McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-10-09
GOV. ST. JOHN.

His Letter accepting the Prohibition Nonf-
tf0n for President.
The following is St. Johns letter OF accept
ance:
OLArHE, KS, September 26-Hon. Samuel
Dickie. Chairman of Committee, Etc.-My
Dear Sir: In formally accepting the nomina-
ton for president, rendered to me by the ma
tional prohibition convention ut Pttsburg.
Pa, July %, 1884, I take the opportunity TO
state that while the honor was neither sought
nor desired by me. yet it is greatly appre-
ciated, bestowed as 1t was by a convention
composed of delegates who in point of moral
worth and mental ability were fully equal, IL
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; the old
issues have passed away. and with them
should go old prejudices and sectional strife.
To-day the products of the north and south
float in friendly relations in the same channels
and under the same flag. and every section OF
our country acknowledging allegiance to the
same government. There never was time
when our people could better afford to, and
when 1t was more important that they should,
stop and think than now. With manufac-
tories shutting down, banks breaking, mer-
chants failing in business securities unset
tied, western wheat selling mt the home mar
ket for forty cents per bushel, and hum
dreds of thousands of industrious mechanics
and laboring men who are willing to work but
can get nothing to do, 1t seems to me that the
time has come, for the people are the source
OF all political power, to call IL halt and stop
ana think, for there must be 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 villifca-
tlOn that each seem to thick the other merits,
is mainly devoted to q discussion of the tariff
question, ignoring all matters that relate to
the moral elevation of the people. i am of the
opinion that the manufacturer who, by reason
of depressed 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 the discussion, with his wheat not worth
as much in the bin as it cost him to produce
1t. The amount received by the government
Tor duties on imports is less than $2tD,OOOOOO
annually. There are about 175OO0 retail
dealers in intoxicating liquors in the United
States, each of whom pays to our govern
ment go, in consideration of which sum
for term of twelve months. When we add to
this the amount paid by the disillers. brow
ers and wholesale dealers, we find that the in
terest OF the government in the manufacture
and sale of intoxicating liquors is about $780,
OOO,OO0 annually. This traffic, sanctioned as it
is by the laws of the country, costs the people,
at low estimate, one thousand million dol
Jars per year, not to speak of the destroyed
MONIES, debauched manhood, poverty, heart
aches, crime and corruption it produces. This
dlsgraceful business should be suppressed ar
present system is worse than thrown away, |
saved to the people, and thus protection
Wcnid be given to the industries of this coun-
try that would enable u successfully to throw |
our doors open wide to the competition of tho |
world. The republican and democratic par |
ues favor continuance of the manufacture |
and sale of Intoxicating liquors as beverage, |
while the prohibition party demands that it |
Snail 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 Il ma |
tl0nal as well as a practical question, upon |
which large and respectable body of the clt- |
1Zens-against whose convictions party dis
clpline is powerless-haye decided to vote, |
and they will not be found haltin, between |
Two opinions touching this matter but viii |
work and pray and vote against this great
evil until it is driven from our land, nev@r to
return. The government is simply reflex of
honest, sober government we must have an
honest sober people; but we can never have
an honest, sober people so long as the govern
ment sanctions that which makes its citizens
ration of principles. which heartily endorse,
as set forth in the platform of the prohibition
party is entitled to the thoughtful consdera-
ton and earnest support of all good citizens,
without regard to locality or former political
animation. Our country needs an administra-
that will rise above mere partisan considera
tons and in the selection of public officials
make honesty, sObriety and efficiency. and
not service to party, the test. It should be
conducted not in the interest of any particu-
lar section. party, race or color, but in the in
terest of the whole people. To accomplish
this. all good 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 deserves a victC-
and fearlessly and faithfully do our whole du.
ty, never doubling that he will take care of
JOHN P. ST. JOHN.