The Detroit times., 1912-03-02
PRoHIBIT8HHIIsSf1 SEES
HELP FOR TEMPERANCE
IN ROOSEVELT SPEECH
ColonePs Principle of Human
Rights Being Supreme Over
Property Rights" Is Liked
AUTHOR is COMMENDED
VIM. A. Brubaker Tells Former
President He Has Opportunity
To Kill Liquor Traffic

WIN. "A. BruDakeT, Oh DetIoI'
chairman OF the Prohibition State
Central committee of Michigan, has
written the following personal letter
TO Theodore Roosevelt, commencing
him on his Columbus speech, when
Mr.. Brubaker regards as indicative
OF sympathy on the part OF the
speaker for the cause OF prohibition.
The letter is as follows:
Feb. %, 1912.
Hon. Theodore Roosevelt,
New York. .-
Dear Sir--I have just finished care
full perusal OF your columbus auuless
and j believe IL 20 be the clearest state
ment OF the great fundamental prlnel-
pies that should control In our govern
ment that has ever been utteredNpy any
man. This address places the AmerI-
can people under additional oohgatlohs
You strike the key note when you de-
clare that: Human rights are supreme
over all other rights. You proclaim
another great truth wnen You ss ma n
who holds a position OF leadership IN
thought and action to endeavor: non
estly and fearlessly, TO guide ms lei
low countrymen to r,gh1t s aee that
no man in America, since the DAYS OF
Lincoln, has held OF now holds posi-
ton OF leadership In thought ana &C
ton equal to the position you wr h stand 4. !.
ard, then. IL is pre-eminently your
duty to honestly and fearlessiy guide
your fellow countrymen In right deeis-
The principle OF human rights as SUI
perior TO property rights Is being
trampled under foot by no trade, tratnc
or other combination OF men as II Is
know, thousands upon thousands OF m
noccnt helpless women and cnliuren
are despoiled of every right tpey pos
sess BY this predatory trafno. the :
ntICr men say, In effecti LIS our right
10 manufacture and sell liquor TO who
ever will buy; no matter how many
wives arc robbed OF the support OF
their husbands: no matter how many
little children are robbed OF food, shel :
fer. clothing, aye, robbed OF that which
IL priceless parental love. parental car
and parental training: robbed or all
the privileges and opportunities that
every child under the Stars and stripes
tx 1ustly entitled TO. We have the right
to carry OH this business.
But you any. in effect: Hold on, Mr..
Liqnorman. human rights are supreme
Over all other rights. You shall NOT
.trample the sacred human rights OF
thousands upon thousands OF women
ana children under your teet. TOT IN"
bcnefit OF your property rlshts ny
are entitled TO life, liberty. and the pur--
SUIT or happineEs you shall not rob
them OF the human rights guarantee
90 them by this government. merely Tor
the sake OF enabling you To pie UP
your blood stained dollars Govern
nent. the constitution and the declara-
tioh OF independence shall not be mgie
cruel mockery TO them by YOU. HUI
mar rights first" Nooly spoken
Now, because OF your pre-eminent
position of leadership In thought ana
action, you are under solemn obilgd
tlon $50 declared by YOURSELF TO hon :
estIy and fearfessly guide your Fellow
90 a, ftU HRHfSinn Ihi -
great principle as applied 10 the mon
strous wrong that Is being hourly per-
petrnted by this bloodthirsty traihc
upon defenseless women and chtidren,
Your burning criticisms OF the
courts decisions I'm the cases OF ives,
OF New York. and Howard. of Tonnes
see, are fully justified By the tacts'
~ nBa fefTt+.e !.
10 your head and your heart, But. You
nnttst--know- Roosevelt. that where
there IL one such case OF loss ana SUI :
fering caused by railway aeeiuen -. i
wish / could make you visualize 10
yoLrself' the appalling weight OF hu-
man sorrow, the destruction OF human
rights, the loss and ruin TO the people
potential manhood, caused by liquor.
Surely your generous heart your kind I.
w sympathy for the oppressed ana
down-trodden, your supreme, sense do Oh
mand for the square deal 10 all
coupled with your fearless courage.
would impel you TO raise your voice
AGAINST this greatest OF all destroyers
OF human rights-the liquor traf1c
And you would be heard, as no other
man In America would.
One blast from your bugle, calling
the people TO rise and eNterminate this
arch destroyer OF human rights,--and a
mighty army OF the noblest men or this
nation would spring into being, ready
la follow your leadcrship.-You hold In
your hands the power to crush the IL
quor traffic at the next election and
thus set this nation free from great
er slavery than that which the immor-
tai Lincoln destroyed.
Will YOU not be true to your own
standards set forth In your address NJ
Columbus1 Will you not, with your
clear vision HtA-and-rlRhl-- grasp
this. the greatest opportunity TO bene-
liz the human race that has ever been
placed within the reach OF any man In
any age?
Proclaim. your determination that. in
the coming campaign, the dissolution
OF government partnership with the IL
ouor traffic shall be one OF the Issues
and you will electrify the nation. The
people are waiting for n ieadef-e on this
question. Take your rightful place NJ
the head OF the mighty movement That
this declaration Will call forth, and
name alongside. perhaps above, the
name OF Abraham Lincoln. This, Mr..
Roosevelt Is the call OF God TO you.
Arc you big enough to hear and obey?