Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-03-02
THE PROHIBITION ISSUE
 (By w. e. Davidson)

I commend Gov. Cleo. w. Donaghey
 for his recent publc statement in
 which he declares for statewide pro-
 hibition, and congratulate the state of Arkansas upon this new token of
 her pT2gress in the greatest forward movement of the south and of the na- tioh today-the prohibition movement.
 Whatever may have been the gover- nor's motives in this declaration for statewide prohibition, he has certain ly made wise move, a move in the right direction. It S a self-evident fact to every informed m,nd that there is no issue before the people toda> which mcre directly concerns their general welfare thaa the prohibition Issue. The uniGCrsal and ruineH. connection of the liquor traffic with the political, commercial, social, ani moral interests of the people has forced the prohibition issue. It has become living issue, deep-rooted and widespread, which has drawn the line and is forcing men in both public and private life to take a stand. Men can not remain neutral any logger on this Question. They may hesitate ti1 take sides, as much is involved in the de- cision; but it will be we'll for man when he does take sides to take the right side.
 Nothing is ever settled till it is set- tied right. And what is the right side of this issue? That prohfbitid1 is riglt, is as certain as that the liquor traffic i:, wrong. The one is the anti thes.s of the other. The liquor traffic produces drunkenness, idleness, pow erty, immortality, lawlessnesls, crime, insanity, murder, deatl. There is no dark deed it will t3ot commit no evil it WilT not .b-sad,. nd curse it will not bring Prohibition means opposition to the liquorttraffic. The man who s3ys he is in favor of local option, but CD posed to. Statewide prohibition, is say ing IT O more tnan what every bootleg ger, saloon keeper brewer, distiller, and whiskey politician is saying, No man is in, favor of socal option who wees, for license" turns down the .'hree-mile petition, sa-d stands in with the liquor traffic. Statewide prohibi- tion is the mere extenlsion of the doc- Urine of local option to make it apply to the state or nation as well as 10 the township and county, like all other laws or principles of essa1tial and universal good.
 Of course, those who are opposed to statewide prohibition (and among them an occasional conscientious man) will say: Look at Tennessee!' Ali right, let JUS take look. at Tennessee. The case of oftTennessee iaea malignant one, the patient is badly diseased in spots only. But Tennessee is talk ing the proper medicine; it is maAia s her awfufy sick just now, but -ne has the right remedy, and if she will per sist, in this treatment, if she will hold steadily what she has already gained, ill few months or years at least her ] system will be cleansed, her colmpleX4 4I ion clear up, and she will presslit one of the healthiest prohibition states ;n the Union. flaw cannot be enforced till it is enacted; Tennessee has the law, and the same public, sentiment by which she was able to secure the pas sage of this law, and by which she is able to maintain the law, will enable her. finally to. enforce it. I heard q Tennessean recently say he did not believe TeIIr esse would ever go back on her statewide prohibition law. Maine stubcrnly refused to yield up hers after an experience of more than half a century. Kansas, after an eX- perience 5f more than quarter of a century with statewide prohibition, is the nest prosperous stare in the Un- ion. North Carolina, Georgia, Missis- sippi and Oklahoma are rejoicing and under statewide p-oh.bi tion. The great state of Texas is grasping after statewide prohibition, and has it almost within her reach. And now .iaat the people u.4Arkansas have it within their power to express themselves on statewide measure, it IS my sincere opinic'7 that on Jan uary 1st,4 1913, my native state will line up with her sisters of the White l territory.
 Prohibition is gaining way,
 Prohibition has come tel stay,
 Prohibition shall win the day!
 Politician, what dost thou say?