Whiskey Speech

In 1952, Mississippi state representative, Noah S. "Soggy" Sweat, Jr., gave his infamous "Whiskey Speech" on the floor of the Mississippi state legislature concerning whiskey. It's reported that it took Sweat two full months to draft his speech, which is renowned for the grand rhetorical terms in which it seems to come down firmly and decisively on both sides of the question. The speech gave rise to the phrase If-by-whiskey, used to illustrate such equivocation in argument.

To celebrate this iconic speech, Bourbon & Banter has created a t-shirt that features the full text of Sweat's speech on the back in a familiar whiskey bottle shape. Our new Bourbon & Banter logo adorns the front of the shirt letting the world know you're spreading the bourbon gospel.  

Here's the full text used on the back of the shirt:

My friends, I had not intended to discuss this controversial subject at this particular time. However, I want you to know that I do not shun controversy. On the contrary, I will take a stand on any issue at any time, regardless of how fraught with controversy it might be. You have asked me how I feel about whiskey. All right, this is how I feel about whiskey:

If when you say whiskey you mean the devil's brew, the poison scourge, the bloody monster, that defiles innocence, dethrones reason, destroys the home, creates misery and poverty, yea, literally takes the bread from the mouths of little children; if you mean the evil drink that topples the Christian man and woman from the pinnacle of righteous, gracious living into the bottomless pit of degradation, and despair, and shame and helplessness, and hopelessness, then certainly I am against it.

But, if when you say whiskey you mean the oil of conversation, the philosophic wine, the ale that is consumed when good fellows get together, that puts a song in their hearts and laughter on their lips, and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you mean Christmas cheer; if you mean the stimulating drink that puts the spring in the old gentleman's step on a frosty, crispy morning; if you mean the drink which enables a man to magnify his joy, and his happiness, and to forget, if only for a little while, life's great tragedies, and heartaches, and sorrows; if you mean that drink, the sale of which pours into our treasuries untold millions of dollars, which are used to provide tender care for our little crippled children, our blind, our deaf, our dumb, our pitiful aged and infirm; to build highways and hospitals and schools, then certainly I am for it.

This is my stand. I will not retreat from it. I will not compromise.

Printed on Next Level Premium fitted short-sleeve 100% combed cotton crew shirts, our shirts offer extreme softness, 1x1 baby rib-knit set in collar, tear-away label and a fit that is perfect for all body types. 

Please note that these shirts are more form-fitting than a Gildan shirt so please order up a size if you're concerned about overall fit.