Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 August 1884 — WAR ON WHISKY. [ARTICLE]

WAR ON WHISKY.

National Convention of the Prohibition Party. A Presidential Ticket Nominated and a Platform Adopted. The National Prohibition Convention met at Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the 234 of July, and was called to order by Gideon L. Stewart. More than 400 delegates were hi attendance The call of the convention was read by the Secretary. W. R. W. Nelson, of Chicago. C L. Boss, of Pit’sburgh delivered an address of welcome, towhjch’Mr.Srewartrespon ed He calied attention to the fact that the ball in which they met was one of historic interest. Nearly thirty-two years ago the anti-slavery patriots assembled in it to organize a national campaign against the crime which at that time almost ruined the republic. Mr. Stewart mesged his response to the welcome into his opening address. He held that there was a relation between the enemies of slavery anjl of liqnor, and that they had mutually sustained each other. The destruction of liquor, he said, was beginning as had that of slavery. He denounced local option as a dangerous compromise with the liqnor crime. In effecting the temporary organization, William Daniel, ot Maryland, was elected Chairman, and Mrs. Wood bridge, of Ohio, and Charles 8. Carter, of as (Secretaries. Mr. Daniel spoke of the progress the canse of tempei ante had made In Maryland. He thought that if the Christian voters of the country were united, they could put St. John or some other good man in the White House. After the appointment of a Committee on Credentials, the convention adjourned until the afternoon. The aft moon session opened with a felicitous demonstration, the entire convention participating in the ringing of 'John Brown,* and, after prayer, of "Crown Him Lord of All.” The S oretary reported the following State representatives: Alabama, 2; California, 23; Connecticut, 2; Ill,hoiq 41; Maine, 3; Kansas, 17; Kentucky, 6; Michigan, 66; Nebraska, 3; Dakota. ls-Ohio, 34; New Jersey, 18; Maryland, 16; New York, 75; Missouri, 10; Tennessee, 12; Texas, 10; Pennsylvania, 68; Wisconsin, 66; total, 446. Telegrams were received from all parts of the country encouraging the work of the convention. W. C. A. Blanchard, of Illinois, addressed the convention, but in the coarse of his remarks gave offense to some of the Wisconsin delegates, who succeeded in forcing him to give np the floor before he bad concluded. At the evening session the permanent organization was announced, with Prof. Samuel Dickey, of Michigan, as President, a great many Vice Presidents, and Mrs. Woodbridge, of Ohio, as Secretary. The selections of the committee were concurred in. On taking the chair Prof. Dickey said that the delegates were forced by their powerful convictions to attend this mee.ing. They were not in harmony with those who believed in the taxing or licensing of liquor. They could not let it, alone. They believed that it ought to be suppressed. There was no hope to be placed in political parties. This Prohibition party stood committe' I to earnest, independent i oliti. al action. Its object whs to found and to build up from its foundation an intelligent body of voters whose political thought would be a complete suppression of the liquor traffic. To that work they were pledged, and by that work they expected to stand. Witl the power of the General Government In their hands it would be wielded wisely and well, and the nation would be redeemed from the curse of the rum power. A proposition was made to adopt a two-thirds rule for the nomination of candidates. It was discussed and rejected, and it was decided that it would require only a majority of the votes cast to nominate. The t*l of States was called for the nomination of one member from each, of a committee on finance, and two members of the National Executive CommiP.ee. Various propositions were submitted and referred to the Committee on Resolutions. Among them was one to make the basis of representation at the next National Prohibition Convention two for each Congressional District and tour for each State; and another to change the party s name. The convention at 10 o'clock adjourued till 9 a. m. Thursday.

