St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1885-11-28
Address of the Prohibition Ex-
ecutive Committee of the
state of Louisiana.
. 10 those Of ouy people ,cho think:

10 those of ouY people tCh0 think:
GREETING On the nineteenth day OF
August, 1885, there convened in
Shreveport the first Prohibition Con-
vention, so far as we are aware, ever
held in Louisiana. Its declaration OF
principles and the resolutions adopted
may be summarized as follows:
PreOmbEe.-In view (a) OF the evils
incident to the liquor traffic, (6) of the
growing opposition of our people there
to; and (c) of the necessity of more
efficient organization
ResOIpe1, 1st, That this movement
shall be non partisan and non -sectarl-
an Sd, That its aim shall be the legal
abolition of the liquor traffic in Louis
lana Sd, That State Prohibition Ex-
J. ecutive Committee be appointed, COM
posed of one member from each Con-
gIessional district, and three from the
State at large, whose duty it shall be
TO call meetings, to organize local par
ish or ward committees, to memorial
ize the Legislature TO make certain
changes in the laws relative to the sale
of intoXicants, and genarally to further
the cause of prohibition by every le-
gitimate available means 4th, That a
committee of three on legislation be
appointed by the chairman OF the Ex-
ecutiVe Com mmittee, whose special duty
it shall be to prepare and present TO the
General Assembly petitions for the
passage of such acts as may best pro-
mote the cause 9th, Endorsing a me-
morial prepared by Mrs. Gordaie for
presentation to the Legislature, IN be-
half of temperance education IN the
public schools, and also endorsing the
work of the w. G. T. u, and pledging
4oS = Et1Ii nJSn and
port 9th, Requesting the press OF the
State to lend its aid to the cause, and,
9Th, Authorizing the State Executive
Committee to secure the services of a
public lecturer to visit the various par
ishes and address the people on proh1-
toitiOn.
The Executive Committee is as fol-
dcws
State at Large
Rev. John It. Sawyer, Chairman,
Rev. A. E. p. Albert,
Hon, w. H. Goodale,
First District, Lewis s. Johnstone,
Second DR.. S. VI. Angel,
Third j. i. Gilmore,
Fourth " L. E. Carter,
Fifth Prof. A. C. Calhoun,
Sixth 8 u. S. Widney.
Having been thus and therefore con-
stituted, this Executive Committee have
deemed it best to address this open
letter to the thinking people of Louis
lana, in which we purpose to set forth
as briefly as possible the motives that
actuate us, and the nature of the work
in the prosecution of I, aich we venture
confidently to solicit the active sympa-
thy and aid of the thoughtful Of every
party, race and creed.
To even the most casual observer of
passing events, it is evident that there
has been for several years past an ever
increasing change in public sentiment
upon the liquor question, but it is only
those who stand with finger on the
public pulse who know how radical is
this change, and how rapid is its
growth.
The philanthropist, that he may avail
himself of the growing sentiment to
advance the welfare of humanity tile
statesman, that he may on its swelling
tide float into safer channels the shin of
State, and the politician, actuated per-
haps by personal consideratiOns-these
all, standing alike with finger upon the
pulse OF public sentiment, as the physi-
clan by his patients side, have long
since felt those qnickened heart-beats
that told more plainly than words that
a new life blood was cOursing in the
public veins.
Whether we view the question as one
of philanthropy, of craftsmanship or of
politics, the coming question of import
ance to all classes is the suppression of
the liquor traffic.
Just now. in the agitated, unsettled,
state OF public sentiment, the most pop
ular conclusion has perhaps gone no far
ther than this: Something must be
done, and speedily, to suppress the
evils of the liquor traffic
a year or two hence and out OF this
unrest will crystalline the conviction,
s.The something to be done is the legal
suppression Of the liquor traffic.
'.lS0mething mast be done and speedily
Aye, look at the indictment. Lit is the
cause of four -fouths of all the crimes
committed, nine -tenths of all the pau
pers, and eIeVen-tWelfths Of all the i'd
lots supported at public expense. 1t
more than doubles the taxes alike of
tGhOse who are not engaged in it. 1t
consumes the hard earnings of the poor
and reduces the rich to poverty. 1t is
the foe of religion, of education, OF the |
home, Of society and of health. 1t en-
tails directly and indirectly, each year,
an the United States alone, q waste of
nearly one billion of dollars withdrawn |
dUcing labor of the nation. IL treads |
beneath its relentless heel the hearts of |
the mothers and the hopes of the little |
.Ones. Its alignment is with vice and |
zta attendant evils its direct attend |
.encies and effects are to suppress and |
dwarf all the nObleT impulses of hui
manity, and to stimulate into morbid |
activity the lower and baser passions. |
All this has it ever done and been with /