The Western Reform Advocate from Topeka, Kansas • 1

1 funct The Western Reform Advocate. "A DAY, AN HOUR OF VIRTUOUS LIBERTY, IS WORTH A WHOLE ETERNITY IN BONDAGE." Published Weekly by the Western TOPEKA, KANSAS, AUGUST 28, 1882. Subscription Rates Invariably in Advance, Reform Publishing Company. $1.50 Per Annum. Editorial Notice.

I. Contributions covering all phases of the temperance, woman suffrage, and other reform movements, will be given space in the columns of the REFORM ADVOCATE. 2. Officials of temperance and general reform organizations, are invited to send in reports of their special work, and to discuss the same in the columns of this paper. 3.

The name and address of the writer must be attached to any communication, as a guarantee of good faith. Names, however, will not be published unless desired. The editors of this paper will not be responsible for the views of correspondents, and unless special mention is made, must not be considered as indorsing the same. Correspondence and communications intended for publication, should be addressed to the EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT. Business Notice.

Correspondence pertaining to subscriptions or advertising, should be addressed to the BUSINESS MANAGER, Remittances should be made by post-office order, draft or registered letter. Advertising rates promptly furnished on application. INTRODUOTORY. We have no apology to offer for introducing to the reading public of Kansas the WESTERN REFORM ADVOCATE, believing that the "times are propitious" for such a venture, and that it will meet with a hearty reception in a commonwealth enjoying the proud position of leadership in temperance reform among a brilliant array of states. Whether or not the projectors of this journal are competent to make it worthy of public patronage, so that the reality will bear proper relationship to the ideal, and it will be found worthy of a place as an educator of social, moral, and political sentiment, is a question for time and our friends to determine; certainly the fault will not be one of endeavor, in case of a failure, which we are unwilling to contemplate.

We ask the usual charity and forbearance of our readers and contemporaries of the public press for the shortcomings of a first issue. In outlining the nature and scope of our enterprise, we cannot do better than reiterate in part the explanation made in our circular, addressed and sent to many friends of reform: 1. The REFORM ADVOCATE will be issued in the interests of temperance reform in this and adjacent states, and such other reform measures as are calculated to purify the homes and increase the prosperity and happiness of our people in the great west. To furnish a medium for those who are in sympathy with genuine reform measurea, by which practical ideas may be interaged and discussed, and reports. from.

of active work published. supply the home: circle with and interesting reading, calculated and instruct. In this particular a pains will he taken to make the welcome visitor to young and old 4. Passing 'events in the world around us, at home and abroad, secular and religious, will be summarized in each issue. In addition to the above, we have this much to add: The ADVOCATE is entirely independent of any and all reformatory organizations, except so far as it offers them a medium for the broadest discussion of "means and ends" in their work, and invites their sympathetic co-operation.

Furthermore, we are willing to devote both labor and means to this effort, having for its object the concentration of temperance and other reformatory work, and advocacy of the advanced sentiment of the masses of the people upon questions agitating the entire west, if we can command the support of those interested in the same. Special attention is called to the many departments of our journal, embracing as they do a wide field no pains will be spared to make these various divisions entertaining and valuable. To all who are teaching and advocating that "virtuous liberty" calculated to elevate and harmonize human nature, to the rank and file of the great Reform army, to Christian workers laboring for universal spiritual advancement in the name of our common Master, to our esteemed contemporaries of the public press, to all the people of progressive and prosperous Kansas we come with hearty greeting. With this- -we fear awkwardly worded salutatory, we invite calm and critical examination of our purpose and appearance, as a journal designed to be the rival of none already engaged in this great work, but, with the broadest possible catholicity, the ADVOCATE of all who are laboring for this great end-social, moral, and political advancement. Our Contributors.

THE GROWTH OF PROHIBITION. BY JAMES A. TROUTMAN. There are many casual ohservers in society who look upon prohibition as a spasmodic sentiment, the result of transitory enthusiasm; but the thoughtful student of affairs, who penetrates the surface, and studies progressively from cause to effect. knows the full strength and permanency of this great modern reform.

The prohibition sentiment is not the result of a mere ebullition of passion, but of a profound and abiding conviction. The judgment and conscience of men have been awakened to a full realization of the haleful effects of intemperance. They have heard the wails of sorrow that came up from the homes of its wretched victims, have seen the track: of desolation its century of havoc has made, and observed the moral, physical and financial wrecks it strewn all along the pathway of times under these awful influences, temperance to-day, reigns with supreme unity in the Judgment and conscience of the people. The application of a feasible remedy has been the controlling wish for years. Reason, justice, and the logic of history have been for more then a quarter of a century centering upon prohibition.

