River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-10-30
REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN NEWS.
An APpEAI.
so Republican Temperance NJ en- as to
Their Duty in the Present National Con-

test.
We, steadfast temperance men and. prohibi-
tlonists ourselves, ask yepr careful considera-
ton of the foll0vlnr reasons for not voting the
national prohibition ticket
Nlrst-Because ii is the general sentiment of
prohIbltIonlsts that the cause Will hereafter as
heretofore. be more successful when the ques-
ton Of prohibition is submitted to a vote of the
people separate from other issues and distinct
from party politics.
second--fecause prohibition cannot she
cessfully make national political issue until
policy to be pursued has been clearly defined
apd approved by the great body of the friends
Of the callse in the United States.
lhird-Becallse the present prohibition tick
ct was put in the field without such approval
The convention which inaugnrated the move
ment and nominated the ticket, did not repre-
sent the great body Of nrohibtionists through
out the country, and large part of the con-
ventiOn opposed placing a ticket in the field
Temperance people IN states in which prohibi-
ton has been successful, as Maine, Iowa, and
Kansas generally opposed it.
Fourth-Because the present movement Is
confusing-no plan of operations being proper
~ defined. According TO its platform, vote
for st John is as much vote for woman suf-
frage-for Chinese emigration to this country
for taking the appointing power away from the
president-for its unjust impntatons against
both Blaine and Logan-as tits for temperance
and prohibition.
Fifth-Because the platform is not the ex-
preston of the convention, but of committee
appointed to revise and republish il The
platform adopted by the convention contained
a fiat money greenback plank which tho com
( mittce eliminated Gov, St Johnin his accept
ance heartily endorses the platform, but fails to
say whether 1t is the one adopted by the con-
vention or the committee
Before presenting this crude document in
the name of the prohibitionsts of the country
for the suffrages of the American people, the
questions ID be voted ON should have been
more carefully considered and authoritively
adopted. Especially before requiring them,
as the platform does, to ignore all other ques-
tions of public interest represented by the re-
publican and democratic parties .
Sixth--Because it is unfair to patriotic citl-
zens to bring the question of prohibition be-
fore the people in such shape as not only to
require its friends to vote for what many of
them do h6t approve; but to sacrifice their
votes on all other questions, however vitality
important 10 the welfare of the country
where there is not the slightest prospect OF
success
1t is true the republican party declined to
make prohibition an issue in its platform.
For ii to have done SO would have been po-
litical suicide. 1t would have driven out Of
the party all of its members, except the prohi-
bitionists. 1t would therefore have been the
abandonment Of the field to the democratic
party. It would have been to turn over the
protection of their rights and the education of
the freedmen the preservation and malnte-
nance OF all OF lUc WISE anu DSutilctnJ IlttS-
ures and the great achievements of the repub
lcan party TO the care, enforcement and pres
eryation of the party that has always been very
bitterly opposed to them
1t is also true that its candidates are not at
liberty to make new issues for tho party by let
ters, speeches, or acts; for either to do so
would be unwarranted assumption Some
prohibitionists have censared Mr.. Blaine for
not voting on the amendment to the constitu-
ton in Maine. But little reflection will salts
cnt.
been an assumption Of party authority, imme
diately after the national convention had de-
clined to make the question an issue
For Mr. Blaine to have voted against the
amendment would have been unjust to the pro
hibitionsts, and to have voted for it, unjust to
those who are opposed-both having Joined in
adopting the platform and nominating him to
stand upon it.
Seventh--Because votes by republicans for
St John are thrown away from the party that
fsvors majority rule,--a free ballot and fair
eount,-a government of the people, by the
people. and for the people and which permits
a vote on the question OF prohibition under all
proper circumstances; thrown away in favor
of the party that is opposed to all prohibitory
legislation whether the people are in favor of
it or not
Eighth Because republican votes for the
prohibition ticket are three-fold worse than
thrown away, l. e., they weaken the party of
fair play; they strengthen the party of I'M
compromising hostility; and they indorse an
unwise and illdigested movement that will
greatly embarrass, retard and weaken the
cause of prohibition.
