Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-02-14

| ~ For the SPECTATOR
Local option.
EDITs IEcrAToR viii you please in
sert th wing in your valuable paper for
fhe inf Ition Of those interested On the sub
iect of al Option
THE5hRGIrIA LoCAL-oPTIoN ALLIANCE.
/. HsAno political designs.
1t nt4bers men of all parties and classes,
and is ,ieking solely a reform which no party
desiri1M the good of the people can oppose.
for the ieform advocated against any and all
political parties, and upon whatever field may
oe neeksary; We do not seek. but will not
3. It i strictly a local Option Alliance.
Whasis to be forbidden and what allowed,
shall be determined by each community for it.
SELF
8. 1t is purely Firginio movement.
Its president man known to all our citi-
zens, twice Governor OF the State. for sixteen
years our representative in Congress, and one
who fought his way up from colonelcy to a
major generaship after he had reached an age
which exempted him from all military SER
v ce, is son of Virginia, tried and found true
in all her trials
The Executive Committee, County Vice.
Presidents, ar other officers, are all represent
alive men and thoroughly identified with our
people.
4. The movement is not fanatical.
If any one will take. the pains to read the
names of those enlisted in its management this
will be apparent. Learned judges, practical
men of business. experienced legislators, and
substantial citizens-such as these cannot be
cried down as fanatics.
s. The Alliance has come for a purpose, and
it has come to stay until that purpose be ac-
thousands of our citizens, and advocates 8
cause which must inevitably triumph.
WHAT Is LOCAL OPTION?
The Roanoke Times thus defines it:
Simply, a Local Option law s one which
leaves it to the voters, instead of judge, tt
decide upon the propriety OF granting iran lcens.
not a crusade against any man or class of men
If you think that we can dispense with bar
rooms. then you are Local Optionist. If yor
think that bari room is essential to keep the
people sober and is promotive of temperance
in living, and II you think that more mer
would be drunkards if bar-rooms were dis
pensed with then you cannot be said to be 6
Local Optionist. II you think that the major
ity ought to rule in matters affecting the peo
pie, and that the disinterested voters-thost
a right to have say, then you will vote FOL
Local Option. If, however, you belong to thai
cuniary profit from license system, ought t.
boss the majority, without allowing them Il
open their mouths, then, my lord, you are no
a Local Optionist Under which king?
The purposes of Local Option are not merce
nary 1t is not the aim of any man, who sup
ports the movement, to make money out of it
fend them against an insidious foe, which il
licensed by the State to fill the hearts of moth
ers with the harass1ng fear that their sons may
be led by it to sacrifice self respect and become
trenu GUS debauchees, or that the.hushands o
their daughters may become fOnder of the bar
room and its belongings than of home and it
influences.
Petitions will be circulated this week in thu
city, and every citizen who favors the move
ment will have an opportunity to sign them
asking for general law; also special law Civ
ing to the vo.ers of our city the privilege t.
vote upon the question. meeting will b.
held shortly to organize an Alliance for thu
city.
Persons who will interest themselves in get
ting signers can secure petition by calling OF
the undersigned.
+. w. NEWTON, v. P S. A.