The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-08-31
NOT rolrrrCAL NoR RELIorous.

vocates of constitutional prohibition to make it party question are both un- wise and misleading. Already some of them are loudly proclaiming that if then let the party go to pieces" Sup pose some on the other side of this question should declare that if Democ- racy Is to be turned into a constitu- tioual amendment party 1t should be dissolved and go out of business. One proposition would be as fair and accu- rate as the other. and neither would be right.
 There should be no political parti- sanship In this campaign. It Is entire ly fair and accurate to say that any effort to put prohibition in the Consti- Urine. for it certainly is not. but 1t is not party question and should not be made one. If some of the advocates of the amendment were not blinded bv their zeal or prejudice. whichever it may be. they would know that the strongest and most loyal and consistent Democrats in the State are divided. Men who have always stood faithfully by the party. who have been prominent in its counsels and have ever been foremost in fighting its battles are now divided and are lined un on each side. and have not turned their backs on Democracy. We regret to see such men advocating what we consider a wrong and a weak cause. but they are doing it. and they are still good Dem- ocrats. On the other hand. in the ranks of those who are most earnest and zealous in their opposition to this unwise and dangerous innovation arc Democrats who are just as honest just l as sincere as any on the other side. | and among them are to be found some who have done most for the party and Its principles In the past. and who are just as ready as ever to fight for it when any party question or policy Is at issue.
 And SO it is that when Democrats all over the State are divided as we know them to be we protest against the effort to make 1t a party issue. We sincerely regret to see good Democrats advocating what we firmly believe to be an ili-advised and unwarrunted at tempt to wrench our State Constitu ton from its bearings. and to interpo- late into it features that were never intended to be contained In 1t, but we do not doubt or impugn the Democ- racy of those whom we believe to be honest and sincere in their course. They are mistaken. we insist. but are Democrats just the same. The Demo- cratic Party Is not "whiskey party nor is it a constitutional amendment party. The efforts of its enemies. either inside or outside It's ranks. to place the party in a false position on this question should be discouraged and frowned upon by good Democrats throughout the State. Party integrity should not be endangered because of question which should be kept en- tirely separated from all politics.
 But, if 1t Is wrong to, make this party question 1t Is a |. uch greater and more dangerous wrong to make of 1t a religious question. as is being done in some quarters. We had hoped that we were far removed from the time when efforts to unite Church and State would be persistently made. It would be equally just and right for a church in its organized capacity. to require all its members to vote a certain polit- ical ticket. It would be equally fair for a religious body to declare that it's members should vote for certain car- didate for office. We had hoped that religious intolerance would never again obtain a footing in the land. but we fear the hope was vain. for if church can force. or attempt to force its mem hers to vote for or against the pro- posed amendment 1t may do the same on any other question and freedom of conscience would be only a name
 The question of putting prohibition into the Constitution is strictly a ques- ton of policy. not of religious faith We believe 1t to be an unwise and dan gerous policy that is proposed but we utterly refuse to believe that any oues- ton of religion is embodied in 1t. We would not even think of trying to ex- cite religious faith or church loyalty just as much moral right to do so as the other side has to attempt to con- trol church peODle in support of their position.
 This constitutional amendment prop osition Is. and 1t should be considered solely a matter of policy. Democrats and Republicans and men of any other political faith should be free to discuss and vote on 1t just as their conscience and judgment dictate. Men of any religions faith or denomination should be as free to vote as they please on this question as are the men who do