The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-08-06
ITO THE PEOPLE OF AUGUSTA COUNTY
Il AND THE CITY OF STAUNTON.

Both the Democratic and Republican parties
having promised much and done little in past
years to advance the cause of sobriety, morality
and prosperity, we deem it time to organize Il
County Prohibition Party for the purpose of
holding Convention in the city of stanton,
and placing in nomi nation two candidates for
the Legislature and one for the State Senate
from this county for the November election.
Prohibition proposes to introduce no new
principle into the science of government but
TIL principles that are in constant application
in every municipal and State government in
the Union. We invoke the same principle in
government that would lay its hand, without
raising the question of the personal rights of
the vendor or taste of the consumer, upon
butcher in Staunton who should offer in mar
ket meat that would convey the germs of chol-
era; that would prevent property holder
from building wooden house within the fire
limits; that would suppress Chinese opium
den: that would stop at quarantine vessel
with yellow fever on board, In a word, we in
woke in behalf of the body polite the right of
Self-prOtectiOn from curse in comparison
with which cholera, and yellow fever and fire,
and flood. are calamities of a mild form. To
plead In behalf of the d1reful outrage of the
liquor traffic that is Staying our strong men,
running our boys, breaking the hearts of our
noble women, beggaring childhood, staining
support system of criminal administration
that Is so corrupted to it's very by the liquor
influence as to offer little protection in return
to person or property to plead in behalf of this
monstrosity of our civilization the right of the
liquor-seller to invest his money as he pleases
and of the consumer to drink what he pleases,
regardless Of the consequences to their fellow
citizens, is to strike at the foundation of all
government. ltinvolves the death of the body
politic-the extinction of civilization. What is
government for if not to protect the weak
against the strong; the virtuous against the
viscious? 1t is the custom in some circles to
sneer at Prohibition as the output of a few re-
ligious cranks. Nay. In it's true aspect, 1t is
only incidentally a religious question. AS
question of State policy, it stands side by side
with all measures to suppress murder and
theft. The we'll being of the body polite de-
mands it. 1t is a tidal wave of public opinion.
lifted up by the force of that deeply implanted
instinct of self-preservation in the body polite
that has given impulse to every great revolu-
ton that has marked the progress of mankind.
If 1t IS defeated. by being precipitated prema-
turely as question of State policy, let not its
enemies take comfort. 1t will only gather
strength from defeat as have all real refOrma-
lions. In the light of all history, the question
Is here to stay, and, finally, to triumph
AS the best means of accomplishing this end
and furthering the cause we hereby request
all good citizens of Augusta county and the
city of stanton to send their names or write
their views to r. H. Bell, Secretary "Prohibi-
tion Club of Stanton" or call on either MEM
Der of this Committee, when plan of Organfza-
tion will be fully exposed.
w. w. GIBBS,
ALEX. H. FULTZ
B. A. BLAKEMORE,"
CHAS. A. GLADKE,
CHAS. +. HAINES,