Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-07-27
Candidate For Governor OH the
Prohibition Ticket Formally
Accepts Nomination
HIS THEORY OF PROHIBITION
"Father" Coffin Reviews the Question
at Length and Asserts His Adher-
ence to the Principle of Prohibition
Right of the People to Protection
From Great Evil.
Special to Times Republican.

Special to Times Rep publican.
Fort Dodge, July 27.--'rhe formal
letter of acceptance of the prohibition
nomination for governor by Hon. l.. S.
Coffin, of this city. was made public
today. The letter contains u review Of
Father Coffin's views on the pro-
hibitory question and is in part as fol-
lows: After accepting the nomina-
ton formally, Mr.. Coffin ponders on
| tfe reason for his nomination, declar-
ing that he had never been recognized
as a third party" man and says:
TO my mind there is but one an
swcr to this question. and that is
found in the rapidly rising tide of
high moral sentiment so evident in
Iowa at this particular time; a move
ment so strong. so mighty, that it
threatens to sweep aside all party
| lines"
| Continuing Mr.. Coffin says that be-
leVlng that providence exercises a
guiding influence in the affairs of men
he dares not say nay to the call of
the party that may be Gods instru-
ment in Graduating the greatest evil
with which mankind contends. Con-
tinuing he says:
A political party which is success
Jul at the polls is. for the time being,
dc facto the government. To keep it
the servant of the people, to have it do
Their bidding, 1t must present as can
dictates for office men of deep rooted
integrity who, when clothed with pow
er, Will both enact and enforce such
| laws as Will best protect all, with
special privileges conferred upon none.
NO great crime that has ever af-
| flicted the human race has been able
to Withstand the rising tide of organ
lied morality. In our own nation and
time African slavery has been abolish
ed and our, statute books have been
purged of the laws that recognized and
| protected it, The crime of slavery was
abolished at a cost to this nation Of a
million of her noblest sons and bill-
ion Of treasure, yet human slavery did
not entail upon the race 1.-THE of the
bondage. the degradation and the cost
in life and treasure that has resulted
from the policy of fostering the hid
traffic
During the years that slavery burn
ed like cancer in the morals of the
republic, the shame was that our ma
ton legalized It, greater shame is
| upon us today in the fact that we le-
galize for a price that which worse
than widows wives, worse than or
phans children, which sends more men.
~ Il.
dishonored graves and which by its
iniquity has brought about municipal
government to condition that almost
battles the craftsmanship of the ablest
men in public life And yet millions
drink and die
The people must and shall be pro-
tected from this iniquity.
Il accept the opportunity to stand
as a candidate upon the platform Of
the prohibition party of Iowa, because
l firmly believe that if the principles
therein advocated can be enacted into
law and impartially applied, the people
of this state will be more perfectly and
equitably served than they are at pres
ent.
Speaking for myself and. l trust
voicing the sentiments of those who are
responsible for my candidacy, I would
emphasize the fact that we are not
seeking the spoils of office excepting
as a legitimate means to a most wor-
thy end We are rather in politics to
serve the best interests of our state,
and to redeem it from the foul and
damning curse of the liquor traffic,
which owes its legal existence today
to other political parties This is our
aim, and we propose to stay in politics
until the desired result has been at
tanned. We care nothing for party or
ganization excepting as that organiza-
ton can be hurled as solid phalanx
against this monstrous wrong.
Progress is in the air There is to be
a. mighty uprising of the good citizens
of this state to free themselves from
the slavery Of bossism and political
corruption which has become so
marked and so disgusting.
81 repeat, the challenge has been
issued; our platform is before the peo-
pie of Iowa. 1 will not for one mo-
ment permit myself to so underesti-
mate the patriotism and Christian sin
certify of my fellow citizens in this |
state as to. believe that they will fail
" ISSpOIlu 10 tile enumerated
in that platform and to the spirit which
impels me to stand as a candidate for
the high office of governor. / have
great faith in the people of Iowa; faith
that leads me tc, believe that their
response to our appeal will be indicated
by an unprecedented vote for our tick
ct at the next general election.
again / would emphasize that it is
results we are seeking. We care moth
ing for party or platforms, excepting
as these may be used to serve the
highest and best interests OF the peo,-
pie. Will the conventions of other
parties, soon to be hello, place before
the people platforms more practical or
of higher moral tone than the one
which we have promulgated? ] hope
they will attempt to do SO and should
either of them succeed / pledge my
honor to step upon that better plat
form for the best is what we see!
and that is what we shall insist upci
having. Will they attempt it? Wi
they dare not to do so?
Most respectfully,
L. S. COFFIN.
Ft. Dodge, Iowa, July %, 1906.