Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-08-24
THE PLATFORM.

see:
THE PLATFORM.
We, the delegates and representatives. OF
the Constitutional Prohibition pirty of Ten
nessee, in conven:Ion assembled, do pr, ut
the following declaration OF principles and
statements Of faith, for the careful and, as We
trust, thorough considera, ion of the people
OF Tennessee, as follows:
We srraign The liquor traffic as the source
of more evil than all other causss com
bined in Tennessee. 1t debauches more
citizens, sends more men TO the gallows,
breeds more diacorj, mpoverishts more lam
lies, beggars more children, sends more peo-
pie TO the poorhouse, ard adds more TO our
criminal expenses than all other causes COM
bned; it is the source Of M ore indebtedness,
il has led our land with piupsrs, Grim
inals and vsgsbopds, and each day
the shTieks and groans OF its victims
are heard throughout the land. Latterly it
has assumed TO dictate the legislation of the
country by resolving, TIN ough its votaries ano
devotees, that it will not support the nominee
or party for Office or public position of any
kind who is 20: pledged TO its support. They
have organized natioua, State, county and
municipal associations to carry out and fur
ther these views. With these facts staring
you 10 the face, which will you do? Will
you vote with these association s, or stand idly
by, which is ABOUT the same thing, and there
by say that you are 10 favor Of continuing
this wholesale Deb Iuchery, or will you cast
your vote with the Prohibition party sud the
friends OF temperance, and thus put a stop
t. it? II Bsal be God,lsrvs him; but il the
Lord be God, then serve Him. 10 view of the
foregoing statement of facts, and the thoI-
sands Of others that might be added, showing
the enormi;y and Nervousness of the lrsffi :, but
for the nf tnn muFh ha
deleg ates and representatives assembled OF
the Prob ibition party and temperance
workers generally OF Tennessee, cali upon all
friends OF Temperance and lovers OF law and
order and genuine morality TO Join them 10
accepting he wager Of battle thus rendered
by the traffic, by resolving thst they will
support no mao fJr tfi e or sustsiu any
political party that does not pledge them to
stand by and support the following N measures:
First.-The submission of the question OF
constitutional amendment 10 the censtit u ion
of Tennessee by vote oi the people by the
next Legislature, according to the forms Of
law, forever prohibiting the manufacture,
importation or sale OF alcoholic s!imula ants
as a beverage in the s ate OF Tennets.s.
Second.-Thst they WILL stand by prohibi-
tion and enforce, without modification or
amendment, the four.mile law, and in fact
all other lava that are now or m, ~ here
after be placed upon the statute bsoks Of
Tennessee for The suppression and restriction
of the liquor irs FL. That we may not be
misunders ood, we will state that il is not
the purpos, or plan Of the Prohibition party
OF Tenn, rec to put sepra,e ard indtp n
dent candidate OF their own party into the
field, except in counties where the parties
and the candidates OF txisting psrtis will
not agree to give the people a chance 10 vote
on the constitutional amendment herein
provided, in which case they will put caudi-
dates of their party into The field a1d support
them without regard TO former party afi ia
tions.
1hird.-The Prohibition p-rly believe that
in askiDg this they but ask the recognition
and application OF a doctrine fund mental iu
our governm snt-thst the people rule. We
send greetings 10 all temperance workers and
orders throughout the State, The Women's
Christian Temperance Union, the Good Tem-
plars, the Sons OF Temperance, and all other
lodges and a,s &C ations, of wba,ver kind or
description, aud corgr .tulale item upcn the
bright outlook of the noble cats. The
promised morn is surely coming. 10 the
name and in behalf OF all lovers of temper
ance, law and order in Tenue see, We hersby
tender thanks to the judges and executive Of
6cers who have so far respected their oaths
and the wishes of the great body OF eober,
Ia hT-dDAuibS Wy "uOu lucy were
elected 10 enforce the Law for the suppression
and restriction Of the liquor traffic. All
honor TO such men, and We reby tender
them our support in the future. We submit
this statement of faith and d clar alton of
principles 10 the calm, di-passionate iadg-
ment of the people of Tenuessee, whether
they be 30 or no', and il true, we call upon
them as one N an, as they valus their appi-
ness and the hspJiness Of their children, IN
the light oil their o En co nsciencs aRd before
their God, to ,in with Us in driving this evil
monster our of the land.
SOME DISCUSSION.
When the address was esd some ;scussion
arose as 10 the name used in the caption,
some contending that the word "psrly" was
ill.advised. AT this time the interest of the
temperance people could be better perpetu-
ated through one OF the old political parties.
The Rev. H S. B4uuett spoke against
using the word party" He was R-publi-
can, and was not at this time ready 10 give
up his old love in toto and take on the new.
He thought, tor, it was premature; the
temperance people We're not strong enough
at present 10 fight this question on he party
line. He believed that the only way now to
advance the temperance cause in the Stale
was through one Of the old parti' 3, and as
the Democratic party 10 this Safe possessed
the virtue, wealth ard intelligence the sue
cess of the Prohibitionists WIS through the
Democratic party.
The motion to strike ou. the word "party"
aud insert "convention" wherever it occura,
having been called for, it was voted down.
Bennett then rose TO question of privilege
and stated that the acti1u of the convention
in voting this down had shut him out. He
would, unless the question was reconsidered,
be compelled TO Withdraw, and with the
ohairman's permission he would remain in
the room, but take no active part in the ro-
csediogs, but would say Gos-speed TO the
temperance people, and if at any time be
thought it expedient fIr him to throw of his
party principles and j,in the Prohibitionists
in their efforts he would do 81.
The address was then adopted as a whole.
Some effort was made 10 persuade Mr.
Bennett to reconsider his action in Withdraw.
ing, but this he decided TO do.
Col. A. s. Colysr made a temperance
speech, which WAS spplauded.
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