1896 Prohibition Party Platform

  We the members of the Prohibition party, in National Convention assembled, renewing our acknowledgement of allegiance to Almighty God as the Rightful Ruler of the Universe, lay down the following as our declaration of political purpose:

PLATFORM

  The Prohibition party, in National Convention assembled, declares its firm conviction that the manufacture, exportation, importation and sale of alcoholic beverages has produced such social, commercial, industrial, and political wrongs, and is now so threatening the perpetuity of all our social and political institutions that the suppression of the same by a National party organized therefor, is the greatest object to be accomplished by the voters of our country, and is of such importance that it, if right, ought to control the political actions of all our patriotic citizens until such suppression is accomplished.

  The urgency of this cause demands the union without further delay of all citizens who desire the prohibition of the liquor traffic; therefore,

  Resolved, That we favor the legal prohibition by State and National  legislation of the manufacture, importation, exportation, and interstate transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages; that we declare our purpose to organize and unite all the friends of prohibition into one party, and in order to accomplish this end we deem it but right to leave every Prohibitionist the freedom of his own convictions upon all other political questions, and trust our representatives to take such action upon other political questions as the change occasioned by prohibition and the welfare of the whole people shall demand.