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1872
Prohibition Party Platform
Resolved, That we reaffirm the following resolutions
adopted by the National Prohibition
Convention, held at Chicago, Sept. 2, 1869:
`Whereas, Protection and allegiance are reciprocal
duties, and every citizen who
yields obedience to the just demands of the Government is entitled to
the full,
free and perfect protection of that Government in the enjoyment of personal
security, personal liberty and private property; and
`Whereas, The traffic in intoxicating drinks
greatly impairs the personal security
and personal liberty of a large mass of citizens, and renders private
property
insecure; and
`Whereas, All other political parties are hopelessly
unwilling to adopt an adequate
policy on this question; therefore
`We, in National Convention assembled, as citizens
of this free republic, sharing
the duties and responsibilities of its Government, in discharge of a solemn
duty we owe to our country and our race, unite in the following declaration
of principles:
`1. That while we acknowledge the pure patriotism
and profound statesmanship of
those patriots who laid the foundations of this Government, securing at
once the
rights of the States severally, and their inseparable union by the Federal
Constitution,
we would not merely garnish the sepulchers of our republican fathers,
but we do hereby renew our solemn pledges of fealty to the imperishable
principles of civil and religious liberty embodied in the Declaration
of American Independence and our Federal Constitution.
`2. That the traffic in intoxicating beverages
is a dishonor to Christian civilization,
inimical to the best interests of society, a political wrong of unequaled
enormity, subversive of the ordinary objects of government, not capable
of being regulated or restrained by any system of license whatever, but
imperatively
demanding for its suppression effective legal Prohibition by both State
and National legislation.'
`3. That while we recognize the good providence
of Almighty God in supervising
the interest of this nation from its establishment to the present time,
having organized our party for the legal Prohibition of the liquor traffic,
our reliance for success is upon the same omnipotent arm.
`4. That there can be no greater peril to the
nation than the existing party competition
for the liquor vote; that any party not openly opposed to the traffic,
experience shows, will engage in this competition, will court the favor
of the criminal classes, will barter away the public morals, the purity
of
the ballot, and every object of good government, for party success.
`5. That while adopting national political
measures for the Prohibition of the
liquor traffic, we will continue the use of all moral means in our power
to persuade
men away from the injurious practice of using intoxicating beverages.
`6. That we invite all persons, whether total
abstainers or not, who recognize
the terrible injuries inflicted by the liquor traffic, to unite with us
for its overthrow, and to secure thereby peace, order and the protection
of persons
and property.
`7. That competency, honesty and sobriety are
indispensable qualifications for
holding public office.
`8. That removals from public service for mere
difference of political opinion
is a practice opposed to sound policy and just principles.
`9. That fixed and moderate salaries should
take the place of official fees and
perquisites; the franking privilege, sinecures, and all unnecessary offices
and
expenses should be abolished, and every possible means be employed to
prevent
corruption and venality in office; and by a rigid system of accountability
from all its officers, and guards over the public treasury, the utmost
economy should be practiced and enforced in every department of the Government.
`10. That we favor the election of President,
Vice-President and United States
Senators by direct vote of the people.
`11. That we are in favor of a sound national
currency, adequate to the demands
of business and convertible into gold and silver at the will of the holder,
and the adoption of every measure compatible with justice and the public
safety, to appreciate our present currency to the gold standard.
`12. That the rates of inland and ocean postage,
of telegraphic communication,
of railroad and water transportation and travel, should be reduced
to the lowest practicable point, by force of laws wisely and justly framed,
with reference not only to the interest of capital employed but to the
higher
claim of the general good.
`13. That an adequate public revenue being
necessary, it may properly be raised
by impost duties and by an equitable assessment upon the property and
legitimate
business of the country; nevertheless we are opposed to any discrimination
of capital against labor, as well as to all monopoly and class legislation.
`14. That the removal of the burdens, moral,
physical, pecuniary and social, imposed
by the traffic in intoxicating drinks will, in our judgement, emancipate
labor and practically thus promote labor reform.
`15. That the fostering and extension of common
schools under the care and support
of the State, to supply the want of a general and liberal education, is
a
primary duty of a good government.
`16. That the right of suffrage rests on no
mere circumstance of color, race, former
social condition, sex or nationality, but inheres in the nature of man;
and
when from any cause it has been withheld from citizens of our country
who are
of suitable age and mentally and morally qualified for the dischare of
its
duties, it should be speedily restored by the people in their sovereign
capacity.
`17. That a liberal and just policy should
be pursued to promote foreign immigration
to our shores, always allowing to the naturalized citizens equal rights,
privileges and protection under the Constitution with those who are native
born.'
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