Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-10-01
PRoHfBITIoN ALLIANCE.
A Letter to the Voters of the State From
the Rev. Merritt Hnlbprd, S. 7. d.


the Rev. Merritt Hulburd, S. T. ID.
Concerning the Non partisan Consti-
tutional Prohibition Alliance, the Rev.
Merritt Hulburd. S. T. D.. the Prasi-
dent, has addressed the following letter
to the voters of the State:
This organization comes before the
people OF this State, not for the pur-
pose Of creating new political party,
nor yet of affiiliating itself with any
that now exist; but rather of allying
itself with all those of all parties who
desire to break ne power OF the saloon
and allow the people of the State to
declare themselves on the subject and
permit the majority in any part or all
OF the State to say, under the new Con-
stitution, whether the institution
which is the occasion OF So much evil,
shall, against that will properly ex-
pressed. be imposed upon them by the
process of law. The ideal of many of
US, OF course is, the prohibition in the
Constitution of the manufacture and
sale OF Intoxicating liquors to be used
as a beverage; but the demand of all
OF US ID, that the principle Of the refer
rendum, or local option, shall be recog-
nized in that instrument which is to
constitute the organic law OF the COM
nonwealth. This principle, SO gener-
ally recognized in other States of the
Union, the courts Of this State. have
uniformly recognized as unconstitu-
tional; and we cannot submit that we
are to have the generations to come
bound hand and feet, TO the extent
that county, or hundred even, may
not he permitted to regulate its inter
nal affairs, and, If a majority so decide
refuse to have saloon licensed therein.
A principle SO essentially American
will, we believe command the support
of majority of our citizens; and
second mass convention has been called
at Dover for Monday next, TO which all
churches, organizations, and people gen.
orally, without regard to denomina-
tional proclivities, party affiliations or
beliefs-only that they sympathize
with the object named-have been in
vited.
While, as above recited, we do not
propose to form d party organization, we
shall probably endorse such men for
the Constitutional Convention as scum
most likely to acceded to this very mod
crate demand: and, if it shall result in
non partisan convention, all good
citizens will probably recognize that as
being desirable; since we do not want
a party constitution, but one of and for
the people. The meeting Of the Gath,
though the call WAS limited and the
time brief was larger than the most
sanguine of us expected, and the de-
liberations we're SO sober and i'm
pressive, the conclusion SO unanimously
reached, and, at the same time, SO
moderate in expression, as 10 give
great encouragement to the friends of
the cause. But, without doubt, the
one called for next MONDAY, notice Of
which has heen sent-for convenience
and because of their position as leaders
OF public opinion in their respective
communicable the clergymen of all
denominations, will be one OF the
largest ever held in the State. Re.
sponses already received indicate the
widespread interest which the SUBJ
ject has even now excited, and it Is
expected that within two weeks centres
will be established in every part OF
the State,
''The contamination is so desirable,
the emergency so great and pressing, |
the opportunity SO imminent and pass
ing, that we confidentially appeal to |
all the citizens of the State to consider |
Il, and rs far as possible be represented |
in some way at Dover next Monday. |
The office and duty indicated in the
subscription to this article was not only |
forced upon the writer against his wish |
and conviction but over his solemn pro.
test and was only accepted when there |
were associated with him more practi-
cal men from every county of the State
and representing different shades OF
nnlifical faith -