The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-18
COATS ACCEPTS.
Letter From the Prohibition
Candidate for Governor.

Boston, Oct. 1.-THE letter of accent
ance Of Albert B. Coats, candidate for
governor Of the prohibition party. was
sent today to f. w Clark, secretary of
the central committee. In it Mr.. Coats
says:
1t Is to be greatly regretted that in a
matter so vital as this all good men and
especially all Christian men have not vet
been able to unite in putting down an
evil which is long come to be recognized
as the most potent hindranoe to the COM
ing Kingdom of God, for which we have
all been taught to pray.
need not at this time, and especially
TO you enter upon any extended discus
sion Of the principles upon which we base
our action as political party, and which
appear with sufficient clearness and CO.
gency IN our state and national platforms.
Inc main grounds of our contention are
today scarcely disputed. The enormities
OF the liquor traffic grow year by wear.
Inc most subservient politician cannot
be wholly blind to the dangers that
threaten society and government in the
misuse of power SO universally granted
to those who are engaged in it. More
ana more it is coming to be seen that
when the
TRAFFIC IS MOST RESTRICTED
the strength of the state, the welfare of
society and the happiness of men are most
secure. With unanimous voice all honest
investigators into the relation of the
trattic to the evils of the body polite de-
clare that it is far and away the most
prolific source of the horrible trinity,
pauperism, insanity and crime. Statistics
reveal that it imposes on the psople finan-
clal burdens that are but little less tnan
rulnous. No one today disputes these
things, and all agree upon the necessity
tons as shall most effeCtually curb its
power for evil.
The church has been slumbering long
6 time 81 is s It not 81 nTw high time to awake
such an awakening are not wanting. Her
voice in her great assemblies Is ever
ringing clearer and truer The various
societies of young people connected with
never before against this most insidious
uNWONTED ACTIVITY PREVAILS
in the numerous temperance societies
IN the land. In some sections the eX-
Gelient service done by the Anti-Saloon
League is an encouraging feature, as is
also the remarkable vigor shown in the
more recent movement in the organiza-
ton in some of our great cities of the
non-partison Prohibition Union Of Chris
tian men, with the splendid watchword,
In the name of Jesus Christ our king.
the saloon must die. And beyond all
these in hopeful significance is the spring
ing up In every quarters of new life and
courage in our own beloved and heroic
party.
A gain of five thousand in our vote this
rail- VIII be more significant of the final
overthrow of the saloon than a ajority
of fifty thousand for either of the old
parties. To us alone has been granted
the honor Of drawing the enemies fire.
The 1iercest thunder-bolts of his wrath
most insane and blasphemous utterances
are evoked at the slightest signs of un-
Wonted activity on our part. His most
piteous appeals for unity among his fel-
lows and for money to prop a falling
cause grows out of his fear of a little
party scarcely reckoned among the polit-
tcal forces of the state but which as a
moral force has more tremendous energy
and even under most unfavorable circuni-
stances has been able to make that power
felt.
NO EMPTY HONOR.
In no sense is it an empty honor. The
absolute certainty of an election if YOU
could offer 1t, would add but little to the
dignity of the position. to which you in
Vite me, and would be~accepted only on
the ground, and in this / believe | voice
the sentiment of all those whose names
will appear with mine on the party
ticket, that from this point of vantage we
could strike more telling blows in behalf
of the sacred cause to which we long
since devoted our lives.