The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1886-09-01

The report was adopted.
The committee on Resolutions
submitted the following:
As Prohibitionists of the Fourth
Congressional District of West
Virginia, now for the first time in
Convention embled, we an
nounce the following platform of
principles as that upon which we
base our political action.
|. We reverently acknowledge
our dependence upon God, as the
sovereign Ruler and recognize his
law as the infallible standard of
moral rectitude, in political as well
as in private affairs.
2. We proclaim our allegiance to
the Prohibition party, as State
and National organization and we
pledge to it our earnest efforts to
secure its thorough organization
and the adoption Of its principles,
locally, throughout the Stcte and
in the whole country.
3. We regard the liquor traffic as
great social, moral and political
evil, the fruitful source of untold
miseries, the foundation of much
of our political corruption, the
heaviest draft upon our resources,
a clog to enterprise and all real
advancement, a pool which breeds
social disorder and makes jails and
almshouses a necessity, and a bust
ness which deliberately sinks all
moral and political considerations
below its own selfish aims, and
therefore announce as the foun-
dation of our actions touching this
matter the principle of uncom-
promising constitutional and statu-
tory prohibition of the manufacture,
importation, transportation and
sale of intoxicating beverages.
4. We deny the right OF any
government to protect by license or
tax laws the traffic in spirituous OF
malt liquors.
1t is too destructive in its nature
too law-defying in its ways, toe
arrogant and insulting IN its
character.
A government so doing is party
} to the crime, and he who votes tc
sustain such a course is responsible
for its evil consequences. We
} demand the enactment by Con
J gress of stringent prohibitory laws
for the District of Columbia anC
the Territories of the United States
5. We regard the Christian Sab
bath as a boon to humanity, the
saloon as its worst enemy.
And while we strike at its most
persistent enemy we also hold the
institution of the Sabbath too pre-
cious to be sacrificed to the de
mands of secular business or tn,
love of pleasure, and we will en-
deavor by all legitimate means tc
, perpetuate and protect it.
6. We recognize the mutual de
: pendence and common interests o
labor and capital and deplore alike
any unjust impositions on the par
of the one and any lawless measures
, on the part of the other.
And while keeping in view the
necessity of wholesome legislation
for the adjustment of these inter
ests, we believe that the prohibi
ton of the liquor traffic will go fal
toward the removal of the presen'
unrest and dissatisfaction and pre-
pare the way for an easy and salts
factory settlement of existing diff
ficulties.
7. We regard the public official
as a servant rather than a benef
ciary, and hold all such dnder obi
cations to further the public good
rather than private or party inter
ests.
8. We condemn and abhor the
methods usually resorted to, now-a'
days, Oy aspirants for office. They
are debasing in their influence and
tend to the worst species of politi-
cal corruption. Political Conven-
tions of the old parties are so ma
nipulated that instead of declaring
the free and untrammeled will OF
the people supposed to be represen-