The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-09-27
| MR.. PORTER EXPLAINS
| HIS REAL POSITION

Sunday, Sept. Is, 1907.
Editor Pensacola Journal:
In language void of offense, you vir-
tually exclaimed "vidi vici'' the "as-
tute 7nd able writer who proceeded TO
swallow bait, hook and all" After
conducting the process, of dessication
to the point of easy mastication for
the victor-with gentle touch and ten
der care you prepared a bouquet of
rare exotics and presented it TO the
vanquished as a token of considera-
ton in the hour of his defeat. This
| bouquet was received in the spirit in
| which it was so gracioUsly rendered,
and admired not alone for its intrinsic
beauty, but for the motive which
prompted the giver; and l supposed
the incident closed; but, in your issue
of today | note that that most excel
lent paper, the Mariana Times
Courier, joins issue with you and in
its loud me too" shouts the tidings
of my defeat with clamor, that over
shadows your chaste and modest
claim of victory. However, it emu
lates the example of its ally, by tenn
pering judgment with mercy, and
with pretty posies, pillows the council
Of defeat. 1t then proceeds-"we feel
like thanking Mr.. Porter on behalf of
the prohibition people of Pensacola
and Escambia county for his contribu-
TONS etc. In the language of the
street / reply don't mention it." A
hearty welcome" promptly cancels
any obligation, fancied or deal, that
is imposed upon the opposition by
my contribution. If | have inadver-
tently lent succor to the movement l
oppose, it affords me neither exulta-
ton nor regret. For the information
of any, if such there be, who may care
to understand my position in the
present agitation | here and, now state
candidly and without mental reserva-
ton, that l earnestly advocate the
open, restricted and regulated sale of
intoxicants in Pensacola only. as a
means to an end. l sincerely believe
that the liquor traffic under proper
limitations offers a shorter and more
direct route to temperance than does
prohibition. While | differ from the
opposition as TO methods, / am in full
accord with their motives. Temper
ance is the object of their efforts, SO
it is of mine. Temperance is the twin
sister of Godlincss and leads its vo-
tarieS TO abstinence, but prohibition,
which seeks to coerce-not to lead
can never accomplish either temper
ance or abstinence. The precepts of
the Christian religion are rich in ad-
vocacy of temperance but are as silent
on the virtues of prohibition as it is
on the virtues OF its twin sister inqui-
sition. If the present crusade against
the demon of drink was being con-
Quoted under the star spangled ban
ner of Temperance, instead of the
bEood-stained emblem of abolition,
crucifixion and .martyrdom known as
Prohibition instead of being in the
ranks of the opposition / would esteem
1t privilege to dedicate my puny pen
and stammering tongue to its hallowed
cause. Much as / abhor drunkenness
much as | deplore the conditions of
horror which gave existence to the
present agitation here-and much as
desire to see the city purged of the
bold audaeity and disgusting effrontry
that is constantly and defiantly flung
in the face of refined sensibilities ana
common deeency yet would refuse
to enlist, under the banner of prohi-
bition, in movement against these
insufferable conditions. There is a
trio Of tragedies. each of which TO me
is equally abhorrent-compos of
abolition. inquisition and prohibition.
In my next contribution" l will en-