The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1886-10-14

1. We recognize the fact that the
supreme issue before the State and
Nation is the question of what to do
with the liquor traffic. To divert at
tention from the main question, other
subjects may be brought into promi-
nence; but there is no issue that
touches society at so many vital points
as the question Of what to do with
this evil traffic, that desolates our
homes and fills our land with ruin aud
with sorrow. We find great cause for
thanksgiving to God in the progress
of public sentiment for the entire pro-
hibition of the manufacture and sale
Of intoxicating liquors. Men cannot
keep this question in the background
when God is bringing it to the front.
q By the kindness of their Secre-
tary we have received copy OF the
report ON temperance adopted by the
Cincinnati Conference at its recent
session. This report so fully meets
our views that we desire to express
our unanimity of conviction with
them, and with brethren of other con-
ferences on the subject of temperance.
And we rejoice that all the conference
es of our church are of one mind and
heart in their determined purpose to
secure the entire prohibition of this
great crime Of the age.
3. We heartily indorse and approve
the efforts of the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union to secure law
providing for scientific temperance
instruction in our public schools. And
we unite with them in petitioning
the General Assembly to enact such a
righteous law as this, the results of
which will be that the children of the
State will be taught the important
lessons of temperance along with the
very alphabet Of language, thus CIV
ing to temperance instruction its pro-
per place as part of the education
necessary to make good citizens of a
Republic.
4. We express our unqualified con-
demnation of the action Of our Gov
ernment IN opening saloon IN the
Soldiers National Home at Dayton,
Ohio.
5. We are unalterably opposed to
the policy Of regulation, either by IL
cense or taxation. or any other meth
cd that gives legal permission to the
traffic in Intoxicating liquors. And
we reaffirm the position of our church,
declaring total abstinence as the duty
of the individual, and legal prohibition
as the duty Of the State.
6. The Dow law is fair specimen
of that double dealing in legislation
that aims to satisfy temperance men
and not offend the liquor dealer. And
while we would avail ourselves Of the
Council option feature of the law in
the suppression Of the saloon, yet we
| fear that even this feature is nullified
by that section which provides for the
manufacturer agent. And we look
with alarm and adherence upon that
provision which permits prosecution
of the traffic on the Sabbath as All in
suit to the Christian sentiment of the
State and as giving the sanction of
law to the monster evils Of Sabbath
desecration and intemperance.
Z. We regard the liquor curse as
the great enemy Of society, working
ruin to our business interests, blight
ing our bones, demoralizing political
organizations. and dehauching the
very courts to which we appeal for
protection. There is prevalent con-
viction that majority vote was cast
for the prohibition amendment in
! 1888, but that IN the counting of the
vote the will of the people was defeat
ed; and we regard this as the most
stupendous political crime in the his
tory of the State. Nevertheless we
have patiently waited for another OPP
portunity to correct this wrong by ap-
pealing the case again to the people
And we now, both in our own name
and in behalf of the multiplied thou
sands Of Misunderstanding people
whom we represent, demand of the
General Assem- bly, of Ohio. at its next
session, to submit to a vote of the
people an amendment to the constitu-
ton prohibiting forever the manufac-
ture and sale Of intoxicating liquors
to be used as beverage: and we in
sist that such proposed amendment
shall be separately submitted without
being involved with other PROPOSE
tions. We regard this demand as only
asking that which is the genius of a
government ''of the people, by the
the people and for the people" to
grant; simply the right Of sovereign
people by their own votes to decide
this question most vital to the welfare
Of the State.
s. In dealing with this question we
estimate moral suasion at it's full val
ue, but what is morally wrong can
never be politically right, and we rec
ognize the ballot as the decisive force
to which we must appeal. And we
purpose, in the exercise of our inalien-
able rights. to use the power of the
ballot independently of the dictates Of
political parties or the partisan press,
so as not to sanction directly or indi-
rectIy the Infamous liquor traffic by
our votes. We therefore pledge our
selves and call upon our people as free
and independent citizens, conscien-
tiously before God, to vote for such
men and for such measures only as
will most certainly accomplish the en-
tire and immediate suppression of this
conspicuous and colossal crime.
9. We, in common with the uni
versal church, and with all citizens
who love law, order and right, cry out
in Indignation at the malicious mur-
der of our brother in the gospel, Rev.
George c. Haddock, whose only crime
was in the fact that with heroic cour-
age he waged holy war against an
unholy traffic that for selfish gains
destroys the bodies and the souls Of
men, The blood of this devoted mar
tyr to the cause of Prohibition, like
the blood of righteous Abel, calls to
us from the ground demanding in the
name Of God and right that this he
roic death in this holy cause must and
shall be avenged. And no more GER
tainly did God set his mark upon the