Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-17
The LocaLOpttOu Movements.
RICHMOND, June IL, 1883.
D the Editor of the Dispatch

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
Your Sundays issue contains the an
nouncement, "Nearly2 2, 600 already down
in favor OF local-option election" There
can be no objection to the people voting
for what they want, for this is "govern-
ment OF the people, by the people, and
for the people" The only question with
me is the advissbility of the step at the
present juncture Of affairs. To lose
| Virginia and the election of Cleveland
and Thurman would be calamity to this
whole country. Now, 1 am tenn
perance man and local-option-
ist. Then, too. l am Democrat
"born Democrat, reared
Democrat, and though l should live to
the age OF Methuselah l would die a
Democrat, and will never by tongue,
pen, word, or deed throw any obstacles
in the way, for 1 am firmly persuaded
that the temperance reform is destined
TO 90 forward with accelerated progress
until it becomes universal Whether
we look at the simplicity Of the princi-
pie on which it rests and its adaptation
to all classes of society, or whether We
consider it as involved in the universal
triumph of the cause Of truth and virtue
which is insured to us by the promise OF
the good God, or whether we view the
rapidity Of its progress in the past, and
reason from the past to the future, or,
finally, whether we look at the indirect
influences which it e1erts on the i'm
provement and happiness of man, we are
I - =. Il - he
that tits destined prevail whereverthere
are human beings to be brought under
its influence. Now, my brethren, why
imperil cause go good and just? Why
not wait until more propitious season ?
| When we take into consideration the
comparative weight and worth, and pre-
valent influential power Of character and
position, asarrayed on the two sides this
question, there is not room for a doubt
tina, resolved, timely, and persevering
effort, made with an energy and devotion
such as the merits of the case would am
ply justify, would triumph over every
obstacle and lay the stern interdict Of
law on this business of license. Let us
bide our time. All things come to those
who wait
"For time at last sets all things even,
And IL We do but watch n o hour,
There never yet was human power
That could evAde, II unfOrRiyen,
The patient search and vigil long
OF him who treasures up wrong"
TITS true that one hundred and sixty
three liquor dealers have paid their Ii
censes in coupons; It's true they pro-
missed to pay in money It's true that
20 fe No from than
tits true it is charged that temperance
folks are fanatics. So was Martin Luther,
so was the Paris mob, so was Washington
and Patrick Henry. IT'S true it is
charged that it is the offspring OF Puri-
tanism." Yankee parentage." So was
abolition and yet people down here say, |
after they got aspanking about it, "that |
it was all right glad of 1t; wouldn't |
have it again" never said that yet, |
and / never will IT'S true that it is
urged by many that local-option would |
involve an invasion of certain Just |
rights and liberties. This business has |
so long enjoyed legal protection that it
now claims to be regarded as pre-emi
nently and inherently lawful bust
ness. A lawful business it undoubt-
edly IS while protected by law. |
But its only defence is in the sta
tute on which by the grace of the peo-
pie it is permitted to lean. 1t Is so nomi !
mated in the bond. Let 1t be once strip |
ped of this Fictitious protection and it
stands naked and glaring nuisance,
deserving beyond any other to be in
stantly and Indignantly chased from the
haunts OF men. Now all that ask is to
wait. This is my cause as well as yours.
You must not run our canoe over Ma
CARA. To defeat us in the cities hurts us
in the country. Every vote in Novem-
Der is a vote lost to Democracy. for you
know that the colored man is as wet as a
drowned rat, and votes every time, con-
found him! Respectfully,
JOSEPH ii. SHEPHERD.