The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1910-04-28
Mr.. Bryan,s Position

MIR. Bryan Position
There is no excuse for the constant
attempt on the part of unfriendly pap
ers to misrepresent Mr. Bryan posi-
tion on the liquor question He has
been entirely frank in stating his posi-
tion and in giving the reasons therefor.
But as soon as he published in the Com
moner a series of editorials dealing
with phases Of the liquor question the
opposition, instead of attempting to
combat the proposition advanced by
him, at once sought to impugn his mo-
tives and to accuse him. of trying to
make prohibition national issue.
Surely no intelligent person can be-
lieve that Mr.. Bryan is seeking politi-
cal advantage in opposing the demands
of the liquor interests. They have
enormous resources and a multitude Of
dependents, not to speak of a still
larger number of dupes, and they act
as a unit and are utterly unscrupulous
in the use which they make of their
resources, their dependents, and their
dupes, while the temperance people are
busy discussing other economic and
political questions besides the liquor
question and do not act together on
any question.
In speaking out against the evils of
intemperance and in proposing RENE
dies he not only has nothing to gain
politically but he risks the alienation
of valued friends who agree with him
on other questions but do not agree
with him on this. Nothing less i'm
perative than a sense Of duty could
lead him to take position that may
separate him from men whose COM
partnership he has priced and whose
support he gratefully appreciates, but
these issues are here and the citizen
must meet them. @1@
The liquor interests, recognizing the
force of the moral movement which is
everywhere at work for the uplifting
of society, is audaciously and insolent
ly endeavoring to coerce both the
Democratic and Republican parties in
to inaction; its lobbyists infest the
capital of the nation and the capitals
OF all the states. Mr.. Bryan would
not deserve the confidence which has
been reposed in him il he kept silent
in the presence of this gigantic con-
spiracy against the home, society, and
the state. Whether he is able to &C
complish much or little he will at least
register his protest against the saloon
in politics as he has registered his pro-
test against the trust in politics, and
if it "kills him politically" as, the
emissaries of the liquor traffic boast,
he will die honorably and his political
death may at least help to convince
thoughtful people of the magnitude of
the powers that are banded together
to do evil.
While Mr.. Bryan is himself a tee
totaler and by precept and example ad-
vises total abstinence, he has no de-
sire to force his personal views on
others or to prevent the use of liquor
under conditions which relieve it's use
of the evils which attach to it at pres
emit. He believes that the abuses
which attend the sale of liquor are such
as to justify the people in insisting up
on the right to prescribe the conditions
upon which it can be transported, sold
and used. He further believes that
those who desire to use liquor in mod
GRAFTON and under reasonable condi-
lions ought, to join with the temperance
forces and enact laws which will dis
criminate between the legitimate and
illegitimate use of liquor and reduce
the evils of intemperance to minimum.