Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1884 — JOHN P. ST. JOHN. [ARTICLE]

JOHN P. ST. JOHN.

The Prohibition Candidate’s Letter Accepting the Nomination for President. If We Wsnt an Honest, Sober Government, We Must Have an Honest, Sober People.” —, _ _ . _ Olathb, Kan., Sept 26. The Hon. Samuel Dickie, Chairman of Committee, etc. Mv Deab 8m: In formally accepting the nomination for President tendered me by the National Prohibition Convention at Pittsburg, ■* 3 ’I take the opportunity to state that while the honor was neither sought nor desired by me. yet it is greatly appieciated, bestowed as it was by a convention composed of delegates who, in point of moral worth and mental ability, were fully equal, if not superior, to any political convention that ever assembled In this country. The war for the Union is over; the rebellion has been crushed; African slavery abolished; old issues have passed away, and “JTtth them should go old prejudices and sectional strife. To-day the products of the North and the South float in friendly relations in the same channels, under the same flag, every section ot our country acknowledging allegiance to the same Government. There never was a tone when our people could better afford to, and when it was ™? r ? Important that they should, stop and think, than now. With manufactories shutting down, banks breaking, merchants failing in business, securities unsettled. Western wheat selling at the home market for 40 cents per bushel, and hundreds ot thousands of industrious mechanics and laboring men who are willing to work but can get nothing to do, it seems to me that the time has come for the people, who are the source of all political power, to call a halt, and stop and think, tor there must be a reason for this condition of things. The little time and space the old parties can spare after dealing out the full measure of personal abuse and vilification that each seems to think the other merits, is mainly devoted to a discussion of the tariff question, ignoring all matters that relate to the moral elevation of the people. I am of the opinion that the manufacturer who, by reason of the depressed condition of business, has been compelled to make an assignment for the benefit of his creditors, will not find relief in the agitation of that question now, nor will the average farmer become very enthusiastic over its discussion, with his wheat not worth as much in the bin as it cost him to produce it. The amount received by the Government for dffcies on imports is less than $200,000,000 annually. There are about 175,000 retail dealers in intoxicating liquors in the United States, each of whom pays to our Government $25, in consideration of which sum they are permitted to carry business for the term of twelve months. When we add to this the amount paid by distillers, brewers, and wholesale liquor dealors, we find that the interest of the Government in the manufacture and sale of Intoxicating liquors is about $80,000,000 annually. This traffic, sanctioned as it is by the laws of our country, costs the people at a low estimate, a thousand million dollars a year, not to speak of the destroyed homes, debauched manhood, poverty, heartache, crime, and corruption it produces. This disgraceful business should be suppressed, and the enormous sum of money that under the present system is thrown away, saved to the people, and thus a protection would be given to the industries of this country that would enable us successfully to throw our doors wide open to the competition of the world. The Republican and Democratic parties favor a continuance of the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, while the Prohibition party demands that the same shall be forever suppressed. Thus an Issue Is presented to the people in which is involved the protection of every home in the land. It is not a mere local issue, either, but it is a national, as well as a practical question, upon which a large, and respectable body ot citizens—against whose convictions party discipline is powerless—have decided to vote, and they will not be found halting between two opinions in this matter, but will work and pray and vote against this great evil until it is driven from our land, never to return. The Government Is simply the reflex of the individuals composing it. If we want an honest, sober Government we must have an honest, sober people. But we can never have an honest, sober people so long as the Government sanctions that which makes its citizens dishonest, drunken, and corrupt. The declaration of principles, which I heartily indorse, as set forth in the platform of the Prohibition party, is entitled to the thoughtful consideration and earnest support of all good citizens without regard to locality or former political affiliation. Our country needs an administration that will rise above mere partisan considerations, and in the selection of public officials make honesty, sobriety, and efficiency, and not service to party, the test. It should b« conducted, not in the interest of any particular section, party, race, or color, but in the interest of the whole people. To accomplish this ah good citizens should promptly step to the front and be counted for the right. This is no timfi for dodging. Moral cowardice will never win, and surely never deserve a victory. Then let us look to God for His guidance, and fearlessly and faithfully do our whole duty, never doubting that He will take care of the results. Very truly your friend, John P. St. John.