The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1871-03-31
Platform ofthe NatEenaI Pro-
hibItf0n Party.
Aaoptsz at tie Chicago COnvsnfen, Gspfr
2. 1869.

Adopted at tic Chicago C0~nvsn6en, 6spfr.
2, 1859.
WEEREAs, Protection and allegiance are
reciprocal duties, and every citizen
who yields obedience to the Just com.
mands of his government is entitled
10 the full, complete and perfect pro
lection of that government in the en-.
ioyment Of personal security, person.
al liberty, and private property, and
WHEREAS, The traffic in intoxicating
drinks greatly impairs the personal
security and personal liberty o flarge
masses of citizens, and renders pri-
vste property insecure, and
WHERxls, The existing parties are
hopelessly unwilling to adopt an ad,
eqnate policy on this question, there
fore we, in national convention as
sembied, as citizens of this free re-
public, sharing in the dnties and re.
spoRsibilities of its government. in
the discharge of 8 solemn duty we
owe to our country and our race,
unite in the following declaration OF
principles
|. That while we acknowledge the
pure patriotism and profound states
manship of those patriots who laid
broad and deep the foundations ofthis
governments securing at once the
rights of the States seEerally and heir
indispensable union by the Federal Con-
stitution, We would not merely garnish
the ~sepulchers of cur republican faiths
era, but we do hereby renew our sol
enn pledge Of fealty to the Imperish-
able principles of civil and religious
liberty embodied in the Declaration Of
American Independence and our Fed
sral Constitution.
2. That the traffic in Intoxicating
bes erages is q dishonor to Christian
civilization, inimical to the best inter-
ests of society, a political wrong of un-
squalsd enormity. subversive of the
ordinary objects of government, not
capable Of being regulated or restrain
cd by any system of license whatever,
but imEeratively demanding for its
suppression effective legal prohibition
both by State and National Lsgisla-
hon. -
D. Thstin view ofthis. and iaasmueh
- 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 "a
pidly undermining its very founda.
lions, we are driven by an imperative
sense of duty to sever our connection
with these political parties, and to or
ganise ourselves into aEational Prohi-
bition Party, having for It's primary
object the entire suppression Of the
traffic in Intoxicating drinks.
4. That while we adopt the name OF
the NStionsl Prohibition Party, as ex
pressive of q primary object, and
while we dsnounce all Reputation Of
ths public debt, and pledge fidelity to
che principles Of the Declaration ofIn.
dependence and the Federal Constisu.
ton, we deem il inexpedient to give
prominence TO other political issues.
5. That Central Executive Commit
zee of one from each State and Terri
tory and the District of Columbia, be
appointed by the Chair. whose duty il
shall be to take such action as in their
judgment will best promote the In
tsrests ofths party.