River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-10-02
AGAINST THE ST. JOHN TICKET.
A Strong Letter from Mrs. J. Ellen
Foster


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 ayowed temperance people to fol-
low Some are urging the support of the st
John ticket while others who look at the sub
ctmore clearly and with more foresight denre-
cate such action as uuwise, 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. +. o. X.
Young, which will be read with great interest
at this time Mrs Foster is known all over
the United States as one of the foremost work
ers in the cause of PROHIBITION and an efficient
officer in the National Womans Christi an Tenn
perance Union. Her advice will be given the
weight to which her successful work for
years in the temperance cause entities 1t The
letter is as follows
BUFFALO. Aug. 81. fSSl-Rev Z. X. Young.
d. D., Des Moines, Ia.-My Dear Friend My
allegiance in public work Is first of all due to
the Womans Christian Temperance Union. l
believe that as a National organization we
should be non partisan in our attitude toward
the political questions of the day, even toward
party prohibition. 1t Is my sincere conviction,
strengthened by personal knowledge of the
work the country over, that the overthrow of the
i0uOr traffic 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, educational eVangellsuc, so
cial and legal These cover every phase OF the
question. and afford the widest scope of the
work of our organization. deprecate greatly
the seeming attempt ON the part OF some OF our
women to allv the National Nomans Christian
Temperance Union with the National ProhibI-
ton party. | believe the larger part of our
membership and of our best advisers deplore
what they consider an unwarranted and an I'M
tenable position.
Having been chosen by the National Union
Superintendent of the Department of Legsls-
tive work and petitions, Unjust keep myself free
from pariisanship As an individual | cannot
and do not smother my convictions. Either
James C. Blaine or Grover Cleveland will be
President OF these United States, as between
them do NOT see now any christian voter can
hesitate Writing as | do from this city of Buff
falo, whore Cleveiands home is-nO, where he
lives-he has no hOme-l do not hesitate 10 saw
as for me ard mine, let il be the true husband,
the honest father, the 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-
ciples The prohibition Of the liquor traffic
is not nv either the letter or the spirit OF the
constitution, the subject of National legislation
It must come by states; II eau come III no other
way unless by an armed resistance to law IN
the states il 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 hy state legislation. SO also Just as
prohibition cannot be carried in the state till a
considerable number of voters in the state are
themselves prohibitianists, SO natural prohibit
ton cannot DO 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 and national prohibition be the rule
of the land II il sometimes argued that the
thirteenth amendment aholishipS slavery III
the States was submitted by Congress before
the States had taken similar State action. but
we remember that at this time there was so
large a majority of ec States that they con
trolled the Government, and carried on a great
and terrible war The question of slavery on
its political side controversy between
States. concerning which the General Govern
ment 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-
plieatIO VI tie truths | have taughtg This is
why I could not if were voter enter the
politicaI field for the nominees Of the Pittshurg
convention honor John 2, st John; he has
my high esteem. my profound respect, and so of
Mr. Daniel OF whom am houored by number
ing among my personal friends. l beileve they
each we're actuated by the high motive of dis
Interested patriotism. 1 simply do not agree
with them as 70 this one method of obtaining
what we all desire.
| do not see how there can be two opinions
as to the duty of Iowa prohihltionists. have
no arithmetic with which TO estimate the men
tai calibre 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
The prohibitionists of Iowa, dwelling IN the
Canaan of triumphant maiOrities, even though
their enemies be not yet all cast out, can hard
Nv appreciate the weaTiness even the bitter
ness. of those still in the wilderness with their