The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1912-10-11
A PUBLIC NOTICE
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ALI
ANCE OF GERMAN SOCIETIES
OF INDIANA AND
ALL CITIZENS OF OUR STATE
Manifesto Adopted by the State Gen.
veatlon of the Alliance of German
Societies of Indiana, Held in Lafay-
cite, September, and 2, 1912.

cite, September, and 2, 1912.
We, the delegates to the ninth an
nual convention of the Alliance OF
German Societies of Indiana, hereby |
declare that We oppose, as strongly
as ever, county local option and all
similar prohibition legislation. We
ican party remained true to its re-
dictionary sentiment in this regard and
expressed itself again in favor of
county option in spite of its bitter
experiences heretofore. However.
whether it deceives itself or not does
not need, under present political con-
ditions, give us much OF headache.
We are greatly surprised, however,
that the new party. going under the
name of Progressive party, placed
itself upon such a reactionary princi-
pie as prohibition, county option be-
ing in fact nothing but local prohi-
bition The fact that it designates the
LIQUOR question q moral question TO
be solved by the referendum makes
the matter not better, but worse, for
1t proves moral cowardice and hypo-
cricy and shows that the party is will
ing to sacrifice principle to success.
at least In Indiana. IF this question
| Is q moral one and not political one,
| what has it to do IN the platform II
a political party? With what right
does political party designate county
option as a status quo, yet to be estab-
lished, IL the question Is moral and
not a political one? Since when has 1t
become customary to submit ques-
lions depending on moral and religious
attitude, as the party expresses 1t In
its platform. to public vote, and is 1T
not a contradiction in itself to con-
slider a question as a moral and not
political question. and, at the same
time, refer 1t to a political referen-
dunn? Such a policy of carrying water
on both shoulders on the part OF
party that calls itself Progressive,
does not inspire us with much re-
spect for that party. although we are
friends or progress.
We recognize the right of the ma
jority to settle political questions, but
are unable to recognize the right to
settle questions Of moral and religious
attitude by law, and control conscience
in matters Of individual conduct
where the mutual relations of the citi
zens are not concerned. To regulate
these mutual relations is the proper
function of the law, but not to pre-
scribe or forbid actions for which tht
citizen is responsible to nobody blu
himself. The latter is plain violation
Of the principle Of personal liberty.
Il Is a sad mistake on the part of ;
political party to try to settle a mora
y question by the means of Legislation
under the assumption that 1t IS Pc
, itical question But if a political pal
i ty tries to settle question by pc
itical means although being consciou
Of the fact that the question is mora
and not 4 political question, it con
mits a political crime.
For these reasons We are forced
declare our opposition against tn
orthodox Republican party. as we'll
agans. its offspring, the new Pr
rressive party. OF course we hav
nothing 20 do with tho national ele
ton. but as far as the election
state and local officers in the state
| Indiana and especially members Of tn
| legislature Ia concerned. we most u
! gently ask the members Of our org
| nfaation as we'll as our liberal-minds
| fellow citizens to vote for none of II
| candidates of these two parties az
to DO Ill that lies in their power
| bring about the defeat Of both OF theI
! This IL the only effective means
force parties to leave VS. free fro
| this irritating, vexatious question al
20 eliminate 1t entirely from polite
/ W. have at present a license law
| styingeAt and effective as can be des
| ed. and ne thinking and liberal-mind
| citizen can wish TO have it replac
by legislation which so far has
suited in nothing else but law-brea
| ing and official corruption.
JOSEPH KELLER, PRES.
CARL DREISCH, SECY.