The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-06-03
LECALIzED EVILS--N0. 63.
(Written for the News-Democrat.)
BY JOHN DANNER.

BY JOHN DAN NNEHs
1t does appear strange that we should
endure the legalization OF tho liquor
traffic in, an intelligent Christian ma
ton like that of the United States. No
Mohammedan nation will do it, and
why should we? 1t is because We have
suffered two great political parties to
do this evil without reproof. Both the
Democratic and Republican parties are
the champions of legalizing this great
evil in our land and nation; both seek
the saloon vote and both have openly
declared that they are opposed to the
prohibition of said traffic.
Our United States supreme court is
higher and better authority than any
political party can be; in fact all vital
questions must be settled by the United
States supreme court when the Ques-
ton arises as to what is proper law
regarding the best interests OF the peo-
pie; and it has most effectually decided
this liquor business in favor OF the
people and against the liquor traffic
for beverage purposes. Without CHS
sentirg vote, they have said mo citi-
zent of any state, or no citizen of the
United States, has an inherent right
to sell intoxicating liquor at retail" !"
This at one sweep nullifies all tax and
license laws that seek to give the sa-
lions legal existence in any city or
community in the United States. Man.
ufacturers, farmers, merchants, bank
ers and all pursuits that tend to build
up and promote the best interests of
the people have an inherent right to
follow their various pursuits in any
place in the United States they can
find it profitable or desirable thus to
do; but not SO with the saloons or
liquor traffic.
Both the Democratic and Republican
parties have noble men in their ranks,
hut their leaders have made deal
with the Powers of darkness viz, the
saloons, TO give them a legal permit
to carry on their ruinous business II
they will pay the price of license or
Dow tax as it is in Ohio, and thus
have our homes and fireside destroyed.
1t Is quite common to hear preach
ers and church members speak of the
whisky Democratic party" while 1t
may be trle that both the Democratic
and Republican parties have sinned in
protecting the liquor traffic, it is quite
certain that in Ohio the Republican
party has beer the greatest transgres-
sor in this matter. In 1851 the Demo
cratic ticket in Maine enacted the first
state prohibitory law ever enacted in
the United States and this law has
been protection and blessing to the
state from that day to this; very soon
thereafter a Democratic constitutional
convention assembled in Ohio and
gave us the prohibitory clause in ouI
constitution. DR.. Hartman Stidger
and JOSEPH Hampson, both Democrats
from Canton, were members OF this
convention and worked and voted fol
the constitution. That clause has never
been repealed and after several abor-
tive efforts to repeal the prohibitory
clause. the Republican party in Ohio
and it only, listened to George B. Coz
! and other liquor interests of the state
to advocate tax laws whereby the sa'
Icons might have lawful existence in
Ohio.
The Pond, Scott and Dow tax laws
were all in direct violation of our state
constitution and the Republican party
championed all these unholy and un'
constitutional laws. II any politica
party In Chic is emitted to be called
Whisky party" 1t Is the Republican
In our state.
i For preachers and church members
to pose as examples of temperance ant
lprohibition and yet support a politica
party that made II possible to carry OF
the liquor business in Ohio, ~ one o.
the eSamples sef human weakness ant