Its growth has, not been phenominal, but gradual, and its existence will not be ephemeral, but enduring. The force of accumulated logic and the momentum of awakened conscience have brought the people very naturally to the principle and policy of prohibition. This is especially true in Kansas. No moral question has ever been so thoroughly discussed in this state. The few pioneers in this work endured the sneers and the ridicule which are always the portion of those who take a step in advance of established usage, but they patiently continued their good work.

For a decade their numbers were slowly augmented, until they were accorded respectful consideration at the hands of the political leaders. After ten or fifteen years of patient work, without any visible results other than increased numbers, the dominant political party began to ask how the temperance vote could be retained. Its political hooks had been baited for years to catch the whisky vote. But the voters whose devotion to principle was greater than their fealty to party, had increased to such numbers that party supremacy demanded a different kind of bait. So after some years of respectful consideration the legislators of Kansas yield to the importunities of the people by submitting the prohibitory amendment for their acceptance or rejection.

This was not the specific thing wanted by all the temperance people, but it grew out of an imperative demand for some remedial legislation. After the submission of the question to the people they had twenty months for its consideration before voting. Every possible phase of the question was presented in its most forcible light. Objections, real or imaginary, were used diligently by the opposition. And after a campaign of unrivaled thoroughness, reaching every part of the state, a majority of those who wield that sceptre of sovereignty, the ballot, gave their adhesion to the policy of prohibition.

This vote was not the result of transitory enthusiasm, but the calm, reflective judgment of the voters. The legislature, in obedience to the settled wishes of the people, enacted a law to enforce the provisions of the amendment previously adopted. Every link in the chain of prohibition in Kansas has been made and strengthened by the calm, deliberate judgment and conscience of the people. Nearly four years have elapsed since the question of prohibition was submitted to the voters of Kansas in a tangible form. For four years it has demanded and received the consideration of every citizen in the state, and is to-day a living, progressive, growing principle, that will reach its final triumph in the absolute supression of the liquor traffic, NATIONAL PROHIBITION.

A national reform convention was held in Chicago on the 23d inst. The object of the convention, as stated in the call issued, was the adoption of such measures as would most certainly and effectively promote principles and purposes of the reformatory movement. First and most important was the determination of the convention. to against the liquor traffic, for in wage war this lies the beginning or our greatest evils, and from this alone arises the most urgent necessity of reform. In response to the call issued the convention was held in Chicago during three days of last week.

The convention met in Farwell Hall, which had been profusely decorated with appropriate banners, mottoes, shields etc. Among the platform decorations was a beautiful floral well and bucket the significance of which may well be understood. The platform desk was draped with the national flag, and on shields were the names of St. John, of Kansas; Colquitt, of Georgia; and Blair, of New Hampshire. Among the noted temperance workers present were Miss Frances E.

Willard, John B. Finch, George W. Bain, R. L. Hayes, John Russell, Mrs.

J. Ellen Foster, and many others. The hall was crowded every day and the convention was the most important one ever held in opposition to the liquor traffic, and was a most encouraging indication of the increased growth of prohibition principles throughout the nation. Mr. Bain, of Kentucky, in his opening speech, eulogized the action of Gov.

St. John, of Kansas. Addresses were then made by Miss Willard, Mrs. Foster, Captain Cheires, Miss Cousins and others. Kansas was represented by Mr.

Westover and Mrs. Kate M. Whiting. At the evening session Miss Willard de-. livered an address home protection.

Addresses were also delivered by Chapin, of South Carolina, and Rev. John Russell, of Michigan. The proceedings of Friday were highly Interesting, a very large audience being in attendance. A colored delegate from Mississippi declared that negroes of the south were in favor of prohibition. Mrs.

Mary Lathrop of Michigan, said that "constitutional prohibition" was the watchword in her state. Daniels, president of the Maryland State Temperance Alliance, said that in his state it was local option or prohibition, and it was confidently expected that at the next election the question of prohibition would be submitted to the people, and Baltimore would give a big majority for prohibition. Delegates from many other states brought in the most favorable reports concerning the growth of the cause of temperance, after which the committee on resolutions made the following report "All questions of a national character belong to the party within the several states and territories to define its views, policy, and action respecting them not inconsistent with the national platform. We declare in favor of the following national principles and measures to be incorporated in the national constitution and enforced by congress and the government. I.

The prohibition, as public crimes, of the importation, exportation, manufacture, sale, and supply of all alcoholic beverages. 2. The prohibition of all taxation, license, regulation, or legal sanction in any form, or of any other public crimes. 3. The civil and political equality and" enfranchisement of woman.

This is a nonpartisan reform, and so far as it concerns the states severally is remitted to the party in those states. 4. The abolition of polygamy..