Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1895-05-28
It's vitalizing Force Needed in
the Politics of the Day.
Why DIR. Gambrell Left the
Democratic Party Seven
Years Ago.
A Letter Whose Pungent Truth
Time Has Emphasized.
MERIDIAN, Miss, Oct. 10, 1888.

"EhlDlaN, 4uloS., Wv. iOf ioOO.
The following self-explanatory let
ter, written by that great thinker and
exemplary Christian citizen, DIR. j. b.
Gambrell, seven years ago, is entitled
to new and increased emphasis in the
light of what has transpired in the do
main of politics since it was first pen
ned 4:
To Rev. w. c. Black. ID. d., Chairman State
Prohibition Executive Committee.
DEAR SIR:-I hereby tender my res
ignation as member of the Non-par-
tisan State Prohibition Committee, of
which you are Chairman. This L do,
not because / can not conscientiously
work for Prohibition on the non-parti-
san plan, but because can no longer
limit my efforts to that plan, and it
seems best for your COMMITTEE and for
myself that l retire from it.
Regard for the opinion of those with
| whom | have so long labored in the sa-
cred cause of Prohibition moves me to
state some of the reasons for the
course l have adopted.
| 1t is matter of mature conviction
with me that every citizen of this
country is morally bound to inform
himself on public questions, and to
give his influence and vote for the
good of the country. The ballot is a
trust and must be used conscientious
ly. The citizen who will not inform
himself or who will give his influence
and ballot for the promotion of vice or
who will not vote at all, is unworthy
of citizenship. He is bad citizen who
betrays trust, and whose example is
pernicious. The duties of citizenship
are to be discharged, not in partisan
spirit, but with dignity and serious
ness as becomes those who have given
hostages to future generations.
Up to this time, have never cast a
vote except for the regular nominees
of the Democratic party. Four years
ago, to my deep regret the National
Democratic party went openly over to
the saloon by adopting an Anti-Prohi-
bition plank in it's platform, for anti
sumptuary in that platform means
naturalization in the cunning and
misleading language of the saloon. l.
with many others, silently did not vote
then, hoping that this fatal step had
been taken without due consideration,
and that the party would not repeat
the outrage upon morality and public
decency. We have'been disappointed,
for the last National Convention re-
affirmed this covenant with the liquor
traffic, after the widest discussion and
the fullest opportunity for reflection.
1t is bargain for the saloon vote of
New York and other pivotal States and
every man who votes the Democratic
ticket next month ratifies that cove
nant with hell, and enters into fell
lowship with the liquor traffic of Am
erica. AS God lives, cannot and will
not do it. From this time on the Ii
quor traffic must exist, if exist at all,
against my vote and influence.
Four years ago, the Republican par
ty held aloof from the saloon in a
measure to hold the Prohibition vote,
but now following the evil example
of it's rival, they are both on their
knees before the organized liquor traf-
fic, begging for votes.
Thus has it come to pass that the sa-
loon is the arbiter in American poll
tics. Two hundred thousand saloon
lists, mostly foreigners, many of them
unable to fairly speak our language,
ignorant of our institutions, enemies
of our Sabbath are banded together to
control this nation in the interest of
our national vice. And both of the
old parties turning their backs on mil
lions of sons of revolutionary sires
tamely bow to the scepter of the sa-
loon. This is because saloonists stand
solidly together for the saloon, and
moral men divide on all sorts of minor
issues. There is practically no differ
ence between the old parties. After
spending months in Congress, each
party trying to make an issue, there is
only a hair splitting, indefinable diff
ference on the tariff. Both want re-
duction. One is for tariff for revenue
only; the other, tariff for protection.
But the tariff for revenue only will
protect, and the tariff for protection
will raise revenue. 1t is in honest
truth, mainly matter of word jug
glery. The two parties agree each in
wanting the reduction to fall on the
products of that section where the
other is strongest The halls of Con-
gress have been turned into caucus
room and counting house. Statesman
ohAP Las y iO1AOA w VI 0ollSs
The old parties thrust Prohibition
into politics by taking the side of the
saloon. If this forces divisions in the
South, the Democratic leaders must
blame themselves for it. How can
they expect honest men to vote down
their principles under the leadership
of saloonists? If party necessity is
urged, reply, principle and purity
are better than success.
Some have said this is national cam
paign and the national platform does
not concern us. That is not true, it is
emphatically
HOME QUESTION.
We saw it thrust into our local OBJ
ton campaign. The anti-prohibition
plank of the Democratic platform, you
know, was stretched across one of our
streets, and it was in the mouth of ev-
cry saloonist, and saloon advocate.
Prominent Democratic politicians con-
jured with it, and led away the people.
Not only SO, but what was put in the
platform will be put in the admins
tration, if the party is honest, and Pro-
hibitiOnists will find the whole army
of federal Office holders against them.
1t will be an anomaly in politics, if it
is not so. 1t is already mainly so.
The fear of the domination of ig-
norant negroes deters many from do
ing what is plainly right. The way to
prevent that is easy. Let every Pro
hibitionist vote his principles and we
will be in the majority. The intelli-
gent colored people will go with us,
and many Republicans. II any will