The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-09-27
KANSAS STATE NEWS.
state Temperance Conveption.

The following platform and resolutions
were adopted by the State Temperance
Union at its late session in Topeka:
We, the temperance people of the State of
Kansas, in Convention assembled, trusting IN
God for the rectitude of our intentions, de-
clare as the sense of this meeting:
/. That the effect of intoxicating liquors as
a beverage is drunkenness, and is public
and private wrong, injurious alike TO the clti-
zen and the State; the great cause OF pauper-
ism and crime, and to aid to rid the people OF
this curse is the duty of every philanthrop1st
and patriotic citizen in the land.
p That the State has no moral or legal night
to license any wrong, but should enact only
such laws as will promote what is right, ana
prohibit what is wrong.
3 That the prohibition of the sale OF 1ntOX-
icating liquors as a beverage is moral ques-
tiOn, and is right in principal and in practice,
and it is the duty of all good citizens to foster
and aid and encourage the vigorous enforce
ment of all laws of the State enacted for this
purpose.
l. That the will of the people, expressed in
the Constitution and laws, is the sovereign
which all citizens owe unconditional Obedi-
ence. To refuse such obedience III the cltl-
zen, or failure of and law officer to execute
the law in good faith, is treason to the State,
and should receive the condemnation of all
good citizens.
5. That we are not only in favor of the en-
fOrcement of the Prohibition law against
the liquor seller, but we favor an active, Wig
orOuS campaign for the purpose OF inducing
men, by appeals to their higher nature, TO
cease the habit of drinking. In other words,
we are in favor of prohibition for the liquor
seller and moral suasion for the liquor
drinker.
against, any attempt by the Legislature to
strike prohibition from the Constitution, by
submitting an amendment for the purpose OF
the repeal or the emaSculation of the law al
ready enacted for the enforcement OF the
same.
ResOlred. That the issue before us in this
l,.,II Ice tor nf hl
people as embodied in our Constitution in the
Prohibition amendment and III the law to en-
force the same be carried into effect, or shall
both CONSTITUTION and Iaw?'' That we prompt
ly accept the issue forced upon us, declaring
our belief that under a constitutional govern
ment nothing can be more hurttul than the
tyranny of law-defying minority, and our
immoyable purpose to resist to the uttermOSt
and the last a doctrine which strikes down at
one blow the supremacy OF law and the SOW
ereignty of the people.
That we will not aid the election of any per-
son to any Office who by word or deed opposes
the execution of the laws on our statute book,
including the PrOhibitOry law.
That we are in tavOr of such amendments
to the ProhibitOry law as shall remove from
it any features that TO its friends may seem
unjust in their operations, and we call the at
tention of the people to the fact that the
eff is made in the last Legislature to secure
such amendments were opposed and defeated
by the saloon power.
That we express our severe condemnation
of officers. jurors and witnesses who violate
their Oaths in order to shelter and protect
criminals, and our hearty approval of the
course of those who preserve their personal
and official integrity by the discharge of their
sworn duty under the law.
That the theory of high license, though sim
cerely held by some, is unSOund and impracti-
cable; that it is mainly used as a subterfuge
on the part of the minority to defeat the will
of the majOrity, and in the interest of the sa-
looms, and that ii is specially OdiOus because it
diScriminates in favor of the rich against the
poor.
That the efficient labOrs of the President of
the Union, the Rev. A. B. Campbell to enforce
the prohibition laws of the State, and eSpe-
cially in the city of Topeka, have our hearty
approval and thanks, and we pledge him our
individual support and cooperation in the fu-
ture, in all legitimate means necessary to the
closing of all the liquor saloons in the State.
That as the saloons of the State are protect
ed by some corrupt City Governments, it will
be the duty of the next Legislature to change
the laws relating to the form of City Govern
mentS, so as to provide by specific statute for
Il summary removal of all officials who defy
the Constitution and laws without waiting for
the slow process of the common law.
That the thanks of this Convention are due
and are hereby extended to NJ. V. b. Bennett,
for his efficient and gratuitOuS labOrS in the
interest Of the cause advocated by the State
Temperance Union.
That this Convention does hereby heartily
thank James A. TrOutman for his efficient and
arduous labOrs as Secretary of this Union.