West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1884-08-06

remonstrance and petition for the
correction of this abuse of civil
government, is conclusive that the
Republican party is insensible to
or impotent for the redress of those
wrongs, and should no longer be
entrusted with the powers and re-
sponsibilities of government. That
although this party, in its late
National Convention, was silent on
the liquor question, not so were its
candidates, Messrs. Blaine and
Logan. Within the year past Mr..
Blaine has publicly recommended
that the revenue derived from the
liquor traffic shall be distributed
among the States, and Senator
Logan has by bill proposed to devote
these revenues to the support of
schools. Thus both virtually rec
ommend the perpetuation of the
traffic, and that the State and its
citizens shall become partners in
the liquor crime.
The tact that the Democratic
party has, in its national deliver
ance of party policy, arrayed itself
on the side of the drink makers and
sellers by declaring against the
policy of prohibition of such traf-
fic under the false name of sump-
tuary laws. and when in power in
some of the States, iii refusing re-
medal legislation, and inCongress of
refusing to permit the creation of
Board of Inquiry, to investigate
and report upon the effects of this
traffic, proves that the Democratic
party should not be entrusted with
power and place, and that there
can be no greater peril to the ma
ton than the existing competition
of the Republican and Democratic
parties for the liquor vote Expe-
rience shows that any party not
openly opposed to the traffic will
engage in this competition, will
court the favor of the criminal
classes, will barter away public
morals, purity of the ballot, and
every trust and object of good gov
eminent for party success, and pa
triots and good citizens should find
in this practice sufficient cause for
immediate withdrawal from all con-
nection with their party.
That while we favor reforms in
the administration of the govern
ment, the abolition of all sinecures,
useless Offices and officers, the elec-
ton by the people of officers of
government instead of appoint
ment by the President, that compe-
tency, honesty, and sobriety are
essential qualifications for holding
civil office, we oppose the removal
of such persons from mere admin
istrative offices, except SO far
as it may be absolutely necessa-
ry to secure effectiveness to the
vital issues on which the general
administration OF the government
has been entrusted to party.
THAT the collection of revenues
from alcoholic liquors and tobacco
should be abolished, as the vices of
men are not a proper subject for
taxation.
"That revenue for custom duties
should be levied for the support of
government economically admins
tered and when so administered
the fostering of American labor,
manufactures, and industries
should constantly be held in view.
THAT the public land should be
held for homes for the people, and
not for gifts to corporat;onsor to be
held in large bodies for speculation
upon the needs of actual settlers.
"That grateful care and support
should be given to our soldiers and
sailors, their dependent widows
and orphans, disabled in the SER
vice of their country.
THAT we repudiate as una mer-
lean, contrary to, and subversive of,
the principle Of the Declaration of
Independence from which our gov
eminent has grown to be the gov
eminent of 55, 600, 900 of people and
recognized power among nations,
that any person or people shall or
may be excluded from residence or
citizenship with all others who
may desire The benefits which our