South-eastern Independent. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1871-1871, 1871-06-09
Platform ofthe National Pre-.
hibItfOn Party,
Adcr:si at the Chicago Conrsntion, Sepfr.
., 1869.

Adcr.sa at the Chicago Convention, Scpfr
., 1869.
WHEREAS, Protection and allegiance are
reciprocal duties, and every citizen
who yields obedience to the just com.
mands of his government is entitled
TO the full, complete and perfect pro
lection of that government in the en-.
joyment of personal security, person
al liberty, and private property, and
WHEREAS, The traffic in Intoxicating
drinks greatly impairs the personal
security and personal liberty oflarge
masses of citizens, and renders pri.
vate property insecure, and
WHEREAS, The existing parties are
hopelessly unwilling to adopt an ad'
equate policy on this question, there
fore we, in national convention as
sembled, Is citizens of this free re-
public, sharing in the duties and re.
sponsibilities of its government, in
the discharge of a solemn dVty we
owe to our country and our race,
unite in the following declaration Of
principles
l. That while we acknowledge the
pure patriotism and profound states,
manship of those patriots who laid
broad and deep the foundations ofthis
government, securing at once the
rights of the States severally and their
inseparable union by the Federal Con-
stitution, we would not merely garnish
the sepulchers of our republican faith
ers, but we do hereby renew our sol
emn pledge of fealty to the Imperish-
able principles of civil and religious
liberty embodied in the Declaration of
American independence and our Feds
eral Constitution.
2. That the traffic in Intoxicating
beverages is a dishonor to Christian
civilization, inimical to the best inter
ests of society, a political wrong OF fun
equaled enormIty. subversiye of the
ordinary objects of government, not
capable of being regulated or restrain
ed by any system of license whatever,
but imperatively demanding for its
suppression effective legal prohibition
both by State and National Legisla-
tlon.
8. That in view of this. and inasmuch
as the existing political parties either
oppose or ignore this great and para
mount question, and absolutely refuse
to do anything toward the suppression
of the rum traffic, which is robbing the
nation of its brightest intellects, des-
troying its material prosperity, and rs-
pidly undermining its very founda-
tions, we are driven by an imperative
sense of duty to sever our connection
with these political parties, and to or
ganize ourselves into aNational Prohi-
bition Party, having for its primary
object the entire suppression of the
traffic in Intoxicating drinks.
4. That while we adopt the name of
the National Prohibition Party, as ex-
pressive of our primary object, and
while we denounce all reputation of
the public debt, and pledge fidelity to
the principles of the Declaration OF In
dependence and the Federal Constitu-
ton, we deem it inexpedient to give
prominence to other political issues.
5. That a Central Executive Commit
tee of one from each State and Terri
tory and the District of Columbia, be
appointed by the Chair. whose duty it
shall be to take such action as in their
judgment will best promote the in
terests of the party.