St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-10-09

there must be a reason for this condl-
tion of things. The little time and
space the old parties can spare, after
dealing out the full measure of person
al abuse and utilization that each
seems to think the other merits, is
mainly devoted to the 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 of the
depressed condition of business, has
been compelled to make an assign
ment for the benefit of his creditors
will not find relief in the agitation of
that question, nor will the average
farmer become enthusiastic over its
discussion with his wheat not worth so
much in the bin as it cost him to pro-
duce it. The amount received by the
government for duties on imports is
less than 5000, 900, 000 annually. There
are about 5000 retail dealers in
Intoxicating liquors in the United
States, each of whom pays our govern
ment S25, in consideration of which he
is permitted to carry on. his business
for term of twelve months. When
we add to this the amount paid by dis
! tillers, brewers and wholesale dealers,
we find that the interest of the govern
ment in the manufacture and sale oil
Intoxicating liquors is about $50, 1000,
! 900 annually. This traffic, sanctioned
as it is by the laws of our country, costs
/ the people at low estimate of 81 900
O00,000 year, not to speak of the
/ DESTROYED homes, debauched manhood
poverty, heartache, crime and corrup-
ton it produces. This disgracefu'
business should be suppressed, and the
enormous sum of money that, under
the present system, is worse than
thrown away, saved to the people, and
thus a protection would be given tC
the industries of this country that
would enable us successfully to throw
our doors open wide to the competi
ton of the world. The republican anC
democratic parties favor the contin
uance of the manufacture and sale o
Intoxicating liquors as Il beverage
while the prohibition party demands
that the same shall be forever sup
pressed. Thus an issue is presented
to the people in which is involved tn,
protection of every home in the land
1t is not mere local issue, either, bu
it is Il national, as well as n practica
spectacle body of citizens, agains
whose conviction party discipline i
powerless. have decided to vote, an'
they will not he found halting between
the two opinions touching this matter
but will work and pray and vote agains
this great evil until it is driven from
our land, never to return. The gov
eminent is simply n reflex of the i'll
dividuals composing it. We want al
honest, sober people, but we can new
er have an honest, sober people so lon
as the government sanctions tina
which makes its citizens dishonest
drunken and corrupt. The declara
ton of principles which | heartily in
dorse. as set forth in the platform {
, the prohibition party, is entitled to tn
; thoughtful consideration and earnes
support of all good citizens, withou
: regard to locality or former politics
utilization. Our country needs an nd
, ministration that will rise above mer
partisan consideration, and in the st
: lection of public officials make honesty
: sobriety and efficiency, and not servic
! to party, the test"