The Politician and Whiskey Story | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Have you ever tried to get a straight answer from a politician?

    I think it can be safely said that our publisher, Stan does not fall into this category.

    Cavett Robert was a professional speaker, lawyer and writer from Mississippi.When he was a young man he suffered from a lung disorder so severe that doctors advised him to move to a dry climate and he might live another six months. He often said, "The last 50 years in Phoenix have been the best six months of my life."

    Here is one of Cavett's favorite stories.

    It's about a Mississippi politician who was asked by the editor of the Macon Beacon, in Noxibee County, during a campaign mind you, how he stood on the "whiskey issue," which was to have or not to have prohibition.
    He knew if he said he was for it he would lose half and win half.

    If he said he was against it, on the other hand, he would win half and lose half.

    It was enough to drive a teetotaler to drink.

    However, as Lincoln said, "You can fool some of the people some of the time, but once every four years is enough," or something like that.

    Anyway the cagey politician did not side step the question.

    He answered, "Sir, if by whiskey you mean that devil's brew, that poison scourge, that bloody monster that defiles innocence, dethrones reason, creates poverty-yea, takes the bread out of the mouths of babes ... if, sir, when you say whiskey, if you mean that vile drink that topples the Christian man and woman from the pinnacle of righteous and gracious living into the bottomless pit of despair, depravation, shame, hopelessness and helplessness, destroys homes, creates orphans and depraves the community in general ... sir, if that's what you mean by whiskey, I promise my constituents, if I am elected, I'll fight to destroy this demon with all the strength I possess."

    Exactly half the audience applauded wildly.

    "But if, on the other hand, when you say whiskey, if you mean that oil of conversation, if you mean that philosophic wine and ale when good fellows get together, puts a song in their hearts, laughter on their lips, warm contentment in their eyes ... sir, if you mean that medicinal spirit that puts a spring in an old man's step on a frosty morn, if you mean that nectar of the gods the sale of which puts untold millions in our treasury, tenderly cares for our little orphan children, the blind and the deaf, the halt and the maimed, the aged and infirm ... yea, verily builds great highways, schools, hospitals and makes this world a better place in which to live...now, sir, if that's what you mean when you say whiskey, I want to promise my constituents, if I am elected, I'll fight to protect this essence of divinity with all the strength I possess."

    The other half of the audience applauded wildly.

    Then he added the capstone of it all. He said, "Sir, now that I have answered your query without equivocation, I hope you will, in good conscience, report in your paper that I am a man with the courage of my convictions.

    "I will not waiver or compromise. This is my stand."

    The editor printed his answer. He won by a landslide.