The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-08-27
James E. Watson is Clear on Issue and There
Is No Mistazing His Attitude State Matters
ulcnCa draef for GvenoM aN mas to ne Part d
Points Out Prxntan tEvnnnso Democrats ISSUE Kes WnI

In his keynote speech delivered at
Fort Wayne, Mr.. Watson discussed ma
tional and state issues at considerable
length, and then took up the question
Of the Indiana temperance laws. On
this subject the speaker said:
In his speech at Lebanon on the 9Th
day of June, my honorable opponent
used this language: 81 want to allude
to the question which gentlemen upon
the other side, in my judgment, are
evading. refer to the liquor ques
tion." I want to examine this propo
sition in the light of past history for
the purpose OF determining whether or
not the Republican party is endeavor
ing to evade this issue, and as to
which party, IL any. is attempting to
escape responsibility at this time.
For more than half a century previ.
GUS to this year, the Democratic party
in practically all of its state platforms
declared against sumptuary legislation.
When they mentioned restrictions on
the liquor traffic, they mentioned such
restrictions only to oppose them. They
declared unequivocally against legis.
lation Of this character, and in no sin.
gle instance was this line OF conduct
altered or this theory of government
varied. ....---
Some Sample Declarations.
In 1854 they declared: Resolved,
That we regard all political organiza.
lions based upon the single idea of
temperance reform as dangerous to the
perpetuity Of our republican form Of
government" In 1866 they said ''That
all prohibitory liquor laws, all laws
affecting the private rights of citizens
to use their own time in innocent pur.
suits, or to force men to abstain by
law, under pains and penalties, are in.
furious to the cause of personal tenn.
perance and morality. and should be
discountenanced." In the same plat.
form they further declared, I'VE shall
oppose all radical temperance and
other schemes having for their object
the annoyance of any class of our PEG.
pie"
In their platform in 1868 they made
this declaration: THAT the ATTEMPT
to regulate the moral ideas and aspects
OF the people by legislation is unwise
and despotic. and we are opposed to
that class of legislation which seeks
to prohibit the people from the enjoy.
ment Of all proper appetites and
amusements." In 1870 they expressed
Il In this way: THAT any attempt to
regulate the moral ideas, appetites or
innocent amusements of the people by
legislation, is unwise and despotic."
UnvarIed Democratic Attitude.
In 1882 this language was employed
to express the UNMARRIED Democratic
attitude on this question: THE Dem.
ocratic party is now, as 1t always has
been, opposed to all sumptuary legis.
lation." In 1884 they declared them.
selves to be opposed to "Any legisla.
ton which unjustly interferes with
the personal liberty of the people as
to what they shall eat or drink, or as
to the kind of clothing they shall wear,
believing that the government should
be administered in that way best cal
culated to confer the greatest good on
the greatest number, without sacrific.
ing the rights Of the person or of prop.
erty, and leaving the innocent creeds,
habits, customs and business of the
people unfettered by sumptuary laws,
class legislation or extortionate mon.
opolies." In 1885 that party declared
THAT the Democratic party is now. as
1t always has been, opposed In princi.
pie to all sumptuary laws and prohibi-
tory legislation"
In 1894 they declared the attitude of
the Democratic party to be that "It
has ever been opposed to all sumptu.
airy laws as contrary to the principles
OF free government, and favor the larg-
est individual liberty of the citizen.
consonant with good government"
This platform was practically repeated
IN 1896. and in 1898 was emphasized
In the following language: I'VE ad-
here firmly to the teachings and prac-
tice of the Democratic party in favor
OF the largest measure of personal lib
erty consistent with public security
and social order. We are opposed to
all projects of legislative interference
with. or regulation of. matters which
lie within the domain of individual
Judgment and conscience" But shall
not quote further. Enough has been
given to show that the Democratic
party for more than half century In
Indiana has consistently and persist
emily opposed all restrictions on the
liquor traffic, and all legislation look
ing to the curtailment of the business.
Our Party's Historic Attitude.
On the other hand. the Republican
party early declared in favor of local
option, so that its platform this year
Is in perfect harmony with its previous
announcement of principles on this
question. In 1856 this plank was
adopted by the Republican state con-
vention: THE attempted domination
by the liquor league of political par
ties and legislation is menace to free