Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-06-09
RICHMOND'S RACE.
The Well Known Madison Attorney
to Head the Prohibition
Forces.
He is Named Despite His Known
Wish to the Con-.
trary.

AT P. N. Tuesday the prohibition state
convention was called to order in the as
semby chamber by Chairman Cronk, of
the state central committee. He stated
that it was the desire of the executive
committee that Hon. S. D. Hastings, of
Madison, should be the temporary chair
man and appointed him.
J. E. Clayton, of Milwaukee, was elect
ed secretary, and A. J. Benjamin, of
Whitewater, was elected as his assistant
Prayer was offered by Rev. E. L. Eaton,
of GAINESVILLE.
Temporary Chairman Hastings, among
other things, then said:
LAS look into the intelligent and de.
termined faces before me, am impelled
TO ask In the language OF a somewhat no
torloUs politician at national convention
held In neighboring city a few years
hence, WHAT are we here for?' Not for
the purpose for which he and his confreres
had met, not to secure Office or official pa
| tronage, not for selfish end of cur own.
We are here because we love our
| country and our fellow men,
and the earnest desire of every
heart is that we may be
enabled TO do something to save and to
bless. We know what we are about, we
have counted the cost, and are willing to
assume all the responsibility Of our &C
ton.
Coming thus together for such pur-
pose, with DO selfish end to accomplish,
should we not expect to secure the cor
dial sympathy and earnest prayers not
only Of ali the churches, but Of all good
citizens? Yet the great mass of those
around US regard US as cranks and fanat-
les. But are we fanatical in our estimate
of the real characteristics and result of
the liquor traffic and in the means and
methods we propose for It's suppression
An independent party was our last re.
source, and we did not organize one until
the stern logic of events forced US into it.
Many Of us know what was involved in
the organization of new party in favor
OF an unpopular reform.
Liquor is sustained and upheld by
| law. 1t can only be reached by the law
making power and there is but one proper
way to deal with it, and that is to treat it
as We deal with all other great crimes
prohibit and suppress it. All forms of
license and regulations have been tried,
and they have all proved absolute failures.
The two great pojltica. parties of the day
absolutely refuse to entertain the only
remedy that can possibly avail. Hopes
had been entertained that peoples party
would take up the reform, but they had
been disappointed.
There Is no doubt in my mind that at
the presidential election in 1896 the great
majority Of those who are now working
IL the prohibition and in the people s
party will be standing side by side, one
and the same organic alton.
This, then, is the situation in which
we find ourselves as we assemble in con-
ven ion today.
During the twenty years that have
| elapsed since cur national party was or
gained this great evil has gone on in
creaslng IN power and mallgnity. We
must rally to destroy all these parties
and the union of all the opponents OF the
saloon In d new party. We must not be
| disappointed because more do not openly
| JON our ranks
But We must rememotr that the
darkest hour is just before morning' In
the y FAT and STIRRING events of coming
years the prohibition party has most no.
| portant mission 10 fulfill. Let us not fall
| ter il our great work Let Us grid On our
armor anew, stand firm, girt ourselves like
men and in Gods own good name, He
| Viii give Us the victory