The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-10-04
NOTES OF THE CANVASS.
Matters Of Interest Bearing on the
National and State Campaigns.
Text OF st. johns Letter of Acceptance
Result of Party Conventions In Sew
eral States-The American Political
Alliance-Other News.
ST. JOHNS ACCEPTANCE.

OLATHE, Kan, Oct. l.-Some days ago
Mr.. ST. John, the Prohibition candidate for
President, sent a telegram to Samuel Dickie,
Chairman of the committee, to the effect
that his letter of acceptance would be ready
in short time and that it would embrace
his views. The letter was given out yeSter-
day, and is addressed TO Mr.. Dickie. 1t is
as follows:
In formally accepting the nomination for
President rendered 10 me by the National
prohibition convention at pittsburgh, Pa,
July ~, 1884, take the opportunity TO state
that, while the honor was neither sought nor
desired by me, yet II is greatly appreciated,
bestowed as II was 10y n convention composed
of delegates who, in point of worth aud men
tai ability. were fully equal, II not superior to
any political convention that ever assembled
in 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 40 old prejudices and
sectional strife. To-day the products OF the
North and the South float in friendly reia-
tons in the same channels. under the same
flag, every section of our country aeknowl-
edging allegiance to the same Government
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 bust
selling al the home market for forty cents
per bushel, and hundreds of thousands of
industrious mechanics and laboring men.
who are willing TO work, but can get
time has come for the people, who are the
source of all political power, TO call IA halt and
stop and think, Tor there must be q reason for
this condition of things. The little time and
space the Old parties can spare after dealing
out the fun measure of personal abuse and
villitcaton that each seems to think the
ahe sscu msF1s of the MAINLY sar Sssotea
noring all matters that relate TO the
moral elevation of the people. ! am of the
OPINION that the manufacturer who. by rea-
son OF the depressed condition of business,
has been compelled 10 make an assignment
for the benefit of his creditors will not f1nd
relief in the agitation of that question now,
nor will the average farmer become very en-
thusiastic over it's discussion, with his wheat
not worth as much In the bin as 1t cost him to
produce it The amount received by the
Government for duties on imports Is less
than 200, 0OU.OOO annually.
There are ABOUT ia, 900 retail dealers in in.
toxicatng liquors in the United States each
of whom pays TO our Government twenty five
dollars. in consideration OF which sum they
are permitted to carry on their business tor
the term of twelve months. When we add TO
this the amount paid by the distillers brew.
ers and wholesale dealers, we fnd that the In
terest Of the Government in the manufacture
and sale of intoxicating liquors is about $50,
OO0.WN annually.
THIS traffic, sanctioned as It is by the laws OF
our country, costs the people, ut "a low estt
mae thousand million dollars year, not
to speak of the destroyed homes, debaurbcd
manhood. poverty heart ache. crime ana cor
ruption it produces. This disgraceful bust
ness shou d be suppressed and the enormous
sum OF money that under the present system
is worse than thrown away saved to the peo-
p g, and thus protection would be given to
the industries of this country that would ena-
be MS successfully to throw our doors open
wide to the competition OF the world.
The Republican and Democratic parties ia
vor continuance of the manu- actnre and
sale OF intoxicating liquors n ii beverage
while the Prohibition party dclnnnds that the
same shall be forever suppressed. Thus an
issue is presented to the people in which is
involved the protection OF every home in the
land. 1t is not a mere local .s>ue, either
as a practical question, upon which
large and respectable body of citizens
against whose convictions party discipline
is powerless-have decided to vote, and they
will not be found hating between two opln.
ions touching this matter but Will work aud
pray and vote against this great evil until II
is driven from our land. never to return.
The Government is simply the reflex OF the
individuals composing il. III we want an hon
g. I, sober Government, we must have AN hon
honest sober people so long rs the Govern
mcnt sanctions that which makes its citizens
dishonest. drunken and corrupt.
The declaration OF principles, which heart
lily indorsc, rs set forth in the platform OF the
Prohibition party, is crtitlei to the thought
full 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 considerations and in the
selection of public officials make hon
cSty, soDrcty and efficiency, and not service
to party, the test. II should be conducted.
not in the interest of any particular
section, party, race or color, but in the inter
est OF the whole people To accomplish this
all good people should promptly step TO the
front and he counted for the right This is no
time for dodging. Moral cowariice will never
win and surely never deserves victory.
and fearlessy and faithfully do our whole
duty, never doubling that He will take care
of the results.
john p ST.. JOHN.
OTHER POLITICAL MATTER.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept 29.-The following
order has been issued by the National Coun-
Gil of the American Political Alliance:
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 25.-ln accordance
with ordersto the State Councils issued Au-
gust calling for nominations b- councils TOR
President and Vice President of the United
states, to be voted for ut the coming election,
the National Council hereby announce that
William J.. Ellsworth, OF Pennsylvania, having
received the highest number Of votes for
President OF the United States and Charles II.
Waterman, of New York, having received the
highest number of votes for Vice President,
lhcy are hereby declared 10 be duly selected
as nominees of the American Political ALI
sncc. All State Councils are. therefore or
dercd TO prepare an electoral ticket in their
respective states and Export the same with
out delay 10 the National Headquarters. by
action OF the Grand Council of the United
States, the oath of the Order has been re-
pcaed.
BEAVER DAM, Wis, Sept. 29.-General
Bragg was unanimously nominated for Con
gress on the l50th ballot Saturday. For over
two weeks the balloting has been in Prog
fcSS. Delaney, the sitting member, led
most Of the time, closely followed by Sumner
For several days Bragg had been considered
practically ont Of the race or At best
nothing but dark horse Delaney and
Sumner at last became convinced that
peithcr could capture the prize. and after a
number of ballots had been taken Saturday
the break came At last and the old com
m4ndcr Of the Iron Brigade was declared
the unanimous choice Of the convention.
Speeches were made, amid much enthusi-
asm, by Hon. A. J. Delaney and Judge
Sawyer. after which the convention ad-
journed sine die
WASHINGTON, Sept 30.-Belva Lock
soOd has written personal letter 10 Gro
VI. -. al