Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-05


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81. That the system of license and safe
OF intoxicating liquors Is contrary 10 p"
triotism, morals. and good government.
"2. That we, Disciples OF Christ, pledge
ourselves. by word, example. and vote
to seek its speedy and permanent sup
preston"
Had the Church put her convicuons
into the ballot-box this horrible business
would have been destroyed years ago
Is the Church which passes ringing reso-
iutions against the saloon IN ner oon
ferences and conventions one body, ana
at the ballot-box another body?
Prohibit by law this destructive and
devllish business, which is now sustained
and protected by law. Divert into the
useful and really legitimate channels OF
trade the 81 10000 deposited annually III
the saloons, and in one year all OF tne
BUSINESS interests in our State Will feel
the rcnovltfny DO yer. The merchant. me
chanic farmer. lumber dealer furniture
manufact jrer, doctor, lawyer, tanner
brick maker, blacksmith. wheelwrlsnt,
school-teach'r, editor, and preacher VIII
all rejoice In the increased material pros
perity of our grand old Commonwealth.
Let II be published and proclaimed to the
pecrle III t We give the rum-sellers % Tor
every dollar spent for furniture; that we
give the lidIor dealers 50 for every doilar
spent for boots and shoes; that our clli-
zens spend three Zines as much TOT Wits
key as they do -four, that they give nine
timc5 as much to the saloons as
they 90 to the Church; that they spend
in rum seven tirles more than tney uo
i'm public education; that for every dohar
donated for foreign missions they spehu
500 in whiskey shopsl
fu tt.. in
but II does not include the misery ana
suffering and wretchedness and woe OF
the thousands who go down to a drunk
ards grave and hell every year. IL does
not include the widows and orphans
whose groans and agonies no tongue can
tell; no pen fully describe. Noble man
hood beautiful womanhood, innocent
childhood. are worth more than the reve-
nue. derived from licensing the liquor
saloons. the antechambers OF hell; worm
more than gold and silver; yes, worm
more than gold ard silver combined iou
properly, wisely, and truly make the pro
hibition of the liquor trafic the indii
issue.
Your pl1tform Justly calls for a repeal
of the present election laws, ana demanus
the enactment Of such laws as shall IN
SIRE to every citizen the certainty OF
casting his ballot for the candidate OF MS
choice and Of having his ballot counted
as cast.
7 stand for honest election laws, and
nrotest as T have been doing for years
from the pulpit and everywhere. against
the use of money and whskey with wnich
to bribe and buy voters, and carry eiec-
tions for political parties. Such methous
are mean. contemplate, and unlawful
They debauch our citizens. corrupt So
ciety, and make men fit subjects LOT the
commune.
am in favor Of the reduction Of taxes.
Retronchment and reform are impera-
lively demanded by the people. Let men
he elected to the Legislature pledged
10 the enacting Of such laws as will give
the people relief from the onerous taxa
ton now imposed.
The public free schools should be well
sustained. The school terms should De
extended. We should encourage ana los
ter these schools, and educate in them
our boys and girls for useful cltlZehs'
We should prohibit the saloons, and posi-
lively refuse to educate our children III
these schools of vice and crime
As TO the currency question, IL Is IL us
tinctly NATIONAL issue. Your urterance on
this subject expresses conservative view
and convictions, which could be embodied
in the laws for the good Of the people as
their needs require, and so far as legls-
latiou can be helpful to the cftiZens.
The permanence and prosperity OF our
government require more stringent imml-
grant laws Let foreigners remain some
wears in our country. and become ac.
ouainted with the spirit and genius Vi
our government and its institutions De
fore they are allowed to become natural
lied citizens. ,.-o,
am IN favor OF government controi
of railroads. strect-car Tires, telegraphs'
and Telephones. administered in the ihte-
rest of the people.
firmly believe that the Punishment
of the legalized liquor-trafhc VIII dimih-
ish crime and poverty; will greatly IN
crease the material prosperity ana
moral interests of our fellow-citizens;
will promote the cause Of truth ana
righteousness. And so, j hold In my
hand the pure white banner or the FRO
hibltion party-on one side bearing the
nroud motto of our State, "Sic Semper
Tvrannis." and the battle-cry, Down
with the Saloons" and on the other
emblazoned with the words, For Goa
and Home and Old Virginia"
am. gentlemen. gratefully and re-
spectfully yours IL. A CULLEN