The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-10-09

The Prohibition Candidates Letter 40
cepting the Nomination for
President.
IF We Want an Honest, Sober Govern
ment, We Must Have an Honest,
Sober People"

OLATfE. Kan. Sept.26.
The Hon. Samuel Dickis. Chairman OF Com
mittee etc.
MY DEAR SIR, In formally accepting the
nomination for President rendered me by the
National Prohibition Convection at Iittsburg,
Pa, July 20, 1854, take the opportunity to state
that while the honor was nsther sought nor de-
sired by me. yet IL Is greatly app eciated, be-
slowed as II was by a convention composed Of
delegates who, In point OF moral worth and
mental ability, were fully equal. ii not superior,
TO any politi al convention that ever Assem- bied
in this country. The war for he Union Is over:
the rebellion has been crushed; African slavery
abolished; oil issues have passed away. and
with them should 90 old preJud ces and sec
tional strife. To-da' the products OF the
relations in the same channels, under
the same tag every section our country
acknowledging allegiance to the same Govern
ment. There never was tine when our peo-
pie could better afford To, and when ii was
more important that they should, stop and
tnink, than now. With MANUFACTURED shutting
down, banks breaking, merchants failing In
business, securities unsettled. Western wheat
selling at the home market fer Az cents per
bushel and humid eds OF thousands OF indus
trious mechanics and laboring men who are
willing TO WORK tut can get nothing to DO, IL
seems to me that the time has come for the peo-
pie, who are the source OF all political power,
to call halt, and stop and think. tor there
must be a reason for this condition OF things.
The little time and space the old parties can
sonal abuse and vilihcation that each seems TO
think the other merits, Is mainly devoted TO q
discussion OF the tariff question, ignoring all
matters that relate to the moral elevation OF the
people. j am OF the op MON that the manu-
factnrer who, by reason OF the depressed con-
dition of business, has been compelled 10 make
an assignment FOR the benefit of his creditors,
will not find relief in the agitation OF that qnes-
ton now, nor will the average farmer become
very enthusiastic over Its discussion, with his
wheat not worth as much in the bin as 1t cost
him to produce it.
Yhe amount received by the Governments for
dasies on imports Is less than 500, OOO,Oo0 an
nually.
There are about It's, 900 retail dealers in intcx-
tcating liquors in the United States, each Of
whom pays to our Government $25, in considera-
ton or which sum they are permitted 10 carry
on their business for the term OF twelve months.
When We add to this the amount paid by distill-
ers, brewers. and wholesale liquor dealers, we
find that the interest OF the Government In tho
manufacture and sale OF Intoxicating liquors is
about $50, 10000 annually.
This traffic, sanctioned as 1t is by the laws Of
Our country, costs the people at low estimate.
thousand million doiiars year, not to speak
OF the destroyed homes, debauched manhood,
poverty, heartache, crime, and corruption 1t
This disgraceful business should be sup
pressed, and the enormous sum OF money that
under the present system Is thrown away,
saved TO the people, and thus a protection
would be given to the industries of this c6up-
try that would enable US successfully to throw
world
The Republican and Democratic parties favor
cont1nu nee OF the manufacture and sale OF
Prohibition party demands that the same shall
be forever suppressed. Thus an issue Is pre-
sented TO the people IN which IS involved the
prot ection OF every home In the land. 1t is NOT
a mere local Issue, either. but 1t Is a national, al
well as a practical question, upon which large
an respectable body of Citizens gainst whose
convictions party discipline is powerless-have
decided TO vote, and they will not be found halt
ing between two opinions in this matter, but
viii work and pray ana vote against this great
evil until 1t is driven from our land never to ro-
turn.
The Gowernpent is simply the reflex of the
individuals composing t. u we wan an hon
est, sober Cover ment we must have an honest.
sober people 80 long as the Government sane
tons that which makes its citizens dishonest.
drupken, aud corrupt
The declaration OF principles, which hearth
~ indorse, as set forth In the platform OF the
Prohibition party, il entitled to the thoughtful
consideration and earnest support of all good
citizens without regard to locality or former
political utilization. Our country needs an adj
ministratiOn that will rise above mere partisan
considerations, and in the select on 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, COLOR, but In the interest
of the whole people TO accomplish this ali
and be counted for the right This Is no time
for lodging. Moral cowardice will never win
and surely never deserve q victory.
Then let US look to God for His guidance, and
fearlessly and faithfully do whole duty,
never doubling that He will take care of the ro-
JOAN p. ST. JOHN.