Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1912-10-10
"A Moral or a
Political Question
By sILENA N. HOLMAN

One question that has been tossed to
and fro during the past year or so, and
perhaps much longer, Is as to whether
or not the temperance and prohibition
question ia a political or moral ques-
tion. Many politicians and good men.
knowing that it is disturbing ques-
zion in the politics of the state and
nation, whenever or wherever it comes
up for consideration, insist that 1t is
a moral question and should be settled
outside of politics. Others insist that
It is political question and wonder
why women, who are not usually in
terested in. politics, should 'sully
their garments by taking an interest
In this political question.
The truth is, that it is both poll
tical and moral question. And peo-
pie who insist that it is moral but
not political question, or political
but not a moral question, have not
taken proper view of the question as
a whole. One must see question
from all sides. and see it from every
viewpoint to be able to pronounce cor
rectly upon it.
The liquor traffic is demoralizing to
those engaged in it. 1t is ruinous
mentally, morally, physically, and fin
ancially to those who drink, uniting
them for this world, or the world to
come. In this sense, it is certainly
moral question and must be dealt with
as such. But it is also a political
4 question.
The Standard Dictionary thus de-
fines the word political" Pertain
ing to public policy; concerned in the
administration of government; belong
ing to the enactment, and administra-
tion of law" If this is correct defiu-
ition of the word, tnen the liquor
question became a political question
when the government licensed, and at
tempted to regulate the business, If
never before. For then it certainly
belonged to "the enactment and ad-
ministration of law"
But it could be political question,
without entering the realm of partisan
politics, if they would let the ques-
tion be settled on its merits. But they
will not. Great business interests with
millions invested are back of it. And
at the first intimation that the legisla-
ure proposes to pass law restricting
the sale anyway, they are in arms, and
resisting it with all their might.
Thus, in spite of pronunciamentoes of
men who would like to consider it a
urely moral question, there are two
parties in the case, one wanting to re-
strain the business in some way, and
the other wanting no restrictions
about the business. And SO at once it
enters the realm of partisan politics,
where it will remain until the ques
tion is finally settled to the satisfac
tion of majority of the people.
Theft is a moral question. The Dec
alogue thunders against it. But should
those in power in our government con-
clude that it is utterly impossible to
stop all thieving, by passing laws
against it, as it is, and should decide
to license thieving under strictest reg
ulations, mot to steal after sundown,
or from minors, or when owners back
was turned, naturally class of peo-
pie would object to such procedure,
and would oppose the passage of such
a law. This would become a disturb !
ing issue in the partisan politics of the
state, and political question i'll the
sense that the prohibition question is +
a political question. And all the de- /
clarations that it was moral ques
ton, and should be kept out of poll
tics, would not prevent its being a
political as we'll as a moral question,
as long as some people were wanting /
to license and regulate the business of
thieving.
In this sense is the liquor question a
political question. 1t was made
noljtical question when the govern
inent decided to license and regulate
the business, and has been ever since.
II will be political question and in
the partisan politics OF the state and
nation as long as there is class of
men who want to license and protect
tbe bad business by law. When it be-
comes the accepted creed of humanity
that il is wrong to make or buy or sell
or drink intoxicating liquors, as, please
God. it will some day just as it is the
accented creed of humanity that it is
wrong to lie and steal, then will the
1innor question be no more question
of partisan politics, than is now the
ouestion of theft and murder. But all
;es would alike stand for it's de-
struction, and most stringent laws
against It, as they now stand for such
laws against these other crimes.
The question has been settled in
by the passage of law pro-
hibiting the manufacture and sale OF
I;nuor in this state. 1t would no long
er he in the partisan politics of the !
tate if the liquor men would let it
alone. But they are continuously de-
handing the repeal of the laws against
he business, thus keeping the question {
n the partisan politics of the state.
so il is the liquor men who are to
Blame that this question is kept dis
turbing one in Tennessee politics.
10 Won think for a moment that con-
,;tions in Nashville, under the pres
inf administration, would be parti-
lie better in any possible way. were !,
he saloons licensed The question an I
Iwers itself.
Here is woman who speaks from |
ii Lnnml ladoa and long eXperl- q