The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1919-01-25
COLD WATER PARTY
FIFTY YEARS OLD
Was Organized for National Po'
IiticaI Action in 1869.
FIRST POLLED 5,607 VOTES
John p. 81 'ohn's Stirring Campaign
of 1aa4-Great Work Of Miss Will
lard and the w. c T U. IN
SURPRISING lntemperance.

Final triumph ,o~ its aus came 10
the national Prohibition party almost
at the time 0. It's golden jubilee, Ii
caue 'ntC existence fit. ears ago
next September IN r0rwell hall, Chl-
cogo nv the &c of y convention OF
about 800 delegates representing 10
states.
For severa- years the formation Oh
such q party lad beer discussed DC
couse the leaders of the Republican
and Democratic parties had virtually
ignored the advocates OF prohlDllloh'
The Good Templars, organized ID 1911
rs n society of total abstainers, urseu
such action. and other leaders beile'eu
il necessary. At state temperance
convention held in Pennsylvania IN
1867 the plan was first publicly broach-
ed. and two years later on May 81
1864 the call for the Chicago conVen-
ton was put out by the grand lodge OF
the Good Templars in session at US
veqo. Ny. A committee to formulate
the plans was na-led, comprising Johh
Russell, Detroit ]. A. Spencer, Cleve-
land. D.. James Black, Lancaster Pa;
John N. Stearns, Ne-y York, and Dan
iel wilkins, Bloomington, Ill. The con-
yention called by this committee or
ganized the party on Septembe> L.
adopted a platform and appointed !
national committee of which John Rus
sell was chairman.
First National Ticket.
Nearly three years later, on WASH
inrton's birthday, 1877? the new party
met in cOnventio-- in Columbus, w., 10
Mace a nation ticket in the held.
lanes Black was nominated for presl-
dent and John Russell for vice presl-
dent. Mr.. Black was a prominent Good
Templar and also was one OF tine
founders of the National Temperance
Society and Publication house and OF
the Camp Meeting association al
Ocean Grove, N. J. Mr.. Russell, a'so
leader of the Good Templars and q
Methodist minister, was known as the
father of the Prohibition patty, for ne
published a newspaper, the Penlnsulai
Herald. which led the way in advocat
ing the organization of the party fol
political action.
With all their devotion to the cause
the Prohibition leaders had no hope o.
success in the election of 1872, an'
they were not disappointed. Thel
ticket received only SCOT votes. Thi
did not discourage them, and fou
wears later they put Green Clay Smitl
of Kentucky and Gideon Il. Stewar
on the ticket. These gentlemen re
ceived 9,737 votes. General Neal DoV
of Maine. who had gained fame as tn
u author of the Maine Prohibition law
u was the next presidential candidate
in 1880, with HI. A. Thompson in sec
ond place on the ticket. They pole
only 1896 votes.
St. Johns Hot Campaign.
When~ the plans were being laid 10
the campaign of 1884, Frances E. WI
lard and her fellow workers of the
C. T. U. entered the field. They sen
,, to the Republican convention a grea
D. petition asking that consideration 0
given the pleas of the temperance az
yocates, but it was ignored and eve
, thrown into the dirt on the floor, an
Miss Willard promptly turned to tn
:. Prohibition party. Her help was we
:. coined and John p. st. John of kal
sas was put at the head of the col
u water ticket. Already he was not;
- BILE figure, for he had fought in II