but they did it in
good faith) but they were simply tied
up. If they had not done what they
did they would have severed the party
and then they would have been an easy
prey to their antag onist. Now after
they had simply done what they were
compelled to 90 they then simply kept
mum anu far as my knowledge extends
they through the press as on the stump
dld they give cause of temperance and
prohibition any encouragement and tc
my personal knowledge did express
opinion to prohibition. In proof Of
this statement l might refer tc
numerous facts (but one only Mr.. A.
3. Cummins then republican left the
party once to democracy to fight pro,
hibition and after he had accom- plished
his purpose he come back and aske d
his old party to make him governor
10y >-Se SSSooSS viz pSOp1C ICdlly u6
sired it bat they were simply in the
Trap. And now in ali these years the
friends of prohibition have seen more
and more the necessity of cleaning uE
their back yard politically and really
felt proud to hear Mr.. Woolley voice 6
statement that | have made in defense
OF my present position politically he
| said in private conversation the even
ing of the lecture before we left Mr.
Laub's residence that he never ex
!, pected the present prohibitory part,
: would be able to elect a president bu
I he believed the temperance element
had it in their power to make some
body do itin the interest of prohibition
= Now about the conversation that Mr.
f Woolley had after the lecture will
$ reference to his three sons. your state
ment sums up like this if his bows wa
to take notion to driak he woult
. suffer them to go to perdition soone
than allow them TO drink in his house