POPULAR CLAMOR
will beat in vain against our coats of mail if we but judge aright. But whatever we do let us preserve untarnished that Constitution we have so solemnly promised to obey and support. Fanaticism may for a time raise a clamor about our ears, but it will howl in vain. The people of Indiana, or a large majority at least, are not bigots. Let us stand as brave men with strong arms and stout hearts and breast the storm that would shiver our Constitution. Let us never forget its teachings nor its lessons. Let us be true and mindful of everything it contains, and follow its directions in all things upon which it speaks. Let us but do our duty and trust to God for the consequences.
Mr. Speaker, I have expressed my views upon this great question, great in its inception, great in its growth and great at its maturity. It is a question which arouses passion, incites envy, beget jealousies and rivalries, distracts neighborhoods and communities. It is a Pandora's box of evils, and even were it a thousand fold worse than it is, and the requirements of the Constitution had been followed, I should have page: 113[View Page 113] hesitated before voting against a proper submission of it at a general election. As it is I do not consider any question before us on any amendment, said to be "referred" to this General Assembly by the last one, and so shall cast my vote I am now, as I always have been, opposed to prohibition, because I believe the principle wrong and unjust.
Mr. HUSTON said: We have had this matter discussed from a legal standpoint, but I propose to discuss it from the standpoint of a citizen of Indiana. It is not for lawyers alone to decide whether or not this question is properly entered, but the people of the State will take this matter in their own hands and decide. Why was this amendment introduced? It was because 46,000 voters of the State requested it that it was introduced. It seems to me, Mr. Chairman, that this matter has been fully discussed. The press throughout the State, for the last three or four weeks, has been teeming with the considerition of these resolutions. I do not suppose that any argument could change one vote. I think that every member has decided how he will vote. I say, however, that this is not a party question, and that it was not introduced as a party question.
On motion, the Committee rose, reported progress and asked leave to sit again.
The report was concurred in by the House and then the House adjourned.
