Evening journal., 1908-04-06
Editorial Opinion
License Dlsturbs Dem ocrats.

License Disturbs Dem ocrats.
Dover Delawarean.
We are advised that a very unfor-
tunate and reprehensible attempt is be.
Ing made TO force the liquor issue into
our local Democratic politics.
We are creditably Informed that q
politician friendly to liquor interests
has boasted Of what is to be done. Life
long Democrats are TO be prescribed,
II is said. for daring to act last year
In accordance with their convictions of
right and duty. Three men in par
ticular, we are told, are marked for
punishment, ana are 10 be CLEANED
out"
This liquor matter is to be injected,
II is said. in the first State Convention
and in the choice of delegates to the
National Convention. Not venturing
to make this the open and direct issue,
the boasted plan Of campaign is the
use Of the name Of a distinguished
gentleman-to whom. in expressive
language, Indifference has been de-
clared-for the purpose of securing
delegates.
We are told that the attempted pro-
scripion has gone even further, and
to the amazing extent Of a request to
a member Of a Democratic committee
70 resign-supposedly, solely on the
ground that he was against license.
AS a Democratic newspaper, we
speak out against a lire of action so
inimical to party interests. The cam
paign Of last year has been fought and
decided. We had our opinion on the
question at issue, and did not shirk in
the performance Of our duty as IL ap-
peared. We have been all the time
quite willing to admit. however, that
there were honest differences Of opin-
ion. Some who were on the side of
license doubtless believed that the hest
way to regulate a necessary evil. But
the matter was submitted to the peo-
pie, after a long campaign and elabor-
ate discussion they rendered their de-
cision by a large majority, and their
win Is the law.
That there should be III feeling and
strife among Democrats as the result
of the local option campaign is a mat
ter for regret Our wish and effort
have been not to fan the flames of
bitterness and dissension, and thus
foredoom the party to defeat. but to
endeavor to unite Democrats and TO
promote party success. We have not
sought, and do not now seek, to draw
any line between license and anti-ll-
cense Democrats. With the campaign
q last year over, and its issue settled,
we turned our attention to the future.
We have been freelv devoting our
space to matters OF interest to all
Democrats, and have been seeking to
promote enthusiasm and support for
Democratic principles and Democratic
candidates.
We deplore the present unfortunate
attempt on the part Of certain license
men 10 lSindle a flame which may be
so disastrous. If any considerable at
tempt is TO be made 10 prescribe men
who from honest conviction opposed
license, retaliation IS 10 be expected
as a matter of course. Those who
were In the majority surely should not
be asked to eliminate themselves en-
tirely from all voice in the party and
from party honors merely TO crafty
the spite or to advance the selfish in
terests of a few leaders and politicians
II may as we'll be understood at once
that II this issue is to be unwisely
forced, It win have to be met and set
tied Alright.