Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1917-01-18
DR.. Alexander's Address

LIZ AtCAUlkuCA . fANtik GOO
Dr. A. J. A. Alexander President of
the Forward League, spoke In part as
follows:
The fight against the rule OF the liquor
interests in Kentucky has been long
and hard one We have been compelled
10 meet this influence in every LeBlsla-
ture in the last twelve years, ana no
QUESTION can be settled on its merits be-
cause Of such interference. Every meas
ure introduced. no matter what its pur-
pose, has Il be made TO III into the
scheme OF the liquor lobby. Every legis-
lator who had the temerity TO strike "a
bow against this great evil must expect
his pet measures to be knitted, his per-
spnal character assailed and even his
life Threatened There are men before
me who could giye their personal testi, ,
not continue A question is not finally
settled until 1t is settled right, and | am
sure that no man could look into the
faces of the men before me and fail to
see that this time 1t shall be settled right.
The Legislative Contests.
For many years we have been striving
TO get the very best laws obtainable from
our Legislature. An increasing success
had some twenty-five dry counties, but
this was accomplished through special en-
actment After the new constitution was
adopted the Legislature passed what was
courts construed It as merely precinct
unit law NOre dry territory was added,
however, and thus 1t was an advanced
step.
I'm 1906 there was passed county unit
measure which, however exempted mu '
inequalities f over 5000 inhabitants. I'M,
was far frO'h what We desired and YET IL
was distinctly an advance.
In 1912 the present county unit law was
passed and under its operations we now
have 106 dr. counties. This, OF course
Is the best we have had up TO the pres
ent time and yet the liquor domination
OF our State has not been overcome lI
every one Of these advances We nave nad
10 meet Tho bitterest and most I'M
scrupulOus opposition and every ineans
lair and foul was used TO deieal them,
We must expect the same until we nave
driven liquor entirely from our Common
wealth.
Such have been the steps in our fight
so far. The battle has never been
strictly party one. Always nave there
been men both for us and against us III
both OF the great parties. ! wish, how
ever, TO call your attention TO one fact,
a fact Of which we Democrats may be
we'll proud. None Of the advance steps
named were taken by either of the Re-
publican administrations which have gov
erned Kentucky in the last two decades
Every advance has been under Demo
cratic leadership. The Democratic party
in the nation is today the party OF prog
twenty-five States that have now gone
dry nearly all gave their electoral votes
10 Wilson. As the dominant party in Ken
lucky II should be the one to lead in
this fight.
More Recent Events.
1T would seem, however that in the
last eighteen months this position OF
leadership is imperiled. II Is hardly nee
essary for me TO recount the events OF
the last few years to prove this. Five
years ago a Democratic candidate on q
dry platform was elected Governor by q
majority of $1,000. Two years ago q
Democratic candidate who stood for ev-
cry advance step in the anti-liquor fight
was elected to the United States Senate
by majority of $4,000. One year ago 9
Democratic candidate on reactionarS
platform was elected Governor by ma
jority OF less than 800. One fact II
abundantly demonstrated by these fig
ures. The Democratic party is the dom
inant party only when II can annex con
siderabel part of the increasingly larg'
thoroughly demonstrated is that this in
dependent vote is almost solidly dry.
Republicans recognize both OF thes
facts thoroughly and show II by throwinl
overheard their cargo. One does not have
TO be prophet to realize what the futur,
OF the Democratic party in Kentucky Il
should Its present course be continued
To meet this situation, TO restore thu
Slanu Olu party 10 It's pTOpe
place in our commonwealth, TO restoI
that commonwealth TO its proper piac
In the nation were the objects III the VI
ganization the Democratic Forwar
League.
''lIs leaders have been chosen fror
men who are not In politics. who see
no Office, but who are very deeply inter
ested in the welfare OF our state and gu
party. We advocate the candidacy of n
man except In so far as that candidac
nay advance our cause. To obtain tn
object that have mentioned, We realiZ
that certain steps must be taken. w
must Organi and educate our people 10
the most important light that has ye
been waged
we mus zee that in every district re
lably dry candidates for both Dranche
vi The Leg. azure shall enter the Dem
oerauc primary next August.
The Work To Be Done.
I'VE must see that these dry candidate
are nominate and elected.
we mu. see that the Legislature o
1918 shall submit 10 the voters IA satisfac
tory amendment 10 our constitution max
ing II unaw al to sell within the bounds
vi our State any spirituOus, VinOus o
malt liquor for any purpose other thai
sacramento; furtheI, that after reason
able length OF time 1t shall be unlawfu
~ manufacture any such liquors within
the bounds OF the State
We must then use our utmost endea
Yor 10 bring IL about that IN the election
Of 1913 Kentucky shall pile up such u
overwhelming majority lUr tins amend
ment that this dragon, this monster tina
has for so long strangled our government
ana cast It's polluung shadow over ever
activity In mis- lair state shall neve
again dare TO raise It's head. Then sna
our great party proudly write into IL
platform a new declaration Of independ
ence as IA. reaching IN It's impOrtanC
as lis prototype, penned by us grea
founder, Thomas Jefferson. The Demot
racy Of Kentucky II ana Oi right Uugl
10 be free and independent party"