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Letter to Editor
January 31, 1883
The Indianapolis Journal
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
What is this article about?
A letter criticizing the Democratic party's constitutional interpretations that allowed secession in 1861 and now oppose prohibiting liquor traffic, arguing for common sense to curb this societal harm, likening it to the defeated slave power.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
The Democrats and The Constitution.
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
The "constitution" has given the Democratic party a great deal of trouble. They cannot understand whether the constitution was made for the people, or the people for the constitution. They cannot tell which is the greater, the creator or the thing created.
In 1861 James Buchanan and his party were so "loyal" to the constitution that they were disloyal to their country. According to the Buchanan school it was constitutional for a State to secede, but was unconstitutional to coerce a State. It was constitutional to draft men and issue paper money to destroy the government, but it was unconstitutional to call for volunteers and issue greenbacks to save the country.
The liquor traffic is destroying the peace, the happiness and the homes of many people in our State. Good people are demanding in every county in the State that this blighting curse be cut off or dammed up.
James Buchanan's posterity tells the people that it is "unconstitutional" to coerce this traffic. This Buchanan dynasty hold that it is constitutional to legalize this woe-bringing traffic, but unconstitutional to prohibit it. It is constitutional to license men to sell alcoholic poison, but unconstitutional to prevent its sale.
Plain common sense seems to be an unknown factor to legislators and courts of justice. It is not wise nor right to permit a technicality nor the error or duplicity of a clerk to overthrow the will of the people.
It is becoming manifest to the wise that the liquor power is controlling legislation and our courts of justice. Every triumph of the liquor power over the people is an eye opener that will hasten the downfall of this power.
Never before in the history of our country were the legislative acts and the decisions of courts so closely watched and scrutinized as to-day. And in no previous time were the people so well informed, and so free from prejudice and party spirit as they are to-day.
The liquor ring is a great power, but not greater than the slave power. The latter was overthrown, the former will be.
Andrews, Ind.
S. M. M.
The Democrats and The Constitution.
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
The "constitution" has given the Democratic party a great deal of trouble. They cannot understand whether the constitution was made for the people, or the people for the constitution. They cannot tell which is the greater, the creator or the thing created.
In 1861 James Buchanan and his party were so "loyal" to the constitution that they were disloyal to their country. According to the Buchanan school it was constitutional for a State to secede, but was unconstitutional to coerce a State. It was constitutional to draft men and issue paper money to destroy the government, but it was unconstitutional to call for volunteers and issue greenbacks to save the country.
The liquor traffic is destroying the peace, the happiness and the homes of many people in our State. Good people are demanding in every county in the State that this blighting curse be cut off or dammed up.
James Buchanan's posterity tells the people that it is "unconstitutional" to coerce this traffic. This Buchanan dynasty hold that it is constitutional to legalize this woe-bringing traffic, but unconstitutional to prohibit it. It is constitutional to license men to sell alcoholic poison, but unconstitutional to prevent its sale.
Plain common sense seems to be an unknown factor to legislators and courts of justice. It is not wise nor right to permit a technicality nor the error or duplicity of a clerk to overthrow the will of the people.
It is becoming manifest to the wise that the liquor power is controlling legislation and our courts of justice. Every triumph of the liquor power over the people is an eye opener that will hasten the downfall of this power.
Never before in the history of our country were the legislative acts and the decisions of courts so closely watched and scrutinized as to-day. And in no previous time were the people so well informed, and so free from prejudice and party spirit as they are to-day.
The liquor ring is a great power, but not greater than the slave power. The latter was overthrown, the former will be.
Andrews, Ind.
S. M. M.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
Provocative
What themes does it cover?
Temperance
Politics
Constitutional Rights
What keywords are associated?
Democratic Party
Constitution
Liquor Traffic
Prohibition
James Buchanan
Secession
Temperance
Slave Power
What entities or persons were involved?
S. M. M.
To The Editor Of The Indianapolis Journal
Letter to Editor Details
Author
S. M. M.
Recipient
To The Editor Of The Indianapolis Journal
Main Argument
the democratic party misinterprets the constitution to justify secession and legalize liquor traffic, which harms the people, while opposing coercion to stop these evils; common sense demands prohibiting the liquor traffic to protect society.
Notable Details
References James Buchanan's Loyalty To Constitution Over Country In 1861
Compares Liquor Power To Slave Power That Was Overthrown
Criticizes Licensing Alcohol As Constitutional But Prohibition As Unconstitutional