Pubdate: Tue, 19 Mar 2002
Source: Springfield News-Leader (MO)
Copyright: 2002 The Springfield News-Leader
Contact:  http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1129
Author: Jim Lucas

ABE LINCOLN DID NOT SUPPORT PROHIBITION

I am frequently appalled whenever politicians and activists exploit 
the names of our founding fathers and other great historical leaders 
to support positions that are completely antithetical to the 
positions and philosophy of those they cite. However, this happens 
with such regularity that I usually shake my head and move on.

Thus, when I read Robert Keyes' article in the March 13 News-Leader, 
"Uncorking at Landers challenged," in which he quoted Allen Kemper, 
who opposes serving alcohol at the Landers, as saying, "Abraham 
Lincoln was against it, and I believe it's time for another 
prohibition," I let it pass. However, when that same quote reappeared 
in the March 16 "They Said It" section, for some reason I felt 
compelled to respond.

Lincoln could not have been more clear regarding his stand on 
prohibition. In a speech to the Illinois House of Representatives on 
Dec. 18, 1840, he said:

"Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is 
a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the 
bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by 
legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A 
Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our 
government was founded."

While Lincoln himself may have been a teetotaler, he was appalled at 
the notion of using the coercive power of the government to force his 
personal views on a free people.

Kemper exemplifies yet another example of what has been the bane of 
humanity since time immemorial: There are just too many people in 
this world who will not be content with running their own miserable 
lives.

Jim Lucas, Carthage
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MAP posted-by: Josh