The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1888-08-15
MIX. CROSIER DECLINES.
Gives his reasons frankly; Hearth
~ favOrs the Am endment,
but is not yet . PrOhibl-
biti0n Party. Man.

Dut Is not yet q PrOhibl-
biti0n Party. Man.
HIS Frank and Interesting Letter.
UNION, MoNRoE COUNTY, w. VA.
August 5, 1888.
q. d. Johnson, Chairman Prohibition
State Central Conn.,, Petersburg.
MY DEAR SIR:
Your favor of the End inst, for
mally communicating to me the
fact that was unanimously NOM
mated as one of the candidates for
Judge of the Supreme Court of APP.
peals of West Virginia, by the Pro-
hibition Convention held at Par
kersburg on the 3lst ult., is now
before me. In reply thereto, beg
leave to say that in view of the
eminent moral and intellectual
worth of the gentlemen who COM
posed said Convention, l feel most
highly complimented by this very
unexpected honor. Nevertheless,
for two distinct reasons l am con-
strained to decline to accept it.
First, am comparatively a young
man, consequently wanting in the
requisite experience, and therefore,
for this reason, do not believe N.Y.
self qualified for the office named.
Second, l am not q Prohibition
party man.
have ever been, and am now, a
strict adherent to cardinal demo-
cratic principles, as / understand
them-yet, for the first reason as
signed for this decllnation, would
not accept a nomination for Su-
preme Judgship were it proffered
by a Democratic Convention. 1 am
one of those who believe that there
are sufficient number of accessible
honest and capable men in any of
the Formidable parties to officer this
government and when a nomina-
tion is rendered to an unfit man,
by any political party, he ought to
have the manliness to decline it,
otherwise the people ought to beat
him with fit man at the polls.
By fit man, mean one who is cap
able and in addition thereto, has
the honest moral courage to faith
fully discharge the duties of the
Office regardless of fear, favor or af-
lection. The good principles advo-
Gated by political party 60 for
naught, unless honest and capable
men are put into Office to carry for
ward these principles. If this plan
were universally adopted by all
good men, good laws everywhere
and faithful execution thereof
would be guaranteed.
believe the present occupant of
the Executive Chair of this nation
to be a sound democrat, honest and
capable in every particular, and
one of whom every American Citi-
zen, whether in accord with him
politically or not, can justly feel
proud. l, therefore, can not con.
sent to identify myself with any
political party, however much 1
may esteem it's individual mem bers
and their laudable purposes, whose
votes are not to be cast next No
vember for the reelection OF Grover
Cleveland.
/ believe that the Constitution al
Amendment TO be voted on at our
next election, providing for the
prohibition of the liquor traffic in
this State, is all that any fair mind
ed man could ask for. Under it's
provisions any one can obtain epir-
ituous liquors when it is needed.
What further liberty ought to be
desired? I am uncompromisingly
in favor of the ratification of this
proposed Amendment. l believe
the question to be purely moral
one, and that it is measure for
which every man in the State ire
spective of political sentiments or
party utilization, can afford to vote,
and in time to come will seriously
regret it if he fails to do it. No
one denies that the liquor traffic is
grea. evil. It is acknowledged