The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1910-05-04
MR.. BRYAN TELLS
OF HIS POSITION
OPPOSES LIQUOR TRAFFIC BUT is
NOT PLAYING POLITICS WITH
THE QUESTION.

ton on the liquor question, his atti-
tude having been the subject of wide
spread comment in the past few
months:
There is no excuse for the constant
attempt on the part of unfriendly
papers to misrepresent Mr.. Bryans
position on the liquor question. He
has been entirely frank in stating his
position and in giving the reasons
therefore. But as soon as he publish
ed in The Commoner a series of edi-
torials dealing with certain phases of
the liquor qestion the opposition, in
stead of attempting to combat the prs
position advanced by him, at once
sought to impugn his motives and to
accuse him of trying to make pro-
hibition a 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 en-
ormous resources and a multitude Of
dependents, not to speak of still
larger number of dupes, and they act
as a unit and are utterly INSCRIPTIONS
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 IL
quor question and do not act together
on any question.
In speaking out against the evils Of
! intemperance and in proposing re-
NEEDLES he not only mas nothing to
gain politically but he risks the aliena-
ton of valued friends who agree with
him on this. Nothing less imperative
than a sense of duty could lead him
to take position THAI may separate
him from men whose companionship
he has priced and whose support he
gratefully appreciates, but these issues
are here and the citizen must meet
them.
The liquor interests, recognizing the
force of the moral movement which
is everywhere at work for the uplift-
ing of society. is audaciously and in
solently endeavoring to coerce both
the democratic and the republican
parties into inaction; it's lobbyists in
fest 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 if he
kept silent in the presence of this
gigantic conspiracy against the home,
society and the state. Whether he is
able to accomplish much or little ne
will at least register his protest "a
gainst the saloon in politics as he has
registered his protest against the trust
in politics, and if it kills him politi-
cally," 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.
In insisting that the liquor inter-
ests should not be permitted to run
the government and write the laws
intended for the regulation of the
traffic, Mr.. bryan is not taking an
undemocratic position The demo-
cratic party contends that trust mag
mates should not make the laws deal
ing with trusts-why should the brew
ers and distillers write the liquor law?
Who can justify the action of the
liquor interests of Nebraska in pre-
venting the submission of the initia-
tive and referendum asst winter Self
! respect requires that the democratic
party shall rebuke those who brought
disgrace upon the democratic legisla-
ture by pledging every democratic
candidate for the legislature to sup
port a resolution submitting the initia-
tive and referendum.
While Mr.. Bryan is himself a tee
totaler and by precept and example
advises total abstinence, he has no
desire to force his personal views on
others or to prevent the use of liquor
under conditions which relieve its use
of the evils which attach to it at pre-
sent. He believes that the abuses
which attend the sale of liquor are
such as to justify the people in insist
ing upon the right to prescribe the
conditions upon which it can be trans
ported, sold and used. He further be-
Ilieves that those who desire to use
lliuuor in moderation and under rea-
sonable conditions ought to join with
the temperance forces and enact laws
which will discriminate between the
Legitimate and illegitimate use of IL