Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-15
JASPER'S FLOCK.
TEEY GATHER AT Sixth MOUNT ZION
10 HEAR TEMPERANCE TALK.
The Parson Absent -speech from Edgar
Allan, Esq.-scenes and Incidents
Of the Meeting, &C.

chts opened ABOUT o.lo CioSh, ous
long before that time every seat II the
commodious edi6ce, main room and
galleries, was occupied, and the aislss
were crowded. There were both white
and colored people, and male aud
female. In the audience were also
number Of members Of the Liquor
Dealers Protective Association. The
majority Of the people. and particularly
the colored ones, were much disap-
pointed that Rev. John Jasper did not
appear.
WHERE Is BRER' JASPER?
Expressions could be heard from
every quarter, such as II want to
know what Jasper has got to say.
want TO hear from him. Whar is be ?"
Others would say, :" knew Jasper
would not come" Upon inquiry of
one of the elders the reporter was told
that Jasper seldom ever went out a;
hight.
The meeting was called to order by
the sexton. who stated that last Sun
day the church was rendered to the
Local Option Committee, and that he
wanted the people assembled to re-
member that they were not in the
Theatre, but in house Of God, and
that they must not laugh and carry on,
but behave themselves, for according
to their behavior they would have to
account to their Maker.
At the sexton's request the basket
was handed around for contributions,
and while this was being done the con-
gregation struck up" In the Sweet By
and By" and hundreds Of voices join
ed in the chorus, making the walls ring
with music.
OLIVER AS A ROMAN.
John Oliver called the meeting to
order, and introduced Edgar Allan,
ESQ.,. as the speaker Of the evening. He
said that be came to hear and 10 learn
something about local option, and that
he believed in people doing " in Rome
as Romans do" lie said that as tax
payer be never was a red-hot tenn
perance-man. There must be something
in this question Of local option. as it is
stirring up the people Of all sections,
both white and cOlored.
Mr. Oliver was very careful not to
commit himself TO either wet" or
" dry" but was in favor Of having il
discussed.
John Cooley Mr.. Oliver. you got
up there TO introduce Mr.. Allan-not
to speak yourself.
John Oliver We all know who you
are. Take your seat.
Several colored men Yes. do so.
Mr.. ALLAN.
Mr. Allan now came came forward
10 the pulpit and said
Ladies and Gentlemen.-l do not
think there is a man present here but
knows what are the issues OF this con-
test"
Just here the speaker was interrupted.
Hold on there, Mr.. Allan, said the
sexton and, pointing his hand 70 the
gallery, be said " Get out Of that win
dow" And to another /" Get off that
bench, you big large man. ! am going
10 have order. Stop that laughing in
The gallery"
Mr. Allan then wen, on exp aiming
the object OF local option. lie stated how
the bill was introduced in and passed
by the General Assembly last winter,
and that the Governor signed it, and
that it was therefore law.
Some one in the audience What
did the Governor say"
Mr. Allan He said that the people
wanted to vote upon it, and that they
had right TO do so.
Mr.. Allan spoke Of the liquor-deal- /
ers requesting the Judge Of the Hust-
iDgs Court 10 order an election, at
which this question is TO be settled as I
soon as possible. He declared that the /
canvass has been conducted by both I
parties in excellent spirit, and that no /
acrimony had as yet entered the con-
test and that no personal denuncistion
had been hurled by one person at an
other.
Said be ! never parade myself be-
fore the public as teetotaller, and
have no hesitancy in saying that like
a glass Of good beer. If the town goes
q" dry" ] must 60 without my beer,
and other people without their whiskey
and wine. When you ask me If | will
vote TO take it away from the people
that don indulge to excess ! say, Yes
there is no middle ground to occupy.
The liquor-men have admitted that
they are wrong. Why, some Of them
are FOR high license.
Mr. Allan said that If the town goes
- dry" no man within the sound Of his
voice would suffer more than he for
during the years that he has been in
the city engaged II the practice Of
criminal law be has had to defend many
persons whose misfortunes were wholly
due TO drinking.
In explaining bis position which be
did al some length Mr.. Allan said that
when q warm personal friend of his
waited upon him and stated that many
Of the liquor-dealers wanted him as
their counsel be did not object to the
use of his name, but be did not expect
to be elected nevertheless he thanked
his friends for the complimentary vote
he cot. If be had been chosen as their
counsel Of course he would not have
taken the stump against them, but be
would certainly have voted against
license. They came 10 him to employ
him as q lawyer. He would have ac-
cepted that position but it would not
have bound his franchise.
Mr. Allan then went on TO argue the
cause of sno license" which he did
with considerable ability. In the
course Of his remarks ne said that the
law does not prohibit the druggist
from selling liquor, for there is pro-
vision on the statute-book that allows
a druggist to sell liquor according to
prescription.
John Cooley: Won't you have to
pay the doctor and the druggist too:
Cries Of =. Sit down. Cooley"
MIR. Allan: Let him alone. / will
A