The Springfield herald., 1908-10-30
PLATFORM OF
PROHIBITION
NATIONAL w. c. T. U. ADOPTS
STRONG RESOLUTIONS FOR
PROHIBITION AND PURITY.
FOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE
WOULD AMEND CONSTITUTION
TO PROHIBIT PoLYGAMY IN
ALL THE STATES.

Denver.-Following is the platform
adopted by the National Woman's
Christian Temperance Union Monday:
"First-Total abstinence: We reaf-
firm our unfaltering belief in total abb
stinence from the use of alcoholic IL
quors and pledge ourselves anew to
unceasing efforts. that this principle
may be firmly established in the hab-
its of life Of the people.
"Second-Prohibition With re-
newed courage and steadfast purpose
we again declare our faith in prohi-
bition as the only means of effectually
dealing with the traffic in intoxicating
liquors, and we will not rest till every
state and the nation has secured con-
stitutional amendment with adequate
law for It's enforcement.
"Third-Franchise: Believing in the
right of women to express their opin-
ions by the ballot, We will continue
to agitate, educate and strive until we
secure the enactment Of laws that will
give to women equal suffrage with
men.
Fourth-Purity: (a) We still insist
upon single standard Of morals for
men and women, and will continue to
emphasize the existence of natures
iuexorable decree that the laws of
morality are identical for the two
sexes, and this truth must be recog-
nized II the health and vigor of the
nation is to be maintained. We con-
tinue to emphasize the need OF the
wise instruction of children, the en-
lightenment of men and women as to
the results Of immortality. and the up
holding of the highest ideals of purity
in the home and in society. (b) De
ploring the continued existence of the
white slave traffic" and the horrible
system known as "the segregation and
filming of vice." we protest against this
Infamous business. We will continue
to do all in our power to arouse pub
lie sentiment until this iniquitous sys-
tenn is abolished. To this end We urge
that those who rent property for such
vile purposes be ostracised and pun
ished by law; that officers who
suppression Of vice be retired.
"Fifth-LeSislation (a) We regret
the continual inaction by Congress on
the Littlefield, or similar bill, de-
signed to protect prohibition territory
against the encroachments of the Ii
quor traffic through interstate com
merce and we pledge ourselves TO
work for its immediate enactment into
law. (b) Believing that the national
government has no right directly or in
directly to nullify the laws enacted by
the states, we will use every effort to
secure the prohibition Of the issuance
of internal revenue tax receipts in all
prohibition territory. (c) AS the resi-
dents of the District Of Columbia can
obtain legislation only through the ac-
ton of the federal Congress, We urge
that our unions in the several states
and representatives to use their votes
and influence to secure prohibition
for the district. I'D We recommend
cooperation with the National Temper
ance Society and other organizations
in asking Congress for the appoint
ment Of a national commission to in
vestigate the effects OF the liquor traf-
fic upon the moral and industrial af
fairs of the nation. (e) We recon-
mend that the states whose legisla-
lures meet the coming winter secure
the passage Of joint resolution, me-
morializing Congress to so amend the
federal constitution as to prohibit poly
gamy in all parts of the United States,
and in all sections under the jurisdic-
tion Of the United States.
"Sixth-The Flag: Inasmuch as
the so-called Personal Liberty League
stands for the saloon and for the open
Sunday We protest against the use
by that organization of our national
flag as It's emblem. AS patriotic, home
loving women, we believe that the
flag, the symbol of freedom, should
not be used as the emblem of the law
less, enslaving liquor traffic.
"Seventh-Bible in the Public
Schools: Believing that the Bible con-
tains the principles upon which right
teous government is founded and rec
ognizing the power Of the public
school in the formation of character
government depends, we advocate the
reading of the Bible, without comment,
in our public schools and other educa
tional institutions"