Second Day. The convention was called to order at 9:10 a. m. by Chairman Daniel, and the exercises of the day were opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Leer, of New York. Mr. Mosher, of Maryland, said, satirically, that the thanks of the - onvention were due to the General Government for the iuteres, shown by it in this convention as evidenced by its sending two high othcers (the Commissioner of Pensions and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs) to Pittsburgh to advise the delegates. These gentlemen, it appeared by the morning papers, had gone back to Washington and reported that the convention could not be bribed at any price—that they could not even be hired to go home. At lu:3oa call of the States was ordered for the presentation of candidates for the Presidency. When Call orn.a was reached Mr. Babcock ascended the rostrum and pi cad in nomination Dr. McDonald, of California. Tue speaker described Mr. McDonald as a man who had borne the banner of temperance in the wine-cursed State of California, and who in return had been maligned because he manufactured a brand of patent medicine. Mr. Babcock was positive that there was no foundation for any of the charges that had been made against Dr. McDonald, and he assured , the convention that there was not a particle of alcoholic stimulant in the bitters. He described his candidate as a man of great generosity, and of conservative views. In response to the call for Hlinois, Mr. George C. Christian advanced to the rostrum and presented the name of ex-Gov. J. P. St. John, whom he described as a man whose record specially commended him to the consideration of the convention. He was a man who had seen war, who had lived on the bloody plains of the far West. He was the father of actual, practical, constitutional prohibition. He was a man whose whole soul and energies were entirely devoted to the cause. He might not be able to contribute very largely in a material way, but heoould give to the came the influence of moral force and moral heroism which no other man now named or to be named could ever hope to give it Not only tnat, but he was a brother-in-iaw of the President of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. Miss Frances E. Willard seconded the nomination ot St. John, whom she had known since childhood. St. John's nomination was also seconded by Mr. Minor, of Mass ichnsetts; Mr. Hanney, of Michigan; Mr. Sat erlee, of Minnesota; Mrs. Hoffman, of Missouri; Mr. Hopkins, of New York; Mr Finch, of Nebraska, and many others. Mr. Babcock withdrew McDonald’s name, and seconded the nomination of St. John. Mr. Eustis, of Maine, presented the name of Gideen T. Stewart, of i hio, hut Mr. Stewart declined. He said that he was in favor of St. John. The Hon. James Black, of Pennsylvania, also refnsed to be a candidate, and urged his iriends to vote St. John. Mr. Chapin, of Wisconsin, seconded the nomination of St. John, aud declared that the fight in the coming election would be between St. John and Cleveland. After some talk, without acting on the nomination, the convention at X :30 took a recess tiR 4:30. When the convention reassembled, a large number of dispatches were read urging the nomination of Gov. St. John, of Kansas, for Prerident. One from New Hampshire read: “Two hundred thou-and Methodists are waiting to vote tor St. John.” Ano her from tue State Prohibition Convention at Indianapolis conveyed greetings. The Chairman said, ait r the reading of these dispatches, that the pending business was to maxe the nomination of Mr. St. John unanimous. Prof. Hopkins, of New York, submitted an amendment that the roll of States be called. Many of the delegates u’gedthat the nomination bo deferred until after the adoption i f tue platform. The convention refus 'd, however, and toe call of the roil was ordered. All the delegations voted nnan mously for St. John, and w h u the Secretary made the announcement giving the total vote cast as 602, the aud ence rose to its feet and cheered. These demonstrations were kept up for several moments and finally broke out into a song of “Glory Hallelujah,” closing by the long meter doxology. The committee on resolutions reported the platform, which is as follows: 1. The Prohii.it on Homs Protection parly, in national convention assembled, acknowledge Almighty God as the rightful sov< reign of all men, and from whom the juet powers of government are derived; to whose laws human enactments should conform, and that peace, prosperity, and happiness only can < omn to the B.e when the laws of the National' and Governments are in accord with the divine will. 2. That the importation, manufacture, supply, and sale of alcoholic beverage, created and maintained by the la ws of the National and State Governmen s. during the entire history of such laws. Is everywhere shown to be the promoting tanse of intemperance, with resulting crime and pauperism, making large demands upon public and private charity, imposing large and unjust taxation and public burdens for penal and sheltering institute ns npon thrift, industry, manufactures, and commerce; endangering the pub-

