Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-10-07
AND PROHIBITION.
10 Ms Editor Of The Dispatch:

TO ths Editor Of The Dfspotch;
In the Disp0tch OF the Odd instant,
under an editorial entitled 1.-THE Prohibi-
tronists." the usually courteous and
conservative editor fraternally rsps the
patrons Of the white necktie over
the knuckles for taking the stump for
their favorite candidate for President.
&c. Il is due that class OF citizens, OF
whom | am an unworthy member, to
"give reason for the hope that is with
in ms. - aud We thank the noble editor OF
the DjsDdich that 1--WE are permitted
to speak for ourselves" "
ayov that submission to the doc
trine Of the incompatbility Of the pulp
ord professional politics, and profess
little confidence IN the divine recogni-
ton of the so-called political preacher.
The means employed by the average
political stump-spesker are ordinarily OF
a low order in the point OF morals Ito
our shame we speak IT.. and a minister OF
the Gospel cannot participate with them
and retain bis self-respect and his intu-
ence with his people
These propositions are self-ovldent
vet the editOr OF the DipOtch will not
aver that there are occasions in the
mutations Of public affairs that the
Christian ministry can serve their
high calling and FIJI the measure Of their
sscrcd obligations and remain passive
spectators Of current events. There are
times-stIrring, thrilling epOchs-in the
history Of all nations when great moral
ou stiOus are pressed for srbltrament
either by the sword or ballot-b0x, and
the recognized leaders Of the worlds
great conservative forces, the moral and
spiritual guides who " serye at tile altar,
rightly esteem it their bounden DUTY
to sound the tocsin in no uncertain way.
Such, for instance, was the state of
affairs when the great question OF the
perpetuity Of
HUMAN SLAVERY
in North America confronted ne in 1861
for final solution. In every congrega-
ton almost. at every crossroads North
and South, preachers were foremost IN
stirring up the people to arm and tight
IL the cause Of their respective sections
During the bloody conflict the heart of
the soldier was made valiant TO suffer
md die for the cause Of the country by
the presence and approval Of his pastor
Of all this tie editor Of the Dispatch
is not unadvlsod.
Again, during the recent heated politi-
cal agitation growing out Of financial
legislation in this State preachers OF emf
hence, such for example as the Rev. y.
J.. VI. Curry, ID. d.. OF Richmond, can
vassed the State in advocacy Of the prln-
ciple Of payment IN full OF the State 8
obligations.
Other examples might be adduced in
the same line, but these will suffice to
establish orr night and duty TO take part
in the practical solution Of great moral
questions.
We naturally esteem the question Of
the legal prohibition Of eplrituous liquor
as the greatest Of all questions that have
ever appealed to any people OF any age
for solution. Without enumcratlng the
horrors Of the traffic, which are patent
to tho DisDafch, It will suffice to say that
oil the woes that anlict humanity, all the
causes Of human suffering war, famine,
and pcstlencc combined, do not equal
the rayages perpetrated 10y the saloon.
1t is the great octopus that threatens the
destruction Of our civilization, which IS
the grandest fabric that WIS ever con
structei by man. IL is menace to the
perpctuity Of tho institution Of tho
Christian Church. It is great black
cloud Of evil that hangs like o pail over
our otherwise happy land. To counter
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