The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1888-01-11

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the issue drawn by the Prohibition
party. The issue drawn by the
Prohibition Party is two fold.
First. Neither the Democratic nor
Republican party has a right to ex-
list, because they represent no prin-
ciples, are hopelessly divided on all
public questions, are incapable of
legislating in the interests of the
Whole People, and are therefore
unworthy the support of the oiti-
zen. Ergo-A New Party of the
People is an immediate necessity.
Second: The most important de-
mand of the day is National and
State Prohibition of the Liquor
Traffic, not only in Constitution
and Statute, but in absolute Deed,
rigidly enforced. The liquor inter
est is so powerful, so rebellious, SO
wicked, that only political ma
joIity controlling the legislative
and executive offices in State and
Nation can possibly succeed in
breaking the power, and enforcing
Prohibition laws. Such a party
will combine the pure, the in telli-
gent, the patriotic, against the vi
cious, the ignorant, the corrupt; will
reunite a divided North and South /;
will protect the ballot of Northern
whites and Southern blacks by
breaking both the Color line and
the whisky shackles; will relieve
Labor and Capital from the tolls
Of partisan INSTRUMENTATION ;
will protect every Home, will de-
stroy every Saloon. Ergo LIST; The
Prohibition Party must be sup
ported till it wins. Ergo End; The
Pro hibition Party is the Party
whose necessity is claimed in first
proposition.
Here is the rock upon which
we split from the Republican and
Democratic parties. We cannot
vote for their candidates maintain
our issue. Therefore, we will con-
tinue to nominate and support our
candidates until enough come to our
way of thinking to give us the
victory.
At the same time, any man may
vote for or against the Amendment
and still be a good Republican or
Democrat, and Prohibitionists cor
daily invite mem ers of all parties,
as individual voters, not as parti-
sans, to join US in voting for the
non-partisan "People's Measure"
No Deal Possible or Desirable.
Thirdly: Even if these objections
we're out of the way, no such deal
would be possible. Why? Be-
cause the dealers "can't deliver the
goods" Were the Prohibitionists
to withdraw and vote for the candi-
dates of the cd parties, such a
course would not win the support
of six leaders or " whippers-in" OF
the old parties in the entire State,
and however much our clerical and
lay sympathizers might desire it,
they would have no more power TO
vote their old party allies than
they have now.
Fourthly: Conceding the posi-
bility and honesty of the proposed
deal, our last objection is, 1T
WOULDN'T PAY.
In all the history Of the Amend
ment, it's active working friends
have been, almost to a man, those
who are now Prohibition party men.
While some country newspapers
advocated submission, and " indi.
viduaI" Republicans and Demo
Gratis have talked, and talked, and
are still talking, none will deny
that those who spent time, money,
health, almost life, in the effort to
push this Peoples measure !"
; through an unwilling Legislature,
are Prohibition Party men and wo-
men. (God bless them.)
The adoption of the Amendment
will require vigorous work and a
, liberal expenditure of money.
With a very few honorable excep.
tions all who have thus far proved
a willingness to contribute the
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