The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-10-30
REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN NEWS


TO 8epu0l10A0 xon1p0TA0cO II On ~ ia
Their DutyS1nt tine Present National Con
test. IS !
We, steadfast temperance men and prohibi-
tlonlsts ourselves, ask your careful c0nsidera-
ton Of the following reasons for not voting the
national prohibition ticket:
Flrst-Because it is the general sentiment Of
prohibitionists that the cause will hereafter, as
heretofore, be more successful when the ques.
ton of prohibition is submitted to vote Of the
people separate from other issues and distinct
from party politics.
Sccond-Because prohibition cannot sue
cessfully make national political issue until a
policy to be pursued has been clearly defined
and approved by the great body of the friends
of the cause in the United States.
Ihird-Because the present prohibition tick
ct was put in the field without such approval
The convention which inaugurated the move:
ment and nominated the ticket, did not repre-
sent the great body Of prohibitionists through
out the country, and a largo part of the con-
yention opposed placing ticket in the field.
Temperance people IN states in which prohibit
ton has been successful, as Maine, Iowa, and
Kansas, generally opposed it.
Fourth-Because the present movement is
'Gon5 tsas plan of operations being proper
for st. John is as much vote for woif1sn suf-
frage-for Chinese emigration to this country
for taking the appointing power away from the
prcsident-for its unjust imputations against
both Blaine and for temperance
Ffth-Because the platform is not the OK
preston of the convention, but of q committee
appointed to revise and republish it The
platform adopted by the convention contained
mittce eliminated. Gov. ST. John i'll his accept
anco heartily endorses the platform, but fails to
say whether it is the one adopted by the con-,
, vcntion 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 to be voted on should have been
more carefully considered and authorihvely
adopted. Especially before requiring them,
as the platform does, to ignore all other ques-
tons Of public interest represented by the re-
publican and democratic parties
Sixth-Bccauso it is unfair to patriotic citi-
zcns 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 not approve; but to sacrifice their
votes on all other questions, however vitality
important to the welfare of tho country
where there is not the slightest prospect of
! SUCCESS
1t is true the republican party declined to
make prohibition all issue in it's platform.
For 1t to have done 80 would have been po-
lltical 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 tho field to the democratic
party. It would have been to turn over the
protection of their rights and the education of
tho freedmen, the preservation and mainte-
nance of all of the wiso and benoticent meas
,lres and the great achievements of the repub-.
lican party to the care, enforcement and pres
orvaton 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
tors, speeches, or acts; for either to do so
would be unwarranted assumption. Some
prohibitionlsts have censured Mr.. Blaine for
not voting on the amendment to the constitu-
ton in Maine. But little reflection will salts
fy every far-mnded person that it would have
been an assumption OF party authority, inme-
dlately after the national convention had de-
clinCtl to akc the question issue.
For Mr. Blaine to havo voted against the
amendment would have been unjust to the pro-
hbtionlsts, and to havo voted for it, I'M just to
those who opposcd--both having joined in
adopting the platform and nominating aim to
stand upon it.
Seventh-Bccause votes by republicans for
st. John are thrown away from the party that
favors ma oritv rule,-a free ballot and fair
count,-a government of the people, by the
people, and for the people, and which permits
a vote OH 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. c. they weaken the party of
fair play; they strengthen the party of I'M
compromising hostility; and they indorse an
unwise and illdisest3d movement that will
greatly embarrass, retard and weaken the
cause of prohibition.
Ninth-Bccauso there not being the slight
est prospect of the election of this o-called
prohibition ticket, the only result of republi-
cans voting for it IN large numbers will be to put
the democratic party i'll control of tho general
government
Teutln-Becarlsc if this is the object, as some
LEADERS, i'll the movement avow it to be, it will
be more honorable and straight forward to vote
John, as this would avoid the odium of prac-
tcing deception upon the friends Of temper
anco 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 indirectly in electng the
democratic ticket. If republicans have allowed
abuses, democrats have always been worse
1t is unreasonable to favor 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
o dark cloud of doubt and uncertainty and q
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 1t would repeal Or what new
The danger and probabilities are thatits acts
would be in accord with its former course,
doctrines and traditions, for it processes to adj
N0TC 10 all OF ltS Juno nOnOrcu DflnClDlGS.'
1t is only safe to Judge of these by its former
acts, and by til known and oft repeated scnti-
lnents of ma iOily of those composing and
of course controlling the party. They are
largely the mon who made and sympathzed
with tho for the overthrow of the govern
meut a caucus of it's members of congress
would be controlled by these men, And thus
they would tako charge of the government
they so recently attempted to destroy.
Would the pensions Of the disabled Union
soldiers and the provisions for their care and
preferments and for their widows and orphans
be safe in such keeping?
Inc party opposed At the creation ro Of the he
safe if intrused to its care9 1t opposed the
establishment of our national banking system.
Would it not alter, cripple or overthrow it?
It has always opposed protective tariffs
Would it not leave our manufacturing, pro
luctlvc, and labor interests without proper
fostering care by its 'revonue reforms?"
1t opposed emancipation, Acknowledgement,
equality before the law, and civil rights for
negro, Would it be likely to maintain and en-
safe guardian and friend to promote the
education and elevation of the negroes which
are 80 important to their welfare and to the
safety and prosperity of tho 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 prohibitionist
Is to be willing to jeopardize all these great in
teress for the purpose of throwing away his
vote on Gov. st. John?
Twelfth-Becausc it is wrong to elect party
to power that ignores its principles and eYades
discussing the policy it intends to pursue, and
attempts to got into power by personal de-
traction OF its opponents Do you propose to
thus aid i'll indoors ng the license Of the press
and the prostitution of tho artists pencils and
orators platforms to the purpose of robbing
men of their good name that iterates and reit-
crates its personal dctraction, misrepresenta-
lions and ISLANDERS as now rosOrted to by the
democratic party through its old and new
leaders, do you favor "clean politics."
Thirtecntll-Botll the nominees for president
and vice. president by the republican party are
competent and VOL thy. Both are high minded
and honorable Christian gentlemen, members
in good stantling-one in tho Congregational,
the other in the Methodist Episcopal church
against whom the poisoned darts of malice
have teen hurled by their political enemies in
vain Both of whom have been in the clear
light Of the public gaze before the country for
twenty years. They have occupied the highest
places in the councils of the nation They have
been honorcl leaders of their party for all that
ong period, enjoying its implicit trust and nm
slsaken confidence in their wisdom, integrity
and faithfulness to public duty.
Observation-Disclosures the nominee Of the
democratic party for president is neither COM
petcnt nor worthy to I'LL the highest and most
responsible office in this great nation.
His gross huptler wllilo dodglng the tariff
question in his lottor accepting the nomination