Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-08-18
WHY 4 PROHIBIrroS PARrY.


WHY APPROPRIATION PARTY.
EDITOR TRANscRIPT:-Althou the
is good Republican news
paper, yet on an account of Its well
known temperance principles. and its
fairness on all public questions, l take
the liberty to ask space to give a few of
the reasons for third or Prohibition
party. There is a cause for everything,
and it is often asked what cause Is there
for forming new National party, when
such action will menace the very FIFE of
the grand old party of Lincoln aud
Liberty. The Good Book says: BE
ready to give to every man a reason for
the hope that is in YOU" Every intelli-
gent man should be able to give a reason
for his political as we'll as his religious
faith. I will leave Democrats and Re-
publicans to formulate their own con.
fession, and will briefly give the cause
that called into activity the new party.
In the first place, it is a well known
fact that the Democratic party. for many
years. have had plank in their National
platform declaring against all "sump.
tusry laws,"-their name for Prohibitery
laws. That they are true to their faith,
no one denies. That is sufficient reason
why q Prohibitionist cannot consis-
tently vote that ticket.
1t is also a we'll known fact, that in
the National Republican Convention of
1872, at the instance of Raster, q Ger
man brewer. the following ambiguous
plank WAS inserted: The Republican
party disapproves Of resort to unconsti-
tutional laws for the purpose of remov-
ing evils, by interference with rights not
surrendered by the people to either the
State or National Government"
This, 1t is we'll known, was meant to
cover the same ground as the 'sump-
tuary" plank in the Democratic platform.
1t meant that neither state nor nation
had any right to suppress evils by Pro-
hibltory legislation. Raster himself said
that it meant free beer and free Sun
day. In 1882, the Republican Conven-
ton for Cook county. ILL.,. the county in
which Chicago is, adopted the following
platform:
1. Laws are not binding on the peo-
pie when they come in conflict with their
consclences. their appetites, or their bust
ness.
2. A majority of the people cannot
determine what the attitude of this
state shall be toward social evils, and
should be refused the privilege of vot-
ing on any question which relates to the
adoption of sumptuary laws.
8. The Republican party j. opposed
to any recognition of the Sabbath day.
4. Republican senators aud repscnra-
tives are instructed to deny the right OF
petition, and permit the people to pass
upon a great question that vitality affects
the standing, the neutrality, and the
safety of the state.
1t is a we'll known fact tbaH tie Repub
llcan party is true to these doctrines, fol
in almost all the Northern States since
1872 they have refused to allow the PEG
pie to vote on Constitutional Prohibi
tory Amendment. l need not reminC
| reading men of the action of the party
last winter in New York, Massachusetts
and other states, where Republican legis.
lation have refused to allow the peopl'
to vote on this question. In New York
three successive Republican legislature
have voted down submission. IN the fac
of public pledge IN the state platform
to submit this question to the people
And in the face of these facts, have tn
assurance to ask, what need is there 0
third party?
One more reason, and am throug
for this time. In 1884, the Prohibi
tionists had decided to hold q Nationa
Convention and nominate a Presiden
Of the U. s. The Convention was set TO
May %. Many good men, who ha'
almost lost hope Of accomplishing an
thing through the Republic en- party
and yet were loath to leave it, met te
gether and said, let US try the old part
once more, and if it will give the prime
pie of Prohibition any recognition W
will disband the third party. So the Pre-
hibition Convention was postponed tw
months until July %, for the purpos
of once more trying the old party. TIL
Republican Convention met in Chicag<
in June, 1884, to nominate Blaine. Frar
ces E. Willard, supported by Senate
Blair Of N. H., waited on that Conver
ton, in the name of tho Christian Ten
perance people of America, and aske
not that the Republican party declare fc
Prohibition; no, but modestlv asked tbs
simple plank be inserted, declaring 4
Republican doctrine. that the people {
each state be allowed to settle the l,quc
question by vote of the majority. An
the grand old party of liberty and equalit
dismissed Miss Willard and her reque.
with contemptuous sneer. The mel
morning. when the daily papers announce
the result, thousands of good men aros
in their Indignation and said, good by
the Republican party forever. The resu
was the Convention was called In July
and St. John was nominated, and th
third party became a neeessity and ia
in American politics.
The same Republican Convention tbs
insnlted Francca T.. Willard and throup