The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-10-02
COLD WATER TALK.
The Prohibition Candidate Formally
Accepts the Nomination.
Text of His Letter of Acceptance
Both Old Parties Critieised-
Merits of the PrOhfbi-
ton Issue.

SlsAlhhf SCU S.-koOHte dSO
Mr.. St John, the Prohibition candidate for
president, sent telegram to Samuel Dickie,
chairman of the Prohibition committee, to
the effect that his letter of acceptance would
be ready in a short time, and that it would
embrace his views. The letter is as follows:
IN formally accepting the nomination for
president rendered TO me by the national Pro
hibiton convention at Pittsburg July %, L
take the opportunity to state that while the
honor was neither sought, nor desired by
me, yet it is greatly appreciated, bestowed
as it was by convention composed of dele
gates who, in point of moral worth and
mental ability, We're fully equal, if not supe
rior, to any political convention that ever
assembled in this country.
The war for the Union is over; the rebell-
ion has been crushed African slavery
abolished; old issues have passed away, and
with them should so old prejudices and sec
tional strife. To-day the products of the
north and south fioat in friendly relations in
the same channels, under the saline flag,
every section of our country acknowledging
all allegiance to the same government
There never was 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, securities unsettled, western wheat
selling at the home market for 40 cents per
bushel, and hundreds of thousands of indus
trious mechanics and laboring men who are
willing to work but can get nothing to do, it
seems to me that the time has come for the
people, who are the source of all political
power, to call halt and stop and think, for
| there must be a reason for this condition of
things
The little time and space the old parties
can spare after dealing out the full measure
| of personal abuse and villification that each
seems to think the other merits, is mainly
| devoted to a 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
| depre sed condition of business, has been
compelled to make an 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 its discussion with his wheat not worth
as much in the bin as it cost him to pro-
| duce it
| The amount received by the government
| for duties on imports is not less than $780,
100000 annually There are about rs, 900
retail dealers in intoxicating liquors in the
| United States, each of whom pays to our
| government $25, in consideration of which
| sum they are permitted to carry on their
| business for the term of twelve months
| When we add to this the amount paid by the
| dstillers, brewers, and wholesale dealers, we
| find that the interest of the government in the
| manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors
is about $50 600 annually. The traffic,
sanctioned as it is by the law of our country,
| cost the people at a low estimate-S1, 000,-
0O0, 900 year, not to speak of the destroyed
homes, debauched manhood, poverty, heart
aches, crime and corruption it produces
This disgraceful business should be sup
pressed, 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 success
| fully to throw our doors open wide to the
competition Of the world.
The Republican and Democratic parties
| favor continuance of the manufacture and
sale of Intoxicating liquors as beverage,
while the Prohibition party demand 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 mere local issue, either, but
it is national, as well as practical, ques-
ton, upon which large and respectable
body of citizens have decided to vote, and
they will not be found halting between two
opinions touching this matter, but will work
J and pray and vote against this great evil
until it is driven from our land, never to re-
turn.
individuals composing it. If we want an
honest, sober government, We must have an
honest, sober people. But we can never have
an honest, sober people SO long as thegovern.
ment sanctions that which makes its citizens
dishonest, drunken and corrupt
The declaration of principles, which
heartily indorse, as set forth in the platform
| of the Prohibition party is entitled to the
thoughtful consideration and earnest support
of all good citizens, without regard
to locality or former political atfilia
ton Our country needs an admins
tration that will rise above mer,
: partisan considerations and in the selection Of
, public Officials make honesty, sobriety anC
!, efficiency, and not service to party, the test
1t should be conducted, not in the interest o
any particular section, party, race, or color
but in the interest of the whole people. II
accomplish this, all good citizens should
promptly step to the front and be counted
for the right.
This is no time for lodging. Moral COW
ardice will never win, and surely never de
serves victory.
Then let us look to God for His guidance
and fearlessly and faithfully do our who'll
duty, never doubling that He will take car
of the results.
ISigned1 JOHN p ST. JOHN