The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1910-04-01
Who's Sincerep

/
and Office, says the American, and no
from sincere desire for Prohibition il
due the present factionalism in the
Democratic party in Tennessee. The
American figures that only ten per CEN
has sincere desire for Prohibition.
The American has evidently been
carrying on private census, either
that or it has a new apparatus for test
ing the public's sincerity. But some
how or other 1t forgets to take the bear.
ings OF the other political faction, to
measure its foibles and shortcomings.
The esteemed American delivers a
little adroit protocol accredititing the
rise of Prohibition in Tennessee to the
hatred of Patterson. Whatever the
American is, it is always splendid. In
this case it does political iuggle, and
the act is done with ease and flourish.
How about the vote on the amend
ment in 1887. The amendment was
defeated, Of course, but was the Demo-
cratic veto fayoring the amendment on
ly ten per cent Has Prohibition
grown any since that time. The Amer4
lean can hardly make such claim NJ
ter having reviewed the history Of the
movement in Tennessee. Had Prehi-
bition grown any when the Adams law
was first extended to towns OF 2, 900, and
then in 1903 to towns Of 5000. Was
it the result of faetionalism then. Had
Pattersonism been born. The Adams
law never was a local option measure.
But the American does not make the
distinction. 1t says simply Prohibition.
Prohibition continued to grow in 1907
when the territory to be covered was
enlarged, and again. in 1909 when the
issue covered the State. The Adams
law was simply extended to cover every
town and city in the State, and that
meant Statewide Prohibition.
Now, if the American will take lit
tie inventory OF its own sincerity why
not from its great high seat as lead
ing Democratic State paper advise the
OF good, strong, conserva-
i've Democrats for office, those upon
whom all factions can unite. Why not
suggest such a man for Governor, for
he Senate. II the American wants
oeace and harmony and Democracy
his is the sensible way to get IL. I'll
he American is sincere this is the only
way. But II the American is simply
ssuing message To the committee
pen the eve of its assembling, then
S purpose has been accomplished in
IS effect upon the action " the COM
littee, and any subsequent comment II
III not trouble the serenity Of the Ten II
essee journal. I
Fl appears that the American Is the :
organ, and il does not :
ish the eliminasion Of the extreme
sments Of factionaEsnf except that n
ri Of which is commit64d to Prohi-
ton. This trtie, the AmerStaB would
It conse4e 30 retire the PattersoR Isaa'
by any heeRss it could secure AZ
reement thae TIRE distasteful elements
the other side Sodfd be disposed Of
the same manneE That seems to be
what the Americsfi wants, though
great body of Tennes5se Democracy
'uld demand it.
Time was when the Afaeficsp was
ned by interests which serb more 1
cerned by the kind of legislation ~
Y could get to favor their business
n the principles which actuafad'theI
1t masses Of Democracy The hsatlL
ment has changed, and it remalfs1
e developed what will be the clgztS -
n OF Democracy the new reginAe -
espouse. IL bias not yet been fully Iil
I'LL