The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-02-08
GRADY'S GREAT SPEECH.
A FORMIDABLE ARRAY OF FACTS FOR
PROHIBITION.
A Strong Appeal to Our Kinder Feel.
ings and our Better Natures, with
out Giving Cause for Offence to
Any Who May Differ in Opinion.


Any Who May Differ in Opinion.
In the recent contest in the city of
Atlanta, Hon. H. w. Grady made
the following address, which is so full
of the milk of human kindness for all
mankind, and which presents the
cause that he espouses with so much
force, that we feel sure that every
reader of the Press and Banner will
thank us for reproducing it in these
columns The question is discussed
from so high plane that even those
who may differ in opinion will re-
spect him for his earnestness, and
honor him for the fairness with which
he has presented his cause, which is
now as much our cause as it was his,
when he delivered the speech:
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
take it for granted that Atlanta is in
earnest tonight. l am Informed that
there is a ten-cent circus, a dog show, a
drama, and two patent medicine shows
in the city, any one Of which / would
rather be attending than here listening to
myself talk. [Loaughter.] Your pres
ence here convinces me that you have
determined to put aside pleasure tonight
for business. [Applause.l Will you
pardon me now, one word of personal
explanation? alone am responsible for
what I say here tonight. I. have mot
attended a prohibition meeting and am
not acquainted with the details or theory
of a prohibition campaign. My views
on high license are we'll understood.
They prevented me from an active par
icipation in the last campaign. and made
me slow to reach an opinion in this, but L
have reached that opinion in sincerity,
and you shall have it in frankness. Ap-
plause.] One word more. I have no
personal ambition. 1 have no political
ambition, but were consumed with 1t,
and did I live to see it's swift and perfect
fruition, should still despise myself if
had put your generous enthusiasm to
its use tonight, or had shirked my duty
that might further it.
speak with but one object. More con-
cerned am I that, having always fought
with Atlanta united, appear tonight to
be with the faction. But my heart is
whole for her and speak in love Of her
without enmity to one human being, as
far as know, within her limits. APP
plause.] I utter conviction so profound
and deliberate that to leave it unexpress-
ed were as cowardly as to deny it when
questioned on it.
Now, I shall speak in perfect good
humor, criticiZing no mans action and
impugning no mans motive. Atlanta
has serious problem to settle. If she
reaches its conclusion in rancor and Bit
terness she will suffer, and this cause will
suffer, no matter which side may triumph.
If she reaches it soberly, thoughtfully
and deliberately, her people, honest, in
telligent and reunited in her service, will
enfore your victory if you win it, and
mitigate the evils you fear if the opposi-
ton should win. [Applause.] I have
two points to make tonight. want to
make them with such conference as can
command, and beg your patience and
attention.
I believe that prohibition should be
tried for two years longer.
Second, because this trial, imperfect
and brief as it has been, is demonstra-
BILE success. [Applause.l
In discussing these two points shall
not attempt to comprehend the general
principles Of prohibition nor indeed to
commit myself to it. We are wisely left
under our local option law to settle this
question for ourselves. Ispeak tonight
about Atlanta to Atlantians, about an ex-
pertinent that is given us, it may be of
God. to settle; and am sure that if 1 can
show you it has not had fair trial and
that its imperfect trial has proved sue
cessful, that even MIR. Jefferson Davis
forhe knows that personal liberty and
where public injury begins-eyen would
say, 'let this trial be extended for the
good it has wrought among the people
love" [Applause.] The basic prin-
ciple of government is, and has been since
the lowly Nazarine walked this earth,
t'the greatest good to the greatest num-
ber."
Now, has prohibition had fair trial in
Atlanta? [Cries of no, no.] 1t was passed
bya bare majority; it was two months
before that majority was legally declared,
there were licenses extending about ten
months-nearly half of it's probation
there was organized resistance to its en-
forcement; every step that was taken was
experimental ; there was not door closed
nor a fine entered and collected except by
slow process of law. Every defense was
exhausted and the cause had to fight with
new mashinery, with undisciplined
forces, and with half Of its time consum-
ed with unexpired licenses. Ihave heard
many men ay-anti-prohibitioni
81 would give half arm worth if prohi-
bition would really prohibit" Is there
any fair-minded business man who would
commit himself to business venture in
yolving half he was worth and would
abandon that venture at the close of such
q trail as prohibition has had, and say cit
won't work?" Is there any business
man who would do that in his own busi-
ness ? Is there any business man who
hears mo tonight who believes, in the
full sense demanded by the importance
of the subject, that prohibition has had
fail trial in Atlanta? am satisfied that
there is not one. 1t has barely begun it's
work! has barely establihed the first
premise of the grand demonstration to
which 1 believe, in Gods mercy, it is
committed And yet you talk about
stopping it here because it has been prov
ed that prohibition won't prohibit. If it
has not had fair trial, ought wei not to
give it longer trial? Was there ever
a city charged with SO tremendous apro-
blcIn as this? Whether or not it is better
for men in large cities to live under pro-
hibition whether it is possible that men
III large cities may reap the undeniablc
advantages OF tho prohibition of the
liUur traffic, it is not too snuch to say
America waits on the answer atlanta