St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-10-01

OLATHE, Kan, Sept. &c, 1Ss4.-Hon. Samuel
Dickie, chairman of the committee, etc. My
dear ir:-In finally accepting the nomination
for president rendered to me by the national pro-
hibition convention at Pittsburg, Penna., July
%, 1884, take the opportunity to state, that
while honor was neither sought nor desired by
me, yet it was greatly appreciated, bestowed as
1t was by convention composed OF delegates
who in point or worth and mental ability were
fully equal IL not superior to any political con-
vention that ever assembled in this country.
The war for the nnion is over, rebellion has been
crushed, African slavery abolished, old issues
have passed away, and with them should go old
prejudices and sectional strife. To-day the pro-
ducts of the north and the south float IN friendly
relations in the same channels, and under the
same flag in every section of our country, ac-
knowledging allegiance to the same govern
ment. There never was time
when our people could better afford to, and when
it was more important that they should stop and
think thar now With manufactures shutting
down, banks breaking, merchants failing in
business, securities unsettled, western wheat
selling at the home market for forty cents per
bushel, and hundreds of thousands of industrious
mechanics and laboring men, who are willing TO
work but can get nothing to do, it seems to me
that the time has come for the people, who are
the source of all political power, 10 call halt,
and stop and think, for there must be q reason
for this condition of things. The little lime and
space the old parties can spare after dealing out
full a measure of personal abuse and vilifcaton,
that each seems to think the other merits is
m linly devoted to the discussion of the tariff
question, ignoring all matters that relate to the
moral elevation of the people. l am
of the opinion that the manufacturer
who, by reason of the depressed condition
of business, has been compelled to make an as
signment for the benefit Of his creditors, will
find relief in the agitation Of that question now.
| Nor will the average farmer become very enthu-
siastic over its discussion, with his wheat not
worth much in the bin it cost him TO pro-
duce it. The amount received by the govern
ment for duties on imports is less than $780,
| 000,000 annually. There are about one hundred
and seventy five thousand retail dealers in intox-
| icating liquors in the United States, each of
whom pays to our government S25, in. considera-
/ tion 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 distll-
| ers, brewers and wholesale dealers, we find that
! the interest of the government in the manufac-
| ture and sale OF intoxicating liquors is about
$50, 600 annually. This traffic, sanctioned as
it is by the laws of our country costs the people,
| at low estimate, thousand million dollars per
! year, not to speak of the destroyed homes,
debauched manhood, poverty, heartache, crime
and corruption it produces. This disgraceful
business should be suppressed, and the enormous
sum Of money that under the present system is
worse than thrown away, saved to the people,
aud thus proportion would be given to the in
dustries OF this country that would enable US
successfully to throw our doors open wide to the
! competitor of the world. The Republican and
Democratic parties favor a continuance of the
manufacture and sale Of intoxicating liquors as
beverage, while the Prohibition party demands
that the same shall be forever suppressed. Thus
an issue is presented to the people in which is
| involved the protection OF every home in the
land. II is not mere local issue, either, but it
is Il national as well as q practical question,
| upon which a large and respectable
| body OF citizens-against whose convictions party
discipline is pOwerless-havc decided 10 vote and
they will not be found halting between two opin-
| ions touching this matter, but viii work and
pray and vote against this great evil until It is
! driven from our land neCer to return. The gov
ernment is simply reflex OF the individuals
composing it. II we want an honest, sober gov
ernment we must have an honest, sober people.
! But We eau never have en- honest, sober people
SO long as the government sanctions that which
makes it, citizens dishonest, drunken and cor
rupt The declaration of principles which heart
lily endorse, as set forth in the platform OF the
the Prohibition party, Is entitled to the thought.
full consideration and earnest support OF all
good citizens, without regard to locality or former
political afiliation. Our country needs an
administration that will rise above mere partisan
considerations, aud in the selection of public
officials, make honesty, sobriety. and efficiency,
and not service to party the test II should
be conducted, not in the interest OF any particu-
lar section, party color, but in the inter
est OF the whole people, To accomplish this,
all good citizens should step TO the front and be
counted for the right. This is no time for dodg-
ing. Moral cowardice will never win, and surely
never deserves a victory. Then let US look to
God for his guidance, and fesrlessly and faith
fully do our whole duty, never doubling that he
will take care of the result. Very truly your
friend, JOHN p. ST. JOHN.