The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-25

bouest advocates of the various
hills now pending. 1t is no COM
promise of principle for a prohibi-
ZIONIST or a dispensary advocate to
io:n hands in driving the stills and
saloons from the rural districts.
The suprcmest devotion to consci-
ence is seen in men who do not re-
fuse to go forward because they
may not reach the goal in one pro-
gressive step. Indications multi
ply to show that, while differing
upon the provisions of pending
bills, there will be substantial and
hearty agreement upon the essen
tia1 points of temperance 1egis1a-
ton which is demanded and needed
in North Carolina. With united
action and an aggressive fight, far
reaching temperance legislation
that will make for sobriety, for
good order, for education, for the
highest civilization can be secured
at the hands of the present Gem
eral Assembly. The advocates of
such legislation, or of any progress
sive legislation that shuts up a
still or saloon anywhere, need
not expect to win the battle except
by strenuous effort. They must
show that it is wise, that it is prac-
ticable, that it is desirable, and
that is demanded by the people of
the State. They are doing this and
will on next Wednesday and
Thursday demonstrate that they
are asking for nothing that ought
not to be Incorporated into law.
The lonly argument that some of
the attorneys of the distil1ers and
liquof dealers employ against the
propdsed legislation is to go among
the ntean bers and declare that if it
is enacted i'it will defeat the Demo-
cratic party" Such suggestions,
emanatiI.g from paid attorneys OF
the whiskey men, are entitled to
the same consideration as if made
by their clients-no more, no less.
When they accepted a fee to rep
resent the whiskey men, then and
there they became devoted to the
interests of their clients and pro-
fessiona1 duty forbids their judi
cial consideration of what will
help or hurt the Democratic party
with reference to temperance leg
islation. Amy of the proposed leg
islatiOn will hurt their clients. As
attorneys, devoted first of all to
their clients, it is easy for them to
persuade themselves that what will
hurt their clients will also in
jure the Democratic party. But
they see through the interested
spectacles OF the men who have en-
p1oyed them, and their Judgment
is, of course, though with some un-
consciously, biased. When they
took a fee to represent the whiskey
men they then and there abdicated
their right to counsel upon this
matter in the interest of the
Democratic party. They could
not calmly consider all the condi-
tions without being false to their
clients. We speak now of those at
torneys who disclose their attor-
neyship and openly and frankly
declare that they are retained by
saloon Dlen OF distiIlers. They are
within their rights as practicing
attorneys. We do not speak of
those men, accepting fees or re-
Enumeration from the whiskey men
and come to Raleigh to work up a
sentiment that the Legislature
will kill the Democratic party" If
1T takes an advanced step on tenn
perance legislation and pretend to
be acting only as disintcrested citi-
zens. They are outside the pale.
DSAAOSHaCAC party HI NOfIh
Carolina is not a prohibition ..arty.
1t IS not al anti-prohibition party.
1t Is made up of men who think
alike upon great governmental and
economic questions, and differ
widely upon such police questions
as regulating or prohibiting the
liquor traffic.
The Democratic party is the only
agency OF good government in
North Carolina. 1t is through this
great party-and only through it
that the people may look for real,
practical, sensible reform of any
kind. 1t must preserve itself as
the agency-the only agency-for
the white people OF North
Carolina wish to carry out for their
betterment. It's leaders will not
jeopardize its supremacy by any
rash OK i'll considered legislation,
however desirable, when the same
ends can be reached by wise re-