The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1908-05-28
JatAsonsllf 1anistia aliame to The lpapIe Of rlpraa


by the Ministerial Alliance and others OF Jacksonville and will
be sent throughout the state 1t appeal to the Christian
people Of the state and should be pondered BY
/ Godearing voter of the state
/ To The God-Fedring People of Florida.
4 condition now confronts the people of Florida
the like OF which has been known in this State
Many Of us are not either politicians or political
partizans but all Of the undersigned feel It their
patriotic duty to disregard all existing party or
factiona affiliations and to call upon all good citizens
lof Florida having the right to vote in the coming
Primary Election, June To- to lay aside for the time
being at least all partizan feelings and join all the
God-fearing order-loving aw-abiding people in one
united effort to prevent the otherwise possible domi-
nation of the government Of Florida by the liquor
dealers OF our fair State.
We respectfully state the following as facts worthy
of the prayerfu consideration of the people of Florida
The Democratic Primary Elections in Florida un-
questionaby and absolutely fix the status Of all State
and county governments. III them are chosen all Of
our executive, legislative and judicial officers. In
these decided the governmental status far as
law, order, peaceable existence and enforcement Of
laws are concerned Those who wish government to
be controlled by the moral elements in society for the
moral welfare of the community must here vote for
those persons who stand for the moral welfare Of the
people. Those opposing moral government and in
terested in debaucbing the people never fail to be
active in their own interests
Never before in the history Of Florida have the
ofthe saloon interests so openly de-
fed the moral elements of society and so boldly
organized to sieze control Of the government Of the
State and Of so many Of the counties.
Never before in the history of any Southern State
have the saloon keepers so openly organized and
rasec corruption funds by openly assessing every
saloon in the State and authorized agents to the
great dstilleries and brewers Of the United States
soliciting contributions from outside this state to bel
Used to influence the voters Of the state in the election
II governor, Legislators and other officers who will
under obligations to them and who will owe TO the
aIoon men their election to Office
tits hard to conceive of such case but Il is an
bsolutely evident fact and fact not even attempted
be hidden. but Is openly avowed, that the saloon
interests in Florida have been thoroughly organized
nd have assessed each saloon of the state and have
objected in addition thereto enormous Of money
rom disters and brewers beyond the limits of the
tate and have concentrated their support upon one
andidate for governor of the state and upon candi
ates for the state senate aud house Of
nd for the Offices that have to do with the enforce
tent of laws intended to regulate the sale Of liquors
The people Of Florida could not believe the extent
the work of the liquor dealers until they come face
face in contact With it at the recent primary n
ection but the conditions then disclosed should Il
Nv arouse every patriotic citizen Of Florida to
oroueh realization that unless they act together la
ID act promptly and vigorously the saloon interests
Florida backed by the entire liquor interests Of
ntsd States will elect for four years as governor Of
orida, the man whom they have openly supported ii
ith enormous expenditures Of money, and who If So
eced will beyond possible question owe his election
their support. 10,
We do not wish to say one word against the lei
aracter Of their candidate, Mr. Cilchrist and he isl
course, receiving the votes of many patriotic ht
liens, who cannot and will not approve of the -
ethods used but no one can deny that IL elected he ~
II absolutely owe his election to the saloon interests
thout whose assistance he would not have come til
ywksre near being elected. ie'
AS citizens OF Duval county we can speak from a
rsona observation and knowledge Of the recent|bv
mary election 10 this county where, there were oil
rhaps more open more active and mere effective XII
~ elsewhere because Of the fact that there are nore
greater saloon interest here where have mol ~
y our former number Of liquor dealers, but where Oh
lQe have concentrated many xi|etey houses q