The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1884-10-09
ST. JOHNS LETTER OF ACCEPT.
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OLATHE, Kas. Sept. %, 1884.
To Hon: Samuel Dickie. ChAIrmAn OF Com.
mlttee, ETC.: - - =
My DEAR SR: In formally accepting
the nomination for president rendered
TO me by the National Prohibition con.
Ventlon at Plttsburg, July %, 1884. /
take the opportunity to state that while
the honor was neither sought nor de-
SIRED yet II greatly Appreciated, be-
slowed as Il was by q Convention com.
posed OF delegates who In point of moral
worth and mental ability were fully
equal II not superior 70 any political con.
VenLlon that ever assem- led In this coun.
Try. The war for the Union is oyer, the
rebellion has been crushed, African
slavery abolished, old issues have passed
away and with them should 90 old pre-
JUDGES and sectional strife. To-day the
products OF the north and the south
noat in friendly relations in the same
channels. under the same flag, and every
section OF our country makes acknoWl
edgement TO the same government.
There never was lime when
our people could better afford TO
and when 1t was more important
that they should stop and think than
now. with manufactures shuttin g
down, banks breaking, merchants fail
ing In business, securities unsettled
western wheat selling At the home mar.
ket at forty cents per bushel and hund-
reds Of thousands Of. industrious me-
chanics and laboring men who are will.
ing TO work, bul who can get nothing Ia
do, II seems to me that the time has
come for the people, who are the source
OF all political power, to call q halt and
think. For there must be Q reason fol
this condition Of things. The little
time and space the old parties can spare,
after dealingsout full measure OF per.
sonal abuse and Yillihcation that each
seems TO think the others merit, L
chiefly devoted to discussions of the
tariff question, ignoring matters that
relate 70 the moral elevation of the
people. l am Of opinion that the man
ufacturer who, by reason of the de-
pressed condition of business, has been
compelled TO make an assignment foI
the benefit of his creditors, will not find
relief In an agitation of that question,
nor will the average farmer become very
enthusiastic over its discussion, with his
wheat not worth as much In the bin as
1t cost HIM 70 produce 1t. The amount
received by the government for duties
on imports is less than $500, OO0, 600 an
nually. There are about 1000 retail
dealers in intoxicating liquors in the
United States, each of whom pays TO ouI
government $25, In consideration OF
which sum they are permitted TO carry
on their business for q term Of twelve
months. When we add 70 this the
amount paid TO distillers, brewers and
wholesale dealers, we find that the inter
est OF the government in the manu-.
facture and sale of intoxicating LIQUORS
Is about $4,000, 900 annually. This
traffic, sanctioned as il is by the laws OF
our country, costs our people ct the leasI
estimate thousand million of dollars q
year,no TO speak of the destroyed homes
debauched manhood, poverty, heartache
crime and corruption it produces. This
dIsgraceful business should be suppress
ed, and the enormous sum Of money thai
under the present system IL worse thar
thrown away, saved 10 the people, and
thus protection would be given to the
industries of this country that would
enable US successfully 20 throw our door
open wide TO the competition of the
world. The Republican and Democratic
parties favor continuance OF the manu-
facture and sale of intoxicating liquors
as beverage, while the prohibition
party demauds that the same shall be
forever suppressed. Thus an Issue il
presented to the people in which Is in
volved the protection Of every homo IN
the land. 1t is not mere local issue,
either, but il Is national as well as q
practical question upon which q large
and respectable body of citizens, against
whose convictions party discipline IL
powerless, have decided to vote, and
they will not be found hating between
two opinions touching this matter, but
will work and pray against this great
evil, until IL Is driven out of our land
never to return. The government Is
simply reflex of the individuals com
posing it. If we want an honest, sober
government we must have ar
honest, sober people. AS long aE
the government sanctions that
which makes its citizens dishonest,
drunken and corrupt, the declaration
of principles which / heartily endorse as
set forth in the platform of the ProhibI
ton party, Is entitled to the thoughtful
consideration and earnest support of al
good citizens, without regard to locality
or former political affiliations. Oul
country needs an administration thai
Will rise above mere partisan considers
tions IN the selection of public officials
and make honesty, sobriety md eff
cheney, and service to the party test
1t should be conducted not IN the inter
est of any particular section, party, race
or color, but in the interest of the whole
people. To accomplish this all gooC
citizens should promptly step TO the
front. This is no time for lodging
Moral cowardice will never win, anC
certainly never deserves a victory. TheI
let US look to God for his guidance anC
fearlesslY and faithfully do our Who'll,
duty, never doubling that he will tax,
care of the result
Very truly your friend,
john p. ST. JOHN.