Be causing desecration of the corrupting our pol ties, legislation, and adml* istration of the laws: shortening I ves, imps! ing health, and dim-nishmg the productive dustry; cacs.ng education to be negl c(* and despised; nullifying the the Bible, the churdh, and the » the mandards and guides of our fa-afl and their children in the founding and under God, of our widely extended and which, imperiling the perpetuity qf oar cfl and religious liberty, are baleful fruits, * which we know that these laws are alike eo* tiaiy to God’s laws and contravene our ness; and we call upon our fellow-citizens* aid m the repeal of these laws and the legal so* l resslon of this baleful liqnor traffic. I 3. The fact that during the twenty-four yea* in which the Republican party has sontrolled t* General Government, and that of many of the* States, no effort has been made to change t* policy. Territories have been created from t* national domain, and governments for ihem e* tablished, and States from them admitted* the Unidn, In neither of which has this tmt* beeo'forbtdden, or the people of these Territ* ries or States been permitted to prohibit Th* there are now over 200 000 di-diUe.ies, brewerie* and retail dealers in these drinks, bolding cefl tlficates and claiming the authority of the Go* eminent for th: continuation of a bnsina* destructive to the moral and material welfare* the people, together with the fact that th* have turned a deaf ear to remonstrance ax* petition for the correction of the abnse of dsfl government, is conclusive that the Republic* party is insensible to, or impotent for, tt* redress of those wrong-,and should no long* be intrusted with the powers or reepos* sibilities of government That althoug* that party, in its late national conventual was silent on the liquor question, not so its caul didates—Messrs. Blaine and Logan. Within i* year past Mr. Blaine has publicly recommend* that the revenue derived'from the liquor trail* shall be distributed among the States, and Sen* tor Logan has by bill proposed to devote the* revenues to the snpport of schools. Thus bo* virtually recommend the perpetuation of th* traffic, and that the States and Its citizens sha* become p rtners in the liquor crime. The fa* that the Democratic party has in its national d* liverances of party policy arrayed itself on tl* side of the dri uk-makers and sellers by declaring against the policy es prohibition of such traf* under the false name of 'sumptuary laws," and when in power in some of the States refusing * remedy legislation, and in Congress recusing * permit the creation of a board of inquiry to i* vestimate and report upon the effects of th* traffic, proves that the Democratic party shoal* not be intrusted with power or place. Than there can be no greater peril to thenation tha* the existing competition of the Republican an* Democratic parties for the liqnor vote. Ex* perienOf. shows that any party not opehll opposed to ihe trait:o will engage in this con* petition, will court the favor of the criminal classes, will barter aw ay the public morals, thl purity of the ballot and every trust and obje* of good government, for party success, an* patriots and good citizens should find in th* practice sufficient cause for immediate vritl* drawal from connection with such party. I 4 That while we favor ref rms in the admini* tration of the Government In the abolition of a* sinecures and useless offices, we favor the ele* tion by tue people of the Postoffice officers * Government, instead of appointment by tl* President: that competition and sobriety a* essential qualifications for bolding a civil offio* and wc oppose the removal of such persons en cept so far as it may be absolutely necessary t* si cure effectiveness as the vital issue on whiefl the Governm. nt is intrusted to a party; thal the colle.tion of revenues from «1 ohol, liquors! and tobacco shonld be abolished as the vices* men. and not a proper subject lor taxation. I 5. That revenue for customs duties shonld bl levied for the support oi the Government, ecol nomlcaliy administered, and when so levied thl fostering of American labor, manufactures, an* industries should constancy be held in view. I 6. That the public lands should be held fol homes for the people, and not for gifts to corl p 'rations, or to be held in large bodies for speo! uLtion upon the needs of actual settlers. | 7. That all money, coin, and paper shall bl made, issued, and regulated by the General Gov! eminent, and shall be legal tender for all debt* public and private. I 8. That grateful care and support should bl given to our sol iers and sailors, their depended! widows or orphans, disabled in the service <* the country. I 9. That we repudiate as un-American, cod trary to and subversive of the principles of thl Decla ation of Independence, from which ot* Government has grown to be a Government ol 65,000,000 of people, and a recognized powe! among the nations, that any poison or peopl! shall or may be excluded from residence or citil zenship with all others who may desire the benl efits which our institutions confer upon th! oppressed of all nations. I 10. That while these are important reforms! and demanded for the purity of admin! istration and the welfare of the people! their importance sinks into insignificant* when compared to the reform of the drinjl traffic, which annually wastes $800,000,000 of th! we Ith crea ed oy toil and thrift and drags down thousands of families from comfort to poverty! which fills jails, penitentiaries, insane asylums] hospitals, and institutions for dependency! which destroys the health, sars the industry! and causes loss of life and property to thou! sands in the land, lowers intellectual and phys! ical viuor, dulls the cunning hand or th! artisan, tue chief cause of bankruptcy, insoll veni.y, and loss in trade, and by its corruptin! power endangers the perpetuity of tree institu! tions I

