Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1894-10-05
COLD WATER ADVOCATES RALLY
PROHIBITION MEETING HELD IN
THE COURT HOUSE.

Geo. II. Burhham, Who Has Been En-
dorsed, Talks Some Approved Re-
publicanism-MaiOr westall Gives
some Facts and Talks Very Plainly.
The Prohibition rally at the court
house last evening was not very largely
attended, but there were some interest
ing talks. The meeting was called to
order by ]. !. Hill and opened with
prayer BY Rev. J.C. McReynolds of the
Christian church.
The first speaker was Col. W. D. JUS
tice. who thought it would probably be
advantageous to reverse the usual order
Of praying for prohibition and voting
against it. He gave numerous statistics
on the subject and thought it would be
a good thing for prohibition if some of
those who oppose it would try to con-
trovert some of the facts-then there
would be more opportunity for argu.
ment.
Chairman Hill supplemented Col. JUS
tice's talk with few remarks, and then
Geo. H. Burnham. the Prohibition car
didate with Republican endorsement)
for the legislature, was called. Mr..
Burnham gave a leaf from his personal
history as a preface, saying that at the
age OF 25 he had awakened to the true
appreciation of the terrible effects Of
drink. He thought nothing could be
done for prohibition so long as the pres
ent system of county government stood.
In endorsing him, he said, the Republi
cans had not asked him to sacrifice one
principle. because they knew he wouldn't
do it. He was not afraid of any whis-
key trust. He denounced a system
whereby two or three men could ap-
point the justices OF the peace for the
State" There were black slaves in 1860,
but in 1894. he said, there were black
and white slaves. Even women were
sent to the chain gang and made to use
a shovel and pick, and it they were un-
thought more of Thos. W. Patton than
ever when he established The Reforma.
tory. He alluded to Judge Thos. A.
Jones recommendation that stripes
should be placed upon felons only. and
closed with protest against indiscrimi-
nate immigration.
Maj. T. c. Wtstall. the Prohibition
candidate, was the closing speaker, and
he made vigorous speech, saying some
words that must have lett a deep i'm
preston in certain quarters. He had
not been "cndorscd," but he would be
on the 9th Of Novembcr-ard he added
"and then III be proud of the endorse
ment." He was not gratifying anv am
bition, but was old enough to battle for
principle. The Major read resolution
which he had proposed at the meeting
for coalition in lulv. In pretacing it he
said:
81 said to them Now, this fusion
business, that you are trying to force on
the prohibitionists. can be fixed up in
short ordcr-just by your adopting, by
acclamation. whereas and resolution
that have formulated for this occasion,
and that l now offer on the part of the
Prohibitionists of Buncombe county as
sine qua non and as our ultimatum on
fusion:
"Whcreas, The liquor traffic is foe to
civilization, the arch enemy to popular
government, the manufactorv OF crimi-
mails, legalized suicide to the State. 1t is
the citadel of the forces that corrupt poll
tics. Its forces promote poverty among
the masses. degrading the nations home
life, thwarting the will of the people by
delivering our country into the hands OF
rapacious class interests. The liquor
traffic, all along the path of life from the
cradle to the grave, brings up to our
ears Il cry from humanity-and the cry
of humanity is always the trumpet call
OF God-and we hear the voice today
and harden not our hearts; therefor c
be it
Resolved, That we declare for the en-
tire suppression of the manufacture, sale
importation, expectation and transpor
tation of alcoholic liquors as beverage
by federal and state authorities, ald
that the foil powers Of the government
be exerted to secure this result. AND
furtherfore, that any political party OF
any candidate for public office refusing
or failing to pledge against business sc
vicious in principle and so damning il
results. is undeserving our support"
This was never adopted. How they
did dislike me for introducing it." th'
Major said. "That is the reason they
did not endorse me. If cannot 20 te
the legislature on my principles, let mi
never go!" He closed with a suggestion
that both old parties would better re
pent.
The meeting closed with benedictiol
by Rev. ]. r. Cannon OF the First NJ. E
church.
Instrumental music was furnished b,