The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-10-11
GOV. ST. JOHN.

His Letter accepting the Prohibition Nomi-
ton for President.
The following is st. Johns letter of accept
ance:
OLATHE, KS, September 26.-Hon. Samuel
Dickie, Chairman of Committee, Etc.-My
Dear Sir: In formally accepting the nomina-
ton for president rendered to me by the ma
tional prohibition convention at Pittsburg,
Pa, July %, 1884, take the opportunity to
state that while the honor was neither sought
nor desired by me, yet it is greatly appre-
ciated, bestowed as it was by convention
composed of delegates who in point of moral
worth and mental ability were fully equal, If
| ever assembled in this country. The war for
| the union is over; the rebellion has been
crushed; African slavery abolished; the old
| issues have passed away. and with them
should go old prejudices and sectional strife.
| To-day the products of the north and south
float in friendly relations in the same channels
and under the same flag, and every section Of
| our country acknowledging allegiance to the
| same government There never was time
when our people could better afford to, and
when 1t was more important that they should,
stop and think than now. With manufac-
tories shutting down, banks breaking, mer-
tied. western wheat selling at the home mar
ket for forty-seven cents per bushel, and hum
dreds of thousands of industrious mechanics
and laboring men who are willing to work but
can get nothing to do, 1t seems to me that the
time has come, for the people are the source
OF all political power, to call halt and stop
and think, for there must be a reason for this
condition Of things. The little time and space
the old parties can spare, after dealing out the
Iull measure of personal abuse and villiaca-
is mainly devoted to discussion of the tariff
question, ignoring all matters that relate to
the moral elevation of the people, am of the
opinion that the manufacturer who, by reason
or depressed condition of business, has been
compelled to make an assignment for the
benefit of his creditors will not find relief in
the agitation of that question now; nor will |
the average farmer become very enthusiastic |
over the discussion, with his wheat not worth |
as much in the bin as it cost him to produce |
It. The amount received by the government |
for duties on imports is less than s2OO,OO0OOO |
annually. There are about 10000 retail |
dealers in intoxicating liquors in the United
states, each of whom pays to our govern
ment S25, in consideration of which sum
tney are permitted to carry on their business
Tor term of twelve months. When we add to
this the amount paid by the distillers, brew
ers and wholesale dealers. we find that the in
terest of the government in the manufacture
ard sale of intoxicating liquors is about $780,
100000 annually. This traffic, sanctioned as it
is by the laws of the country, costs the people,
at low estimate one thousand million dol
,ars per year. not to speak of the destroyed
homes, debauched manhood, poverty, heart
aches, crime and corruption it produces. This
disgraceful business should be suppressed ard
the enormous sum of money that under the
present system is worse than thrown away,
|
would be given to the industries of this coun-
try 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 q beverage, |
while the prohibition party demands that it
snail be forever suppressed. Thus an issue is
presented to the people in which is involved
the protection of every home in the land. 1t :
is not mere local issue, either, but it is ma
tlonal as well as practical question, upon .
which large and respectable body of the CIT ,
lzens-against whose convictions party dis |
cipline is powerless-have decided to VOTE !
and they will not be found hating between
TWO opinions touching this matter, but will
work and pray and vote against this great
evil until IL is driven from our land, never to ,
return: The government is simply reflex of :
the individuals composing it. If we want an :
honest, sober government we must have an
honest, sober people; but we can never have
an honest, sober people so long as the govern
nent sanctions that which makes its citizens .
drunken and corrupt. The decla-
-ation of principles. which heartily endorse,
is set forth in the platform of the prohibition a
party is entitled to the thoughtful consdera- 5
ion and earnest support of all good citizens, h
Without regard to locality or former political g
Initiation. Our country needs an administra- a
nat Will rise above mere partisan considera- 4,
ions and in the selection of public officials d
make honesty, sobriety and efficiency, and h
lot service to party, the test. 1t should be n
conducted, not in the interest OF any particu- h
ar section, party, race or color, but in the in b
crest of tho whole people. To accomplish /,
his all good citizens should promptly step to Z,
he front and be counted for the right. This
no time for lodging. Moral cowardice will
ever win and surely never deserves a victo-
y. Then, let us look to God for His guidance,
=, never doubling that he will take care Of
be result. Very truly, your friend,
JOHN P. ST.. JOHN.
Al.