The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-08-18

w iCSuoiVaeS % PoheiSo'y hiUASS"
form. Requieseat IN pace is the cpl
taph that should be ascribed to Mr..
Dunnell. He has richly earned such
suggestive inscription.
CONSTITUTIONAL PROHIBITION.
1t is asserted that the present move
ment for constitutional! Prohibition
in Minnesota originated in the Min.
neapolis Temperance Reform Club
offering their hall. and the Minnesota
Temperance Union making the call.
The first convention met February
14th, 1882, and agents have been kept
constantly in the field since that time.
A second convention was called for
June 18th and l4th with large in.
crease in attendance and the enthu-
siasm upon the constitutional amend.
ment then so marked seems not to
have waned by the effacing hand of
time, hut rather to have taken firmer
root and wider range. The commit
tee having the proposition of Con-
stitutional Amendment in charge,
that is, In behalf Of the temperance
people, have issued the following cir
cular and request its publication in
the.skess of the State generally.
THE CIRCULAR.
The Constitutional Amendment
Agitation Committee desire to say
that the time for action has come.
Let that action be prompt, persistent.
fearless, effective. The enemy Is
thoroughly al oused, and will fight US
ut every step. He has learned by ex-
perience, and means to profit by it. If
our vigilance is only equal to his, we
shall win. because God and the right
are OH our side.
We recommend
LIST. That Mass Conventions in the
interest of Constitutional Prohibition,
be held Us speedily as possible in all
the counties in the State. If county
conventions are not practicable every
where, then hold Senatorial District
conventions. Take the matter into
your own hands this fall.
2nd. If neither party shall nom.
mate candidates favorable to the sub.
mission of the question of COnstitu.
tionOl Prohibition to the people. then
we advise that candidates be nomin.
ated who will so vote.
And let us all be careful and see
that no mistakes occur. A man who
will not pledge himself to you, is
doubtless already pledged to the other
side. BE not deceived. Every mem
Der of the next legislature will be
obliged to vote yes or no on this ques.
ton. Twill you allow the people OF
Minnesota to govern themselves in
respect to the manufacture and sale
of Intoxicating liquors." A consti'
tuencv has right to know before
hand how its representatives are going
to vote.
Call the convention arrange for
speakers send to us for suggestions,
programmes, etc. The object of these
conventions is to arouse public senti.
| ment prior to the election.
3rd. Attend the primary meetings
where the real work is done, and see
toit. if possible, that the Republican
and democratic parties nominate mer
wh6Iill, if elected to the legislature
vote to submit the question of consti
tutional yx0hibition to the people.
4th. II either party shall nominate
candidates who will vote for such
submission, we trust You will vote fol
such candidates witlNat respect tt
their politics-whether Republican
or DemOcrat,-thusm making the sub
lmission of the constitutional amend
5;s.s the paramount question in thu
/ J. +. CHAFFEE, Pres.
w. w. SATERLEE, Sec.
Now while the above circular i
perhaps all right, there are SOM
statements made which are slight.
perverted, and recommends mad
which are entirely unnecessary, and
it appears to us, injudicisus. Tn
assertion that 1.-THE enemy is thor
oughly aroused, and will fight us a
every STEP" Is not true as regard
this locality. The salOon-keepers, a
well rs others, recognize the right
OF the people to Vote upon this ques
ton of Prohibition Amendment
through their representatives, and i
left alone and not unnecessarily al
tagoniZed, will not raise an obstacle il
the way of electing alegislature upol
that issue.
THAT Mass Conventions in tn
interest of constitutional prohibition
be held as speedily as possible in al
the counties in the State will b
: doubly useless when Blue Earth cour
ty is considered, and the prohibition
lists may as well save the labor an
expense. 1t will not do to force thi
matter. Americans are class o
people who can be reasoned with an,
induced by conservative methods, +
, sustain reasonable measures, while |
, there appears disposition to coerc
them, they become contrary and III
manageable. Taking this view of il
then, and where there is genera
acceptance of the situation, Ovel
enthusiasm OH the part of the prim
= movers in this matter may upse
things and cause ruption wher
everything is plain sailing. and it vii
be primarily better to, instead o
taking matters "intO your ow
!. hands," let we'll enough alone.
We have before stated our view
upon the submission of the propose
Prohibition Amendment, and reiteI
ate that it is not q political move
ment, has no political significance an
: belongs to no single party to sustai
or condemn. We believe that we bu
forecast the result of the coming Re
publican County Convention when W
state that candidate for the senat
> or legislature who presents himsel
and is not willing to acquiesce in thi
legitimate demand, and pledge hi
vote for the submission of Const
tutional Amendment for ratifics
ton or rejection by the peopl
at the polls, will be peremptt
rily set aside to make room for
man who has broader views o
personal rights and popular sovel
eighty. We say this in all confidence
for the Republican party. above a
others, can lily afford to lend itself t
p L tho laEaat of a dau,axd No ,.olx..ll