Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-09-23
e@rtspanotaa.
some Pointers on the Resubmission
Movement.

n ent for resubmi. sion Is Intended by those
in charge OF it not as mere theoretical
experiment to find on how people feel on
the matter, tbs as definite step towsfu
the repesl Of the prohibitory clause in cur
stste constitution. Apart from this put-
pose, its promoters would not mase a
iee- minute speeoh, or spend tarthing to
fufther IL.
with possibly few exceptions, such as
the two or three clergymen enrolled with
them, they are not students of great
sucial problem, but drinkers for drinks
sake, liquor dealers for the pocket'stake,
a pol ticians for the sake OF Office. The
following poin eTs are intenaed to guide
those those votes viii determine the OUT
CO De of this movement to secure by their
vote what they really wait:
/. II you are a liquor dealer or man
with thirst, vote Eyes" On resubmis-
son, for resubmission Is the first and nee
essary step toward he repeal of the pro-
hibilo DRY law, without the repeal OF which
you will not be able to sell or to drink 80
much and so comfortably as you would
like. Your motive is straightforward, and
your line OF action is clear.
2. II you are polite an of the party
that now happens to be "out", and are
nothing but politician, you should talk
and vote Ia favor OF resubmission. The
party that is now 'in" has committed
itself in favor OF prohibition. SO in ordsr
20 have sn issue to stand on, you must
favor repeal, and the first step toward
repeal is resu ban ssion.
The temp france question is great moral
issue. An honest man, who truly desires
the welfare Of his country, takes his stand
first on the moral question, and chooses
his party accordingly. But a mere poll
tician chooses his party fret, and then his
attitude on the moral question is deter
mined according 10 its bearing on the sue
cess OF his party and his own prospects OF
getting into office.
3. II you would oppose a repeal of the
prOhibitory iaw, yet favor resubmission as
a matter OF fair play to the minority, ana
on the ground that 1t is we'll TO give the
people from time to time chance TO
express themselves anew as to temperance
policies, rememb Der that your attitude and
that of the people ON he ultimste question
of repeal can be expressed just as well by
their vote on the preliminary question of
resubmission.
Let all who oppose he prohibitory law
vote Eyes" on submission, and all who
favor the prohibitory law vote "no", and
we shall know by the vote on resubmission
how the pc ople would vote on repeal.
You may as well vor e your final conviction
in this first stage OF the campaign, and so
render the second stage OF tue movement
with all Its campaign expenses unneces-
sary.
4. IL you are trusting that by tempo
rary concession to the liquor interests in
voting for resubmission, followed by an
overwhelming popular vote against repeal.
the temperance party will find a stronger
basis of popular support on which TO
enforce the prohibitary law, you i'll do
well to reflect that such a concession will
be MADE the most of by the saloon party
as partial victory for their side, and
many weaS-xneed temperance people and
those now on the fence will accept that
Interpretation OF 1t, and go over into the
camp of the seemingly stronger party.
1t is dangerous msnpuvre In war to
withdraw In the face of he enemy, even
to effect a better alignment or secure
firmer base. For the movement is liable
to be mistaken by the rank and file for
retreat, and may thus demoraIize ones
own men and give courage to the enemy.
5. IL you are Influenced at all by the
liquor party's plea for personal liberty,
call to mind that it is the mark OF the
civilized man everywh here and In all times
that he is ready to surrender something OF
individual liberty for the practical benefits
that come from cooperation for the com
mon good. No one but a savage expects
or asks to exercise his Individual liberty
without any regard to the public welfare.
The liberty that the liquor men ask is the
liberty to I'LL their pockets as dealers aud
their stomachs as drinkers, while the pub
lie, that is, you and l, pay tire bills In IN
increased expense 70, courts, iails, aims
houses and insane ssylums. Pr onal
liberty hss its reasonable limitations 90
every civilized community.
6. You may be proposing to lie Eye"
on resubmission with the intention OF
voting MOI on the question of repeal fer
the fun of play ing with the saloon party,
and tn n surprising tbem vito final def-f /,
as the cat PLAYS aitn mouse, before put
ting it to desth. But rstns Der that the
mouse does sometimes get away, aud in
any case, such sport is unworthy OF a true
sportsman. Don't be pussy /. The
mouse may prove too sly for you, or msy
turn out to be big - hart rat, too big for
you to manage.
Z. The woman who encourages a man
in his counting while intending all oil ng
to refuse his offer OF marriage Is a dirt.
and from any high sttndpo''.t of honor, a
fiirt is cDntemptible character. He who
encourages the saloon party by voting for
resubmission while intending a | along O