Ninth-Because there not being the slight
est prospect of the election ef this so-called
prohibition ticket, the only result OF republi-
cans voting for it in large numbers will be to put
the democratic party In control of the general
government
Tenth-Because if this is the object as some
leaders in the movement avow it to be, it will
be more honorable and straight forward to vote
for Cleveland and Hendricks direct than for st
john as this would avoid the odium of prac-
hcing deception upon the friends OF temper
ance in order to do thing of such doubtful
propriety as to put Gov. Cleveland into the
white house.
Eleven th-Because we do not believe any
true republican can honestly throw away his
vote or aid directly or indirectly in electng the
democratic ticket If republicans have allowed
abuses democrats have always been worse.
1t is unreasonable to favor q change from
bad to worse simply for change 1t would
be tempting great calamity. The success of
the democratic party at this time would throw
dark cloud of doubt and uncertainty and
gloom of impending danger over the business
interests of the country would last for years
No one can tell what policy it would pursue,
what of the republican legislation of the last
twenty-five years it would repeal or what new
measures it would adopt
The danger and probabilities are thatits acts
would be in accord with its former course,
doctrines ana trdultlOns, LOT IL PROCESSES 10 dO-
here to all of Its me-honored principles
It is only safe to judge of these by its former
acts, and by the known and oft-repeated senti-
ments of a majority OF those composing and
of course controlling the party. They are
largely the men who made and sympathized
with the war for the overthrow of the govern
meut caucus of its members of congress
would be controlled by these men. And thus
they would take charge of the government
they so recently attempted to destroy.
Wfn41l1 fhn of
soldiers and the provisions for their care and
preferments and for their widows and orphans
be safe in such keeping2
Inc Party tb g pafon credit Inc he
safe if intrusted to its careg 1t opposed the
establishment of our national banking system
Would it not alter, cripple or overthrow 1t?
1t has always opposed protective tariffs.
Would it not leave our manufacturing, pro-
ductive, and labor interests without proper
fostering care by its revenue reforms?"
Tt opposed emancipation, embarrassment,
equality before the law, and civil rights for
negro Would it be likely to maintain and en-
force the laws securing them? Or would it be
safe guardian and friend to promote the
education and elevation of the negroes winch
are so important TO their welfare and to the
safety and prosperity of the institutions of the
country?
1t is opposed to the amendments to the CON
stitution and the reconstruction acts, and has
threatened in its platform their repeal If put
in power can any one tell what course it would |
pursue on these questions?
Is any republican SO strong prohibltlonlst
as to be willing to jeopardlze all these great m
terests for the purpose of throwing away his
vote on Gov. St John?
Twelfth-Because it il wrong to elect party
10 power that ignores its principles and evades
discussing the policy it intends to pursue and
attempts to get into power by personal de-
traction of its opponents. Do you propose 10
thus aid in in0ors ng the license of the press
and the prostitution of the artists pencils and
orators platforms to the purpose of robbing
men of their good name that iterates and reit
crates its personal detraction, misrepresenta-
lions and ISLANDERS as now resorted to by the
democratic party through its old and new
leaders, or do you favor ''clean politics."
Thirteenth-Both the nominees for president
and vice president by the republican party are
competent and worthy Both are high minded
and honorable Christian gentlemen, members
IN good standing-onessin the Congregational, I
the other in the Methodist Episcopal church
against whom the poisoned darts of malice
have been hurled by their political enemies III
vain. Both of whom have been in the clear
light of the public gaze before the country for
twenty wears They have occupied the highest
places in the councils of the nation. They have
been honored leaders of their party for all that
long period, enjoying its implicit trust and IN I
shaken confidence in their wisdom, integrity |
and faithfulness to public duty.
Observation-Disclosures the nominee of the
democratic party for president is neither COM
petent nor worthy to fill the highest and most
responsible Office in this great nation.
His gross blunder while dodgng the tariff
question IN his letter accepting the nomination
BY declaring that the president has nothing to
a., with legislation-his office being simply ex-