The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1910-06-30

/ serves, INVADE LnG right or others &c
life and to the enjoyment of property
and are inhibited by divine law. But
to sell or drink liquor has never been
considered in itself a crime in any age
of the world, or in any land, unless
made so by statute; it does not proxi
mately involve the rights of others,
and it is not inhibited by divine law
These are distinctions which ought
| to satisfy every man who is open to
conviction and in full possession OF
his faculty to reason.
Will Never Submit.
This public sentiment of which !
speak is inherent in the English
| speaking race, and will develop all
over the world with the spread of civ
ilization and the growth of individual
liberty.
Never since our ancestors left the
forests of Germany to begin their con-
quering march over the earth have
they permitted any other race or any
part of their own to control their per-
sonal habits, and they never will.
Temperance is right for man to
observe, for by it he becomes happier,
stronger in himself and more useful
member Of society.
Prohibition is wrong, for it never
led to temperance, but invariably to
intemperance, not only in drink but
in speech and thought.
Temperance is not the creature of
law but the evidence of the moral
growth of man himself 1t comes from
the home, from education, reflection
and environment, or it does not come
at all.
An individual is like a plant. Feed
it with life-giving soil, nurture it
with air, the sunshine and the rain,
and it will reach it's fullest develop
ment. Starve it and it dies.
The tree that grows needs freedom
the freedom of the elements. Men
that grow, nations that rise to power,
must be left unconfined, surrounded
not by iron bars or laws that repress,
but to enjoy that magnificent freedom
and the great responsibilities which
attend-the natural heritage of every
man that is born-the true destiny of
every land beneath the sky.
The campaign of 1908 was precipi-
tated when l had served scarcely half
of my first term, and the issue of pro-
hibition was directly made. / stood
upon the declaration of the Demo
cratic platform and opposed it with
out the consent of the people, and my
opponent favored it as State policy
without reference to the wishes of the
localities affected
l was nominated, carrying the ma
jority of the counties, and the major
ity of the popular vote. By every rule
of fairness under which political
affairs are managed, was entitled to
a platform which embodied my own
views, the expressed will of the people
who had Endorsed them, and every
Democrat who was elected to the
Legislature on that platform should
have sustained it.
But the ordinary and well-establish-
ed rules of political conduct were all
set aside in the passions which had
been engendered by the agitation of
prohibition and the lamentable event
which shook the State to its very
center.
The Legislature met and the very
atmosphere was surcharged with ex-
citement.
Men who, under normal conditions,
would have been ashamed of bad faith,
were led, in an hour of evil, to ex-
tremes and scenes were enacted
which, under different circumstances,
would have consigned the actors to
merited oblivion.
The Democrats were in the majority
in both houses. The customary eau
Gus rule which had always obtained |
in making nominations for the Speak
ership of the House and Senate was
invoked by leaders of the prohibition |
forces among the Democrats, and
call was issued from their headquar
ters and circulated for signatures. 1t
was signed by both administration
and anti-adIministration members, but
when the appointed day and hour ar
rived to make nominations by the eau
Gus, and it was discovered that a ma
iority of Democrats would make selec-
lions favorable to my administration,
the opposition not only refused to
attend, but repudiated their own call,
abandoned the contest, formed Goa
ition with the Republican members
and elected from the floor Speakers
and intensely hostile to
both the Democratic platform and my
administration.
This was the beginning of political
,reachery and dishonor heretofore I'M
Known to high-minded and loyal Dem
ocrats. 1t was also day of sorrow
and shame for Tennessee.
The conspiracy once formed, its pur-
pose was carried into speedy execu-
ion. The Republicans were willing
'or party advantage to assist the mi
1ority of Democrats intent upon de-
;tructive and punitive legislation
aimed at all interests and persons
Who did not share their bigotry or
,onnive at their treachery.
Violation of Pledges.
A prohibition bill was soon passed,