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

Louisa, Va, September I, 1897.
Messrs. ]. NJ. Rice, II. p. Glasgow, and
j. w. Giles, Committee:
Condemnation letter, notifying me Of
my nomination for the position Of
Governor of Virginia by the Prohibition
convention. assembled I'm Lynchburg on
the Goth OF August. is received.
Allow me TO thank you for the kind
words in which you have been pleased
TO convey TO me the intelligence OF this
honor. 1t is an honor. indeed
for it was unsolicited, and ten
dered without my knowledge and con-
sent. The selecting of me as the leader
of the Prohibition party in the coming
campaign is a distinguished considera-
ton, exciting within my heart grateful
appreciation and emotions which my poor
words can but feebly express. l
seek no civic position; desire no politi-
cal honors, but under the circumstances,
/ do not feel at liberty to decline the
nomination. The terms you employ with
regard to my qualifications and fitness
for this responsible office are too fiat
tering Would that l were worthy of
all you say.
Gentlemen, the principles embodied in
the platform by the convention should
command the thoughtful consideration Of
every voter in the Commonwealth, and
cause him to cast his ballot for the only
party that stands pledged to the ami
hilation OF the liquor traffic The supreme
issue in the campaign is the prohibit
ton and absolute suppression of a bust
ness which causes more injury TO the
race than "war, famine. and pestilence
combined"
''Soon we will have to meet an increase
of nearly 100000 in the interest on our
public debt. Our criminal expenses, already
unbearable, are increasing. and our pub
lie institutions are crying for greater
facilities to care for inmates" So says
the distinguished and honorable gentle
man who is the Democratic candidate
for Governor, and his utterances are sadly
true.
How shall we meet that increase of
interest on our public debt? How are
we to supply greater facilities to care
for the inmates of our public institutions?
What is the chief cause of our criminal
expenses and their increase? Shall we
answer the first two questions by saying:
Increase the taxes? The people OF
Virginia are grooming under taxation
now intolerable, and TO impose additional
taxation will produce a revolution.
The chief cause of our criminal ex-
penses and their increase is the legal
lied liquor traffic. That execrable busi-
ness costs our State 81, 200, 900. For every
dollar paid by the liquor men into the
Treasury of Virginia, the State pays out
four, for criminal prosecutions, main
tenance of the insane, support of the
poor. and education of the ignorant,
whose condition may be traced directly
or indirectly to the drink habit" And
that is only a fraction of the expense
entailed upon the people by the legal
lied saloon.
This hideous monster Is