Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-08
Mr.. Charles MiIIhiser Replies.


As "Droy" in his Sunday letter Of
the 4th instant has put wrong con-
struction upon certain remarks | made
at q late meeting, and seeks to convey
the impression that I insinuated that
leading church-members in the Cham
Der of Commerce, etc., are hypocrites,
take occasion to say that if had
been fully reported it would be seen
that | paid q compliment, not only to
the commercial bodies, but to those
"pillars of the church " who are asso-
ciated with them. know the business
men Of Richmond too well, esteem
them too highly, am too much identi-
fled with them, to cast any reflection
upon them whatever, and | now dis
claim ever having intentionally or
otherwise made such reflection; but
when it comes to active opposition to
prohibition | am not afraid to show my
hand. The remarks which made
were from a purely business stand
point. do not deal in liquor, but |
feel deeply interested in the general
welfare, prosperity, and growth of
Richmond. / have as high regard
for church-members as for
those that are not, but | do not
think church people are any better than
other people who have principle and
character. "Droy" says SIT is an
old trick for people engaged in ques-
tionable undertaking to secure by some
means or other an endorsement Of their
course by people whose standing is
higher" l think "Droy" ought to be
too good church.member to cast such
a slur upon the entire class Of liquor
dealers, who stand as we'll in this CON-
munity as any other class Of business
men, besides their business is not as
questionable as the dealing in fu-
lures or gambling in stock. Droy"
also says 1.-THE Church has no greater
enemy outside than the rumseller, and
no worse friend inside than the rum
sucker" The latter clause Of this sem
tence may be true, and i would recon-
mend to "Droy that if he will under
take the reformation Of the rumsuckers
in the Church the rumsellers outside
will be as harmless as doves. Prohi-
bition is wrong in principle, and its
adoption here would drive many Of our
merchants out Of business or cause
them to remove to other cities,
and many others in various
branches of trade would be deprived
of their occupation, Richmond would
lose in wealth, population, and power.
and the Church would not be the
gamer. l deprecate mentioning the
Church in this communication, as |
have only the kindest feelings towards
all of our churches but the question
has been forced upon me, and as l &C.
cord to them watchfulness over my
spiritual welfare in the Church, aud
acknowledge the right Of temperance
societies to swear off" and to reform
all inebriates Withn their temples, |
also claim for myself the personal rights
and liberties accorded me in this free
and enlightened country. When ]
want a drink and have the money
to pay for it I will buy it
when get &" drunk as lord" punish
me for it. The "locsl-option let
tiers which have so far been published
whether Intentionally or mott are doing
all they can to make this city dull,
dead, slow provincial town. They ridi-
cule the business depression and want
of confidence in trade as matters only
Of dollars and cents, forgetting that the
Church is maintained by this filthy
lucre." and that the profession Of
preaching is as much bust
ness and is as we'll paid for
as any other occupation. 1t is
strange how some men who are
almost too good for this world will
look with holy horror upon saloon,
but at the same time will 60 several
blocks out OF the way to find the rear
Of the hotel bar. Far better for any
community to have public saloons than
to drink on the sly, or to allow the
secret use Of opium, laudanum, NOR
pbine, or other dangerous drugs.