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 - --- MAP posted-by: Josh