Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-10-01
ST. JOHNS ACCEPTANCE.
PROHIBITION DECLARED I
NATIONAL ISSUE.

King AlcOhoIs Detronement the Aim
Which the Voters or the Present Cam
psisn should Have in View-The
National License System shown to be
an Improbable Investment for the
People
CHICAGO, Sept. 3O.-The Secretary Of
the National Prohibition party furnishes
the following letter of acceptance from
Gov. st. John, the candidate of that party
for President of the United States:
OLATHE. KAN. sept. 26.
Roa. Samuel Dickie, Chairsadr oTfhe fo1,19if
tee, ETC.:
My DEAR SIR-In formally acceptiuc the
nomination for President rendered me nv ne
National Prohibition party at PIttsburg, Pa
July q, 1884, | take the opportunity to state
while the honor was neither sought nor de-
sired py me. yet II Is greatly appreciated, be-
stOWeO as II was by convention composed of
delegates who in point of real worth and men
tai ability were fully equal, if not superior to
those OF any political convention that ever
assembled in this country. The war for the
Union Is over, the rebellion has been
crushed, African slavery has been abOl-
ished, old issues have passed away, and
with them should go old preiudces
ana sectional strife. To day the products
OF the North and South float in friendly reIa
tons In the same channels under the same
nag every section OF our country acknow-
leuging allegiance to the same government
There never was a time when our people
could better afford and when il was more i'm
pOrtant that they should stop and think than
now. with manufaciories shutting down,
banks breaking, mere hants failing in busi-
ness, securities unsettled. Western wheat
selling al the home marx ct for 40 cents per
bushel, and hundred of thous ands OF industrious
mechanics and laboring mca who are willing
TO work, but can get nothing TO do. il 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
reason IF
little time and space the old parties can snare
after dealing out the fun measure of Der-
sonal abuse and villficatiop that each seems
TO think the other merits, is mainly devoted
to discussion of the question of the tariff.
Ignoring all matters that relate to the moral
elevation of the people.
THE PRESENT DEPRESSION.
am of the opinion that the manufacturer
who, by reason of the depressed condition of
business. has been compelled to make an as
slgnment for the benefit of his creditor. will
not find relief in agitation of that question
now, nor will the average farmer become en-
thusastic over its discussion while his wheat
Is not worth so much in the bln as it cost hun
to produce it. The amount received bv the
government for duties on imports is less than
S2UU,UOO,cO0 annually. There are about 10000 |
retail dealers IN intoxicating LIQUORS in
the United States, each of whom paws to |
the government S25, 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 dis |
tlllers, brewers and wholesale dealers we find |
that the interest of the government in the |
manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors |
is about $S0,000,000 annually. This traffic. |
sanctioned as it is by the laws of our country |
costs the people at the lowest estimate $l,OOO,-
O0o,OO0 year, not to speak of the DESTROYED |
homes, debauched manhood, poverty, heart |
ache, crime and corruption it produces
This dlsgracefuibusinesss should be suppress
ed 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 the country that |
would enable us successfully to throw our
doors open wide to the competition of the |
world. The Republican and Democratic par
ties favor continuance of the manufacture
and sale of Intoxicating liquors as a beverage,
while the Prohibition party demands that the |
same shall be forever suppressed, Thus an
issue Is presented to the people in which is in
volyed the protection Of every home in the
land.
NOT A LOCAL ISSUE.
1t is not mere local issue either, but it is
national as well az practical question. upon
which large and respectable body of citi-
Zens, against whose convictions party disci- |
pllne Is powerless, have decided to vote, and
they will not be found hating between two
opinions touching that matter, but will work |
and pray and vote against this great evil un-
tl 1t Is driven from our land never to return.
Ihe government Is simply reflection of the |
individuals composing it. We want an hon
est, sober people, but we can never have an |
honest, sober people so long as the government
0"hSblOh0 tilNb NAlNil liukCS ibo GlllZcDB Ofunk-
en- and corrupt. The declaration of princi-
ples which heartily indOrse, as set forth in
the platform OF the Prohibition party, is en-
titled to the thoughtful consideration and
earnest support of all good citizens,
without regard to locality or
former political allliatOn. Our
country needs an administration that VIII
rise above partisan considerations, and in the
selection of public officials make honesty, So
briefly and efficiency and not service to party
the test 1t should be conducted not in the
interest of any particular section party, race
or color. but in the interest of the whole peo-
pie. To accomplish this all good citizens
should promptly step to the front and be
counted for the right. This is no time for de-
lay. Moral cOwardice will never win, and
surely never deserves victory. Then let us
look to God for his guidance and fearlessly
and faithfully do our duty. never doubling
that he will take care OF the results. Very
truly your friend, JOHN p. ST. JOHN,