The national prohibitionist. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-26

Mr.. POSTMASTER Il may not hope to add any
thing of value in the discussion of the beloved
emblem to that which is here quoted on the pro-
gram from the political classic of Abraham Lin
coln-Let us "here highly yesolOe that this nation
under God, shall haze a me7v birth of freedom,
and that government of the people, by the beo-
pie, and for the people, shall not perish from the
EARTH"
1t was that high resolve and patriotic purpose
that called the Prohibition party into existence.
1t is upon the inspiration of that ideal that it
thrives and grows.
That the alcoholic liquor traffic fastens upon the
nation financial burden equal to the value of
the product of wheat, barley, rye, buckwheat
potatoes, gold silver and precious stones to
which may be added the cost of the maintain
ence of our public schools, the army and the
navy, and all the dividends of railroads and
national banks, and the annual interest
national debt, is sufficient occasion for the ex-
istence of party opposed to the robber traffic.
No other political party since the signing of the
Declaration of Independence, has presented to the
citizens a financial question of such stupendous
moment. The financial mares nests which dis
tress the dominant political organizations every
four years, represent negligible bagetelle in COM
parison.
But the Prohibition party did not come simply
to settle financial problems. For, as people, we
are rich despite the loss.
Society bears the burden of no loss that ap-
proaches that imposed upon it by the death,
through the liquor traffic, of 100000 people each
twelve months. After three days of most san
culinary and stubborn fighting of which modern
history makes record there lay, CHASTITY and grue-
the field of Gettysburg, 1855 men, the
bloody booty of the brutal butchery of battle,
representing the slaughter of the brave and true
both in the Blue and the Gray. And there was
scarcely hamlet throughout the land that did
not proudly mourn its hero dead. But the liquor
traffic, every thirty days, spreads its damning,
deathly blight over an equal number of homes,
and marches to the final muster and to dis
honored graves as MANY of our citizens. And
there is no sweet and sacred sorrow to assuage
the singing gfief-but the gall of bitterness and
the ashes of woe increase and multiply the
bearable poignancy of anguish.
To blot out such foul national infamy to
avert the impending danger of such race suicide,
is abundant warrant for the existence of the Pro
hibition party. That, were it in power, it would
accomplish this end neither friend nor foe en-
tertans doubt. And its accomplishment would
shed a uster of glory on the pages of national
history unapDroached to this hour since first 10
cund day stood tptoe on the mountain top"
But lofty as is that purpose, the Prohibition
party was not called into existence solely nor
chiefly to raise its hand to stay this unspeakable
slaughter.
All these indictments of robbery, murder, ra-
pine Shiny vice and heinous crime are but gentle
impeachments The liquor traffic aims its murder
Gus thrust at the sacred emblem-at the flag! Last
year ten thousand murderers piled their bloody