Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-05
ST. JOHN AND PROHIBITION.

To the Editor Of the Daily Eagle:
Since the recent election it seems to be
quite popular with certain papers. and Re
publican prohibitionists to abuse John I.
ST. John. 1t seems to me that Republicans
in this state are inconsistent in their abuse
of the ex-governor while they claim credit
for the Republican party becadse it gave us
prohibition in Kansas. If thefe has been
any good accomplished in this state by con-
stitutional prohibition for which the Re-
publican party is entitled to receive credit,
it seems to me that Governor St. John
more than any other individual, has been
instrumental in bringing about that good
and should be honored accordingly. lfthe
Republican party of Kansas deserves the
respect of mankind for ENGRAVING
prohibition in the constitution and
laws of this state, John +. st.
St. John should not be ANONYMOUSLY
hanged and burned in effigy for his ineffect-
ual attempt to engraft the same principle in
the constitution and laws of the general gov
eminent. Now let us be honest and admit
this. Let US not make a personal fight
against one of our fellow-citizens Of Kansas
for his advocacy of principle that the peo-
pie of this state have said is right do not
believe in prohibition, but have never doubt
ed the honesty of St. John in his advocacy
of that question. The writer remembers de-
nouncing prohibition as dangerous doc
trine in presence Of Gov. St. John and
Hon. John Kelley, prior to St. Johns NOM
nation for the governorship, and he is not
likely soon to forget the earnest determine
ton of Gov. ST. John when he rose to his
feet, ard with uplfted hand said: 81 do not
try to conceal my views on any question
and tell you l believe in prohibition and
intend to stand or fall on that issue" l can
soc that he may have been honest in the
course that he has taken, and still be in the
wrong. The course pursued by St. John
and his followers has only had the effect of
defeating the best party that ever existed.
All who look with pride upon the achieve
ments of the Republican party, its splendid
record in the cause of liberty, will wonder
why any set of men who claim to have the
good of humanity at heart should sacrifice
it in the interest of movement which has
for its object the abridgement of personal
liberty. But above all the Republican party
can afford to be just to individ-
uals and to parties. 1t does not
become the grand old party that in its first
great political contest inscribed upon its
banners, Free men; free press; free speech
and free territory to burn men in efigy for
opinions sake" 1t seems to me that the
prohibitionists in this state who abuse the
ex-governor are not CONSTANT l cannot
understand by what logic one considers pro-
hibition in Kansas a grand principle. but
when applied to the nation becomes infam-
Gus. If Kansas prohibitionist is patriot
a national prohibitionist is not a traitor. If
prohibition is wrong the Republican party
does not deserve credit for adopting it in
Kansas; if prohibition is right st. John
should not be hanged for advocating it for
the nation. Oh consistency; you are
sinner.
Because the Christian religion was right
the apostles did right to preach it, and if
prohibition is right its chief apostle, John
p. st. John, should not be burned in effigy
for preaching it. 1t makes me tired TO hear
Kansas prohbitionists and Kansas anti-pro-
hibitionists who voted for John A. Martin
on prohibition platform, unite in abusing
st. John. The people all seem to thiuk that
by coming out in the open field and fighting
for prohibition, st. John has ruined the
cause, and cite the victory in Kansas to
prove it. If prohibition is ever trium-
plant in this nation, it will be
achieved by the open field fight Of St. John
and not by the ''possum" policy Of Kansas.
Whether for or against prohibition, every
Republican in this land ought to denounce
any attempt to punish a citizen of these
United States for advocating his principles,
even if In New York and II loses us the presi-
dency. The Republican party can better
afferd to give up the presidency than to give
up free speech.
FARMER DOLITTLE.