The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-10-02
AGAINST THE ST. JOHN TICKET.
A 6trons Letter from Mrs. ]. Ellen
Poster

Poster
There are hundreds Of letters being written
to those who have been prominently identi-
fed with the prohibition cause in Iowa and
other States, asking what course is the wisest
and best for avowed temperance people to fol-
low. Some are urging the support of the St
John ticket, while others who look at the sub-
jectmore clearly and with more foresight, depre-
cate such action as unwise, untimely, and sure
to be unfortunate for the cause Of temperance
We are permitted to print below private letter
from Mrs. J. Ellen Foster to Rev. Dr. E 0. X.
Young, which will he read with great interest
at this time. Mrs Foster is known all over
ers in the cause of prohebitOn and an efficient
officer in the National Woman's Christi IN Tenn
perance Union. Her advice will be given the
weight to which her successful work for
years in the temperance cause entities it. The
letter is as follows:
BUFFALO, Aug. ~, 1SS4.-Rev. E. K Young,
D. D., Des Mones, la.-My Dear Friend: Ny
allegiance in public work is first OF all due to
the WOman's Christian Temperance Union.
believe that as a National organization We
should he non-partisan in our attitude toward
the political questions of the day, even toward
party prohibition. It il my sincere conviction,
strengthened by personal knowledge of the
work the country over that the overthrow of tho
liquor traffi will be soonest accomplished if
our organizations Withholding party effort and
give themselves wholly to the regular lines of
temperance work which have been developed by
Gods providence during the ten years since
the crusade. We have some twenty five distinct
departments of work under the general divi-
siOns, preventive, educauonal, evangelistic, go
cial and legal These cover evory phase of the
question, and afford tho widest scope of the
work of our organization. deprecate greatly
the seeming attempt on the part of some of our
women to ally the National Womans Christian
Temperance Union with the National Prohib-
ton party. l believe the larger part of our
membership and of our best advisers deplore
what they consider all unwarranted and an I'M
tenable position.
Having been chosef, by the National Union
Superintendent of the Department of Legisla-
vowork and petitions Unjust keep myself free
from partisanship. As an individual cannot
and do not smother my convictions. Either
James q. Blaine or Grover Cleveland will be
President of these United States, as between
them l do notsc how any christian voter can
hesitate Writing as do from this city of Buff
falo, where Cl"veands home is-no, where he
lives-he has no home-I do not hesitate to saw
as for me ard niue, let it be the true husband,
the honest father, tho home man-James G.
Blaine.
Further than this, do not believe the de-
mand for National Constitutional prohibition
is the 'best endorsement of prohibition prin-
is not, by either tho letter or the spirit of the
constitution, the subject of National legislation.
1t must come by states; it can como in no other
way, unless by an armed resistance to law in
the states it should become necessary for the
general government as a war measure TO aid
the states by military intervention. Peaceable
revolution according to constitutional methods
must come by state legislation. SO also justas
prohibition caunot be carried in the state till
considerable number of voters in the state are
l. ok1,n1 rot,S
ton cannot be 4 practical issue, until consid
cradle number Of States are prohibition States.
When three quarters of the States agree the
constitution of the United States may be
amended ard nationa! prohibition be tho rule
Of thu land 1t is sometimes argued that the
thirteenth amendment abolishinS slavery in
the States was submitted by Congress before
the States had taken similar State action, but
we remember that at this time there was 80
large majority Of &c States that they con-
trollcd the Government, and carried on great
and terrible war; Tho question of slavery on
its political side was controversy between
States concerning which the General Govern
mont and National legislation was the only
Court of Appeal. The prohibition Of the liquor
traffic is not question between States, but
between the people of State, and National
political action is not at this time the proper
court in which to try this cause
have Taught this doctrine from ocean to
ocean; could now fail to stand for the ap-
plicatlon of the truths I have taught? This is
why I could not if 1 wero voter enter the
political field for the nominees of the Pittsburg
convention. honor John P. St John; he has
my high esteem, my profound respect, and so of
Mr.. Daniel Of whom am honored by number
ing among my personal friends. believe they
each We're actuated by the high motive of dis
interested patriotism. I simply do not agree
with them as to this one method of obtaining
what we all desire. -.
I do not see how there can be two opinions
as to tho duty of Iowa pr9hibitionists. have
tai caIibre or the moral sense of any Iowa man
who claims to be for temperance and does not
stand by the republican party, with the rights
and privileges conferred by the bad mans
plank 80. : Fe....
The prohibitonists of Iowa, dwelling in the
Canaan of triumphant majorities, even though
their enemies be not yet all cast out can hard
ly appreciate the WEAKNESS, even the bitter
ness. Of those still in the wilderness with their