Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-07-04
PROHlBlTIONISTS
Continued from Page One.)
The Platform.

ton party IN Maine, In state conNen-
ton assembled. renew their pledges of
fealty to the National Prohibition par
ty, rejoice in its growth in 50 many
states, and look hopefully forward to
the time when it shall not only elect
state officers in Pennsylvania and 9TH
err states, but a Congress and Il Prcsi-
dent recognizing the overthrow of the
liquor traffic as the paramount political
issue.
We are in hearty sympathy with all
temperance work and temperance
workers of whatever name or method
Knowing that all honest, practical
work tends to show the necessity of
political action. and the political union
of all who would destroy the national
license taxation policy OF the Republic
can and Democratic parties, and estab-
lish National Prohibition.
We declare that as local optional
prohibition is weak and largely iEef-
fective, while state laws and state Of
ficials ignore or subordinate the iSSu"
and tolerate, sanction and derive rev.
enue from the evil. 50 state prohibition
IL continually undermined ana made
tranSitory by the authority and power
Of the national government exercised in
maintaining the national license pol
icy.
We declare the liquor traffic to be the
"gigantic crime of crimes, worse tha-I
war. pestilence famine, earthquake and
fire combined; morally, sncia!ly. finan-
ciany and politically the bliShting curse
Of the age: and the political parties
that for revenue purposes hav" sane
toned and fostered this evil until it has
+ grown to its present proportions-haVt
thereby forfeited all claims to and are
unworthy Of the support Of any good
citizen. JL.E ..3a .....
We contend that history and expert
ence have proved that no great natiofa
issue can be adopted by. or forced up
on, party organized on other issue"
whose ldherentS are by personal ha nj
and opinion divided on the question, III
Notwithstanding the fact that IN SOM
states or sections each party has uild'l
local influences taken w the issue IL
"a policy. The hope therefore OF *t"nr
ms national Prohibition through rlthe'
old party is groundless, ami that I"
complete and permanent state lrohihi
ton Doomed to disappointment.
We realize however. that neither
history or logic is sufficient |" move
the masSeS.-that experience ana h'i'
must be joined thereto to work ont =
great reform. We therefore earnestly
urge those who have not seen the iish
Oh felt the conviction to act accord
ing to the light they have with lil
ccn6dence.-that ultimately we shall
see eve to eye, and he in one CRANE
army winning the battle Of the ages
The claim that ProhibitoniStS maK'
devotion to party stronger than to prin
ciple in maintaining n separate partN
organization and voting for its owl
candidates in localities where ho1icS
men in favor of enforcement have peer
by accident or from necessity io1lhat
ed by other parties, is disrruv"d by th'
fact that always and everywhere W.
urge other parties tn nominate ah'
elect such men. knowing that u "onc !
will decrease our vote and retard gu
party growth.
The existence and agitation of tn
Prohibition party in Maine. the eiecti"i
of our beloved Pearson as sheriff
Cumberland county and other cont'hi
poraneOus events, we claim to nav
been the cause of the general awaken
ing since NANTES; in the election Of en-
forcement shcriffS, the increase in Jal
sentences and fines, the toning up o
Republican county and state platforms
the enactment of the Sturgis law ar'
the denomination or Governor C'bp uil
der present conditions.
We heartily commend and homo
Governor Cobb. for the honest, patriot
stand taken in his Decring address. AM
his acts in conformity Herewith.
". fI,n ID l. w.t.
has felt obliged to renominate him, eli
dorse his position in its platform, II
face of the resubmission sentiment. an
we suggest that if it can continue I
resist resubmission and improve tn
machinery for enforcement at the mex
Legislative session. and follow that b.
instructing its delegates To it's nationa
convention two years hence to insist o
the adoption of a Prohibition plank il
the national platform, and that on tn
refusal Of the National convention S
to do. the delegates 20 withdraw an
act with the national Prohibition party
the necessity for continuing; our prrsen
party organZa ton in Maine will disap
pear otherwise the necessity continll"
with full force.
W. regard the questions &c tarlf, rec
iproclty. the expansion Of our foreig
trade and other matters with whicl
congress has to deal. as commercial
and not party issues. that can best b
settled by a non partisan commission
Of experts. and we submit that tho rep
resentatives of a party opposed TO tn
liquor traffic are more likely To adiuS
THESE questions j. the interest Of tn
whole people thai those who sanction
the continuation of that most iniquitou
trust. the liquor combine.
We favor the enfranchisement of wo
men and the restriction of the right o