Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-15
Lincoln Favored Prohibition.

what nope nave We tnal ne anu tLo
democratic party will give any aid to
this cause.
Lincoln Favored Prohibition.
PLACE alongside the attitude of the. re-
publican party since 1872 the well estab-
llSiicd views Of Abraham Lincoln on this
question | hold in my hands absolute
proof that Lincoln was in favor Of the
prohibition of the liquor traffic.
January %, 1883, MIR. Lincoln. in the
company of thirty-eisht other citizens Of
Springfield. listened to radical prohibi-
ton sermon and afterward. in writing. re.
Quested its publication. The document L
hold in my hand is one OF the original
copies of that publication including the
sermon and the letters signed by Lincoln
and others. This copy was found by
myself in our law office in Springfield
among some old papers of the old law
firm OF Lincoln &, Berndon.
IT quote from the sermon the following
The liquor traffic is a cancer in society,"
eating out its vitals and threatening de-
struction. and all attempts to regulate 1t
will not only prove abortive but agsravate
the evil. No, there must be no more ef-
fort to regulate the cancer; 1t must be
eradicated. not root must be left be-
hind.
The remedy the most effectual would
be the passage of a law altogether abol-
ishing the liquor traffic, except for me-
chanical chemical, medicinal and sacra-
mental purposes.
Letter Signed by Lincoln.
These words have quoted were ut
tered by Rev. James Smith and the let
ter written him requesting their publica-
ton by Lincoln and others was as fol.
lows:
SPRINGFIELD. ILL.,. Jan. . 1883.
Rev James Smith. ID:
Sir: The undersigned have listened
with great satisfa elton to the discourse
on the subject of temperance delivered
by you last evening. and bel ewing that If
published and circulated among the peo-
pie II would be productive of good, would
respectfully request copy thereof for
publication.
Very sincerely your friends,
"a LINCOLN.
And thirty-eight other signatures
We may we'll congratulate ourselves
t-at our arty is the only party today
that stands for these principles which
Lincoln himself approved and published in
1859
Chairman Jones Endorsed.
The administration Of National Chair
man Jones was Endorsed by tho Illinois
delegation and a resolution adopted urg-
ing that he be continued at the head
Of the committee.
The delegates from the New England
states held a caucus while en- route to
Columbus and decided to stand together
on all questions and cast the vote of
the New England states as q practical
unit. Mathew E. O'Brien OF Connecticut
vas chosen chairman of the New Englane
dele gates.
Patton Arouses Enthusiasm.
Mr. Patton held the attention. OF the
audience throughout his speech and at
times moved his hearers to great en-
thusiasm. AS he proceeded. driving shaft
after shaft at the International parties
he was chesred again and again.
Take off your coat and Hit hin,
again" cried voices from the delegates
The speaker took off his coat and then
paid his compliments to the late Herman
Raster of Illinois. author of the personal
liberty plank OF the 1872 republican plat
torn; This plank, known as the Six
Patton. He read letter from Wade H.
Ellis. attorney general of Ohio. author OF
much OF the republican platform of this
year, declaring that he could find nothing
IN the sixteenth plank Inconsistent with
republican doctrines
Caught with the goods" shouted some
one in the audience, and continuing. Mr..
Patton said that Mr.. Ellis knows what
Boss Cox Of Cincinnati wants. and
Nc0to HOl OppOeS HIS WbSISS
President Taft knows the same" said
the speaker. and laugh greeted the title
given the republican candidate, and he
corrected himself hastily.
Passing from the republican party, Mr.
Patton spoke of that very talkative man
from Lincoln" and said that in the last
sixteen years Mr.. Bryan has championed
everything loose under the sun in the way
of a political issue except the prohibition
question.
This statement was greeted with a
chorus of Shame shame coming from
the audience.
Al the conclusion of Mr.. Pattons speech
tie state delegations announced their
members of the convention committees
and the membership of the national COM
mittee.
Meetings of the committee were held
Immediately after the adjournment of the
convention.
Just prior TO the conclusion of the morn
ing session an address OF welcome to the
delegates was made by Mayor c.. A. Bond
OF Columbus, the response for the con-
vention being made by William F. F. Fer
suson OF Chicago.
The decided impression made by the
speech Of Temporary Chairman Patton
resulted in an almost Immediate move
tllent TO make him the presidential nom
inee. The Indiana delegation inaugurated
h..