The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-10-09
THE GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN.
His Letter Formally Accepting the
Prohibition Nomination for President,

nln AOCs0E EOFmSuy Accepting the
Prohibition Nomination for President.
CHICAGO, Oct. 2.-The following is
St. Johns letter of acceptance:
OLArHE, Kan, Sept. 28, 1870. Hon.
Samuel Dickie, chairman of committee, etc.,
My dear sir: Informally accepting the nomi-
nation for President rendered to me by the
national Prohibition convention ut Pittsburg.
Pa. July q, 1884, take the opportunity to state
that while the honor was neither sought nor
desired by me, yet it Is greatly appreciated, be-
slowed, "a 1t was, by convention composed
of delegates who, in point of moral worth and
mental ability, were fully equal, If not supe-
rior, to any political convention that ever assem-
bled in this country. The war for the union is
over. Rebellion has been crushed. American
slavery is abolished. Old issues have passed
to sectional strife: To-day the products 'of the
north and south float in friendly relation in the
same channels under the same flag, every Sec
ton OF our country acknowledging allegiance
to the same government. There never was q
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, merchants failing in business, Sc
curities unsettled, western wheat selling at the
home market for 40 cents per bushel, and hun
dreds OF thousands Of industrious mechanics
NJ
can yet nothing to do, it seems to me that the
time has come for the people, the source Of ali
political power, to call a halt and stop and
think, for there must be a reason for this con-
dillon OF things. The little time and space the
Old parties can spare after dealing out the full
measure OF personal abuse and villitication
that each seems to think the other merits is
mainly
DEVOTED TO DISCUSSION OF THE TARIFF
question, ignoring all matters that relate to
the moral elevation Of the people. am Of the
opinion that the manufacturer who by reason
OF the depressed condition of business, has
been compelled to make All assignment for the
benefit of his creditors, will not find relief in
The agitation OF that question now, nor will the
average farmer become very enthusiastic over
the discussion with his wheat not worth as
much in the bin as it cost him to produce it,
Tue amount received by the government for
duties on imports is less than S2OOUU,O 600 an
nually. There are about Us, 600 retail dealers
III intoxicating liquors i'll the United States
each OF whom pays our government s25, in
consideration Of which sum they are permitted
to carry on their business for a term of twelve
months. When We add t. this the amount
paid by distillcrs, brewers, aud wholesale deal
ers, we find that the interest of the govern
ment in the manufacture and sale of intoxicat-
ing liquors is about $50, 100000 annually
This traffic, sanctioned as it is, by tile laws
OF the country, costs the people at the lowest
estimate 81 ,OOo, 900 600 year, not to speak of
the destroyed homes, debauched manhood.
poverty, heart ache, crime and corruption it
produces. This disgracctul business should
be suppressed and the enormous sum of
money that, under the present system, is
worse than thrown away, saved to the people,
and thus protection would be given to the
industries of this country that would enable us
to successfully throw our doors wide open
to the competition of the world The Repub-
lcan and democratic parties favor a contn,l-
ance OF the manufacture and sale Of intoxi-
eating liquors liquors as beverage, while the
prohibition party demands that the same shall
be forever suppressed. Thus
AN ISSUE is PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE
in which is involved the protection of every
nome IN the land. 1t is not merely local
issue either, but it is national issue as well
as practical question, upon which the large
and respectable body Of citizens, against whose
convictions party discipline is powerless, have
decided to vote, and they will not be found
halting between two opinions touching this
matter, but will work aud pray and vote against
this great evil until it is driven from our land
never to return. The government is simply
reflex OF the individuals composing it, If We
want an honest, sober government, We must
have an honest, sober people, but we can never
nave an honest, sober people, so long as the
citizens dishonest, drunken and corrupt The
declaration of principles which / heartily in
dorse, as set forth in the platform of the Pro-
hibitiOn party, is entitled to the thoughtful
consideration and earnest support of all good
citizens, without regard to locality or former
political affiliations. Our country needs an ad-
lninistration that will
RISE ABOVE MERE PARTISAN CONSIDERATIONS,
and the selection of public officials make hon
csty, sotriety 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, but in the interest Of the whole
people. TO accomplish this all citizens should
promptly step to the front and be counted for
the right. This is no time for lodging Moral
cowardice will never win and surely never de-
serves a victory. Then let us look to God for
his guidance and fearlessly and faithfully do
take care of the results Very truly, your
friend, John F. ST. JOHN.