The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1910-05-25
RBRYAN'S VIEWS
ON PROHIBITION
Relieves in the Exercise Of
Local Option.
SAYS UNITS SHOULD CONTROL
Strongly Opposed to Use of
Liquor, But Wants the
Laws 0beyed.

Chicago. May 2O.-As gcst of th'
Catholic Total Abstinence Union ~
Rmerica here, William Jennings Bry
IN in his first appearance on the lee
hire platform since his return from
South America, gave his lecture Oh
"a liquor question. Mr.. Bryan is on
Mn way to Edinburg. Scotland, u
intend an international meeting Of
Srmperance workers. Mr.. Bryan dis
erssed the liquor question from the
stan dpoint Of the individual and leg
Ezltion.
A,4 10 the individual, Mr.. Bryan said
HAae whenever opportunity offered, he
advised others to abstain from the
asS OF liquor in any form, holding
STAT it is not wise to drink even In
sNoderation. Giving his views on
.sHnptuary legislation and personal
,nberty, he said:
II would not favor legislation for
Kidding use of liquor at any time
o. under any circumstances. ! would
. sronsider this an unnecessary limita-
ton upon the liberty of the individ-
nal but am in favor of such restric-
tDn as may seem necessary for the
protection of society.
The right to drink may be abused
Aad it may lie forfeited. The Tight
10 drink is not more sacred than the
naathers right to a sober son, the
xtte's right to a sober husband and
xss child's right to a sober father.
THE first proposition which l
would lay down in the discussion OF
.Tsuor legislation is that the people
Alge a right TO fix the terms ana
ambitions upon which Intoxicating
1slors shall be scld and used. That
opposition is fu damental.
- hold that every unit ought to
lAvs authority to act on hits subject
except as it is restrained by = larger
uau. That is. that the block, the
ward. the city. he precinct, the
>a,S1uty the State and the nation should
hive the undisputed right to exclude
aAs sale of liquor as the people OF the
mil may deem necessary for their
graraetion and whlfare. ! believe al
-, that tie larger unit has a right
u control the smaller one on this rs
IA other subjects.
mo one. would be willing u stand
-Syonsor for the doctrine that a sa-
lsau ought to be forced into a town
against the wishes Ct the people Of
sie town.
. ~What want to emphasize is that
acre ought to be no objection TO-
M exercise of authority by any unit
Tas liauor dealer ought to be content
tn sell where his services are desired
md the manufacturer of liquor ought
an be content To dispose OF his pro-
sHlts among these who desire them
IL Is entirely outside Of his sphere
7sAsn hs attempts to free his bust
asss upon a community.
whether liquor should be sold or not
=. q community is a question which
me community can determine better
1haa outsiders and | have no dispo-
.slSoa to lay down rules upon this
susisct. content myself with rs-
zxdng uhe right of the community to
,r.ntrol and am willing that the COM
nrnity shall decide this question upon
IT'S cVn judgment.
90 the other hand, if the people Of
aay unit desire saloon, they ought
A. have it, provided that the people
~ the larger unit consent. 1t can
Si.be argued with justice that pcJ-
Bls Of any ward or town or country
shlu have the right TO open saloons
xKAOut consulting a larger unit, ne
,IAlse the saloon 1T lis best is men
.ASx and o demoraiizing influence