The Cairo bulletin., 1909-02-21

should be sold, 1t recognized the right
heretofore enjoyed by other communi-
ties, and its position was fair, wise
and temperate.
ITO follow this declaration Is the
best solution of the question; to
abandon it is the worst.
J ITO force a prohibition law upon
these cities cannot be justified upon
any ground recognizable by justice or
morals. 1t will breed crime instead
CT preventing it. 1t will weaken the
faith OF the people In law and consti.
tuted authority instead off strength
ening it.
| 1T will impair the revenue OF the
State, which we can i'll afford to lose.
and increase taxation without cores
ponding benefits.
1T will torment discord
1T will substitute the counterfeit
| for the genuine and deteriorate the
standards Of truth md honor.
Since the day the principle OF self.
led our race has never been and never
Twill be, governed by law to which
they have not consented II is inner
ent In our traditions. in our blood and
institutions, and In any legislation
which runs counter to IL will prove
a curse and not blessing.
|
! The very discussion of the prohi.
bition question in our State has pro-
voked angry and passionate utter.
ance.
Men high in authority. whose of
| fee, II not their persons, should have
| been respected, have been calumn
lated and slandered, sometimes ignor
antly and often willfully.
I'VE have witnessed the distress
ing spectacle OF good women and lit
tie children arrayed in behalf of n
cause which they know nothing, no
matter how good their intentions may
| be
| We nave ottu WuUpt
calling we reverence and to whom the
people have the right to turn for
guidance and consolation in spiritual
matters, descend from their high es.
tates to make political platforms of
their pulpits and in the name OF tenn
perance utter Incorporate and in.
fiamniatory speech.
I'VE have had the new and strange
test applied to character by the self
| constituted righteous who would
pronounce 1t good or bad according
as its possessor was for or against
prohibition.
I'VE have seen men who have as.
sumed the outward semblance of pro-
hibition and who never practiced 1t.
side by side with some religionists
who wear the yestments of Christ.
but who have never known the spir-
itual in His teachings. who have new.
er applied to others the Golden Rule
and who are strangers to charity In
its highest and purest sense
Then too, on the other hand, We
have heard intolerant speech applied
to all ministers because few have
prostituted their sacred calling. rail.
ing at religion because some of its
professors are hypocrites. and claims
that all prohibitionists are fanatics
because some OF them are VIGOROUSLY
intolerant and Extensively ostenta.
! tious in their assertion of virtue.
IF all this has come from discus
sion of prohibition. what shall result
II 1t should become a law without the
consent of the people?
in view OF these conditions and
the far-reaching consequences of any
act you may pass, | again urge upon
your honorable bodies that you pro-
coed with deliberation and caution
and with due regard to the welfare of
the State.
Il have never faltered or wavereL
from the time | first came before the
people in my fixed belief that prohibit
ton was essentially wrong without
the consent of the people, and now
after a service of two years as gov.
ernor, with full opportunity to know
and to speak with Intelligence, | warn
you against the evils which will fol.
low the passage of a compulsory pro.
hibition bill.
An obnoxious, undesirable aud pu.
nitive law will bring forth an ugly
brood. and nothing good or true or
lasting can come OF IL.
MALCON r. PATTERSON.
Governor.
Jan. II. 1903"