11. That Congress should exercise its nndonbt ed power and prohibit the manufacture am sale of intoxicating beverages in the Distriot < Columbia, the Territories of the United State and in all places over which the Government hi exclusive jurisdiction. 12. That hereafter no State shall be admitte into the Union until its c institution shall ex pressly piouiblt polygamy and the mannl'actur and sale of intoxicating beverages. We earnestly call the attention of the labors] and mechanic, the miner and manufacturer and ask an Investigation of the baneful effect upon labor and industry caused by the needles liquor business, which will be found a robber which lessens wages and profits—the destroys of the happiness and family welfare of th< laboring man; and that labor and legitimat industry demand deliverance from the taxa tion and loss which this traffic imposes, ant that uo legislation can so healthily stimulat production or increase a demand for capital am labor, or produce so much of comfort and con tent, as the suppressing of this traffic wool! bring to the laboring man, mechanic, or em ployer of labor throughout our land. 13. That the activity ir co-operation of th women of America for the promotion o temperance has, in all the history of the past been strength and encouragement whicl we gratefully acknowledge; and tlie methods the earnestness, zeal, intelligence, and devo tion of the mothers and daughters of th< Woman’s Christian Temperance Union hav been eminently blessed by God. Kansas an< lowa have been given her as “sheaves" pf re' joidng, and the education and arousing of th< public mind, and the constitutional amend ments which now prevail, are largely the fraito her prayers and labors; and we rejoice to have our Christian women unite with us, sharing fa the labor that shall bring abolition of the traffic. She shall Join in the grand “Praise God fron Whom All Blessings Flow,” when, by law, oni boys and firesides shall be free from legal drinl temptation. 14. That, believing in the civil and politics equality of the hexes, and that the ballot in th •hunt! of woman is right for her protection, an< would prove a powerful ally for the suppressloi of the drink saloon, the execution ot the law the i romotion of reform in civil offloea and th removal ot cor uptlon in public life, we d legate the practical outworking of this reform to the discretion of the Prohibion party in the several States, according to the condition of publi< sent ment in those States. 15. That gratefully we acknowledge and praise God for the presence of His spirit, guiding conn* sel, and granting the success which has been vouchsafed in the progress of temperance reform, and looking to Him for all wisdom and help, we ask the voters of the United States to make the principles of the above declaration a rnling i rin lple In the government of the nation and of till Sea es. The Rev Dr. Miner, of Massachusetts, one of the three members of the Committee on Resolutions, to whom the platform was referred for Hterary revision, said that the committee would not be able to report to the convention for action. He moved that the name of the party be fixed as the Prohibition party. Miss Wi lard spoke in favor of retaining the name of the Prohibition Home-Piotectlon Party. The vote resulted in 223 to 156 in fa or of Mr. Miner’s nr tion, and the name of the party was ordered to be Thi Prohibit on Partv.” The convention then, at 6:30 o'clock,' teok a recess ill 8 o’clock, when, after some discussion regarding the raising of a campaign fnnd, the roll of i-tat- s was called lor nominations for the Vice Presidency. Mrs. Carol!n: Boell, of Connecticut, pres n .ed the name of George P. Rogers, qf Conue ticut, speaking of him as a Christian gentleman and a Christian prohibitionisi—the father of that p irty in Connecticut. Mrs. Minnie Mosher Jackson, of Savannah, Ga., presented the name of William Daniel, remarking that as they had John P. St. John to leaf them on they should have ”a Daniel come te judgment.” Mr. Babcock, of California, seconded Daniel’) nomina ion, being assure ! that he would carry] Maryland for prohibition. After a discussion of variors topic* and a profn e seconding of the nomination ofl Daniel, the States were called and he was unanl imous y chosen the candidate tor the Vice Prelfl idercy. Mr. Daniel briefly returned thanks, and, aftefl some further unimportant business, theoonveifl tion at midnight adjourned sine die.