The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-10-01
St. Johns Letter of Aoeeptanee.

OLArHE, Kas., September IS, 1881, =
Hon. ,SqppueI Dickis, Chairman Of Cone
neittse, ETC.:
My Dear SirEIn formally accepting
the nomination for President, rendered
me by the National Prohibition Conven-
ton, at Pittsburg, Pa, July 23d, 1884,
l take the opportunity to state that
while the honor was neither sought
or desired by me, yet it is greatly
appreciated, bestowed as it was by
convention composed of delegates who,
in point of moral worth and mental
ability were fully equal, if not superior,
to any political convention that ever as
sembled i'll this country. The war for
the Union is oVer;,the rebellion has
been crushed; African slavery abolished;
old issues have passed away, and with
them should go old prejudices and sec
tional strife. To-day the products of
I the north and south float in a friendly
relation in the same channels. under
the same flag, every section of our
country acknowledging allegiance to
! the same government. There never
was a time when our people could
better afford to, and when it was more
important that they should stop and
| think than now. With manufactures
| shutting down, banks breaking, mer-
chants failing in business, securities I'M
/ settled, western wheat selling at the
/ home market for 40 cents per bushel, and
! hundreds of thousands of industrious
mechanics and laboring men, who are
willing to work but can get nothing. to
/ do, it seems to me that the me
has come for the people who are
suffering should speak.
| The interest of the government in the
manufacture and sale of intoxicating
liquors is about $50, 100000 annually.
This traffic, sanctioned as it is by the
lowest of the country, costs the people,
at u low estimate, $1,000, O00, 900
a year, not to speak of the
destroyed homes, debauched manhood,
poverty, heartache, crime and corrup-
] ness should be suppressed, and the
enormous sum of money that under
| the present system iSsworse than thrown
away, saved to the people, and thus a
protection would be given to the indus
tries of this country that would enable
US to successfully throw our doors open
wide to the competition of the world
| The Republican and Democratic parties
favor continuance of the manufacture
and sale of Intoxicating liquors as a bev-
erage, while the prohibition party de-
mands that the same shall be forever
suppressed. Thus an issue is pre-
sented to the people, in which is
involved the protection of every home
in the land. 1t is not a mere
local issue either; but it is a national as
well as practical question, upon which
large and respectable body of citizens,
l. xr-hOca onpvyiOtiOr,c norfxv Dis
cipline is poWerlesS, have decided to
vote, and they will not be found hating
between two opinions touching this mat
ter, but will work and pray, and vote
against this great evil until it is driven
from our land, never to return. The
government is simply a reflex OF the
Individuals composing it. Ii we want
an honest, sober government, we must
have an honest, sober people; but we
can never have an honest, sober people
so long as the government sanctions
that which makes its citizens
. dishonest, drunken and corrupt.
The declaration of principles which
heartily endorse as set forth on the
platform of the Prohibition party, Is
entitled to the thoughtful consideration
and earnest support OF all good citizens,
! without regard to locality or former
, political utilization. Our country needs
an administration that will rise above
mere partisan consolidation. and in the
selection of public officials make
. honesty, sobriety and efficiency, and
not service to party, the test. 1t should
, be conducted, not in the interest OF any
particular section, party, race or color
Int in the interest of the whole people
To accomplish this. all good citizens
should promptly step TO TN tne Iron Iron
to be counted tor fo Ine dod Lgns
: and moral coWardice; they will never
: WIN WIN p and surely never deserve a VIC
torn E1' al" Then S let us look to God for Hi:
guidance, and faithfully do our -, whole u
auty, never doubling that He Will take
a care of the results.
!. Very truly, your FRIEND sr John