The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-10-09
ST. JOHN ACCEPTS.
He Regards Prohibition az .
More important Issue than
the Tariff.
Honest and Sober Government Imp0s.
slble Under Existing Con.
ditiOns.

OLATHE, Kan, Sept26.
The Hon. Samuel Dickie. Chairman Of Com
NY DEAR SIR: In formally accepting tbs
nomination for President rendered mo by the
National Prohibition Convention Ut Pttsburg,
Pa July take the TO stse
sired by me. vet II is greatly appreciated, PC
slowed AZ II was by convention composed OF
delegates who, u roint Of moral e worth .lsns ana
to any politi. al convention that ever assem- bicd
In this country. The war for tho Union fs over;
the descllion has @ been crushed: African % slavery
with them shonld 60 old .prejudiccs and sec
tional strife To-day the products Of the
North and the South hoat IN friendly
the same flag, every section OF onr country
acknowledging allegiance TO the same Govern
ment. There never was time when our peo-
pie could better afford to, and when II was
more important that they should, stop and
think, than now With manufactures shutting
down, banks breaking. merchants failing IN
business, securities unsettled. Western wheat
selling At the homo market for 10 cents per
hushel. and hundreds of thousands OF indus
trtous mechanics and laboring men who are
willing to work but can get nothing TO do, ~
seems to me that the time has come for the peo-
pie. who are the source Of all political power.
to call 4 halt, and stop and think. for there
The little time and space tho old parties can
spare after dealing out the full measure OF per-
s0nal abuse and vilihcation that each seems TO
discussion Of the tarin question, ignoring al
matters that relate to the moral elevation OF the
people. ] am Of the opinion that the manu-
factnrer who, by reason Of the depressed con-
dition uf business. has been compelled TO make
an assignment for the benefit of hts creditors,
will not find relief In the agitation OF that ques
very enthusiastic over It's discussion, with his
wheat not worth as much in the bin as II cost
him to produce 1t.
The amount received by the Government for
duties on imports Is less than Saoo. 900, 900 an
nually.
There are about 1850 retail dealers in intox-
tcating liquors In the United States. each OF
whom pays to our Government s25, in considcra-
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 distill-
ers, brewers. and wholesale liquor dealors. we
hnd that the interest OF the Government IN the
manufacture and sale of Intoxicating liquors ID
about $50. .nn0,O 900 annually.
This traffic, sanctioned az It is by the laws OF
our country. costs the people at low cstimates
thousand million dollars a year. not to speak
Of the DESTROYED homes, debauchcd manhood,
poverty, heartache. crime, and corruption II
produces.
This disgracefui business should be sup
pressed. and the enormous sum Of money that
under the present system is thrown away.
saved to the people, and thus protection
would be given to the industries OF this coun-
try that would enable us successfully to throw
our doors vide open to the competition OF tho
world.
continuance OF tho manufacture and sale OF
intoxicating liquors as q beverage, while the
Prohibition party demands that the same shall
be forever suppressed Thus an issue Is pre-
sentcd 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 national, ~
well As q practical question, upon which large
AMI respectable body OF citizens-against whose
convictions party discipline Ia powcrless-havo
decided to vote, and they will not be found halt
ing between two opinions in this matter, but
will work and pray and vote against this great
evil until II 10 driven from our land, never to re-
turn.
The Government IL simply the reflex Of tho
individuals composing IT, Ii we want an hon.
est sober Government we must have an honest.
sober people. But We can never have An honest.
sober people 80 long a. the Government sane
tions that which makes its citizens dishonest,
drunken. and corrupt
The declaration OF principles, which hearth
" indorse, as set forth in the platform OF tho
Prohibition party, h entitled to the thoughtful
consideration and earnest support OF all good
political affiliation Our country needs an ad-
minstration that will rise above mere partisan
considerations, and in the selection OF public
officials make honesty, sobfiety. and efficiency,
and not sery ice to party the test. IL should De
conducted. not III the interest Of any particular
section, party. race, color, but in the interest
of the whole people. To accomplish this all
good citizens should promptly step to the front
and he counted tor the right. This ts no time
for dodging. Moral cowardice will never win,
and surely never deserve q victory
Then let US look to God for His guidance, and
fearlessly and faithfully do our whole duty
never doubling that He will take care Of the re-
JOHN r. ST. JOHN