San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-09-25
The Prohibition Party.

Ine fTOnlDitIOu TuTys
Knowing the Christian-Evangelis,
to be in favor of prohibition, anG
hence believing it would permit q
reasonably limited discussion as te
the best means for its promotion,
venture to say few words respecting
the last political convention of this
country, and to my mind the most
important that has for many years
solicited the patronage OF the Ameri
can voter. 1 say the mostimportant
not on account of the large number
of conciliatory resolutions emanating
from it or the great number of as
pirants for leadership, nor, perhaps,
because of any immediate effects il
may work in political circles, but
because the first of q. series of conven.
tions which must ultimately culminate
in the triumph of one of the greatest
reformative movements, if not the
greatest, of the century. This con-
vention was a necessity. 1t is the
legitimate outgrowth of the times.
Alarmed ut the threatening audacity
of the liquor traffic, a strong adverse
sentiment has sprung up all over the
the nation. Time after time have the
advocates of prohibition importuned
the old political parties for a plank
on which to stand; but each time
their request has been ignored, and
not unfrequently received with deris-
ion. Long and patiently they have
endured these rebuffs, anxously hop
ing that one of the parties would at
length espouse their plea. In vain
they have waited, Now what other
honorable course remained to them
save the one pursued at Pittsburg
Shall they stand around like big
boobies, with their fingers in their
mouths, as those who question the
expediency of the move seem to de-
sire? Because all men will not join,
shall they remain inactive while king
Alcohol ravages the land? Is this
the spirit ofreform Is this Luther
Not bit of it. Men who have the
courage and resolution to inaugurate
any great reform are generally men
men of nerve and determination.
They are men who, when not suppor-
ted by others, will support themselves.
This is the spirit that actuated the
members of the Pittsburg convention.
They met, and in language too plain
to be misunderstood, declared their
purpose. The platform presents no
long line of glittering resolutions to
catch the vote of the unwary, but
without equivocation, without essay
ing TO conciliate all parties by strad-
ding every question Of any import, it
stands squarely on it's great issue OF
prohibition, and calls for the support
of prohibitionists and only prohibi-
tionists. It has chosen as leader
that matchless chieftain Of Kansas,
Ex-Gov. st. John-a man who for
purity of character stands unimpeach-
ed before the world, and whose
answering fidelity to prohibition has
but enlicited the administration OF
both foes and followers. Now it
remains to be seen whether the grand
national army of prohibition will
rally round their standard bearer,
and with closed ranks move forward
with bristling phalanx, or whether it
will fade away and poll but a scat
tering vote at election. 1t behooves
every true prohibitionist to bestir
himself. Strike while the iron glows.
Prohibition must make a showing at
the coming election that will cause
the old parties to Gala halt to this
''snubbing" business.
Who will fee his colors in the COM
ing onset Forsake principle and
vote with one of the old, worn-out
parties just because the more hume
rousi Queer philosophy that! A
vote alone with principle rather than
with millions and party should be
the sentiment of every prohibitionist
Others may do as they will, but as
for me, 1 trust that in future years,
when meditating on the past, it
may be the source of no childish
satisfaction to know that my first
ballot was cast for the nominee OF
the first national convention that met
in the interest Of legislation prohibi-
tory of the liquor traffic.
Upton, Kansas, August, 6, 1884