The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-06-18

courts the deposits in the savings banks of Maine
as compared with other States the small proper
tion of taxes collected by United States authorl-
ties for the sale of liquors in Maine, the total
destruction of the manufacture OF alcoholic
drinks throughout the State and the vast increase
of sentiment in favor of total abstinence among
generation growing up undebauched by lega1Zed
saloons-all show that Maine may proudly claim
to lead in this reform, and that she is quarter or
century ahead OF states which license TINS
gigantic crime
2. We affirm as patent fact that the contest
Is not over in Maine. Both the Republican and
Democratic parties in the State contain, along
with large but yielding temperance sentiment,
an aggressive rum element. These rumsellers
and their allies aim to defeat any party which will
not allow them for the sake of personal indu-
gence and gain to trample under foot the Consti-
tuition OF the State, the rights of humanity ard
the laws OF God. Along with the yiolators Of the
law is another element composed of citizens who
dy for intemperance. We shall be only too glad
to argue this general question with those who
have the courage OF their conviction before the
bar of public intelligence and conscience. But,
iDasmuch as the prohibition amendment was
adopted by majority OF AZ 900, even such ought
to join us in demanding the impartial enforcement
of the law, and in denouncing as treason to Re-
publican institutions the constant violation of the
amendment while it remains part OF the organic
those who voted for the amendment. Your vote
was an intelligent expression Of your convictions.
You know well that neither of the old parties de-
mands of the officers it asks you to help elect the
impartial enforcement of prohibitory legislation
as party measure. In Portland, Bangor, Bidde,
ford, Lewiston, Bath, Augusta, HalloweH and
other cities and towns of the State, SO FAR from
the impartial enforcement of the law being ad-
hered to from principle, the LAW LAW is en- en-
officer or party exigencies demand. The
conflict cannot subside in this half finished stage
last State convention does not allude TO this ggan
tic conflict: 1t even ADOPTS the National Demo
cratic platform which openly CONDEMNS proni9} }
the Democratic ticket in Maine, this fall, without
proving recreant to his convictions upon this sub
fion takes credit for the Prohibitory victories al
ready achieved in this State But it evidently re
CARDS the partial work thus far accomplished as It's
ultimate effort in behalf Of Prohibition. The Re-
publican party in 1884 pledged itself to so amend
our State laws as to wipe out the last yestiges OF
ment adopted t. imposed this solemn duty upon the
succeeding legislature. But although thousands
of Prohibitonists voted with the party and made
the legislature overwhelmingly Republican. the
party outraged the At 900 majority for Prohihi
tion by not keeping its solemn pledge. The Re
publican party Of 1856 is so fearful Of losing the
liquor elemnt that 1t does not in its last platform
renew the pledge which it failed to fulfill in 1884
1t does not even offer Prohibiti0nists the empty
pledge of an impartial enforcement OF existing
laws Prohibitionists cannot therefore, support
the Republican party in Maine in the coming
election without encoura ging the very compron-
ises they deplore, and becoming to the, extent OF
this political influence responsible for the vaca-
ton in the enforcement of the law and for the Ii
quOr crimes which follow this vacillation.
8. We recognize the fact that our vote cannot
be simply local; its influence extends beyond our
State. But as we look to other commonwealths
we see that God is bringing them too face to face
with this gigantic crime The recent exciting con-
test in Rhode Island over constitutional prohibit
on, the election of the prohibition nominee for at
torney general OF one OF the Southern States, the
vote of 4O, 900 for our candidate for governOrin
Kentucky, the vote of 10000 in New York, the
recent unprecedented prohibition convention in
New Jersey the turning of the election in Oregon
last week upon the temperance issue-all show
that prohibition is the rising problem in our ma
srtaol 80 TfAh hrnn AAr ATfIA n.n1rr
deepens the responsibility of our citizens in the
present campaign. Honest Republicans and
Democrats doubtless think I'M that at.y by Young WITH
sentiment which exists in both. As neither OF the
old parties adopt prohibition as principle so that
it is willing to be defeated through its defence of
that principle, and to triumph only with the
triumph of the principle, as each of them in diff
ferent States adopts a compromising attitude to-
ward this crime, and the license sentiment con-
trolls both parties in the nation, the Prohibitionist
who votes for the national parties becomes
responsible before God for the license OF the
crime
I've recognize other great interests in State
and nation aside from the prohibition OF the liquor
Christian principles to political life. We sympa-
thize with labor in its unequal struggle against
upon either side and demand the application Of
the golden rule to business the only solution Of
the labor problem The first step in uplifting labor
tion of the liquor tranc which diverts at least
$500 0OO0,O year from legitimate industries
more 10 pay for ltS enectS. Inc appucdtlOh OF
Christian principles to politics would secure an
equal voice to all without regard to sex in making
laws which all must obey subject to restrictions
based on yolth or mental or moral Incompetence:
Such an application of Christian principles would
secure civil service reform and the same fidelity
in public or in private trusts, the maintainance of
a sound currency, the disuse of personal ytuper-
alton in political contests, the abolition Of polyg
amy and of the unjust restrictions which are still
legally imposed upon the Indians and Illegally
maintained against the colored people of the
South.
5. We recognize, however, that there can be
but one dominating issue before the people at one
time While therefore freely EXPRESSING g our
iterate our belief that the Providential time has
come for party willing to rise or fall with Pro-
hibition; and we appeal to all who agree with us
election and leave the result with Him in whose
hands are the destinies of nations.
Some little discussion arose as to the
granting authoritity to the chairman of the
committee to amend the wording of the
platform, but finally the motion to grant per-
mission was withdrawn and the convention
adjourned to Up. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session was called to order
by Col. Eustis who stated that DR.. Bashford
and himself had concluded to call the meet
ing to order in the absence Of the chairman.
He then called attention to the need Of
money for the expenses of this convention,
including those of Mr.. st. John, the expenses
of former meeting and a surplus for the
payment of speakers during the campaign
Subscriptions were then called for and re-
ceived as follows, subscriptions unaccom-
panied by the names of the donors, bringing
the total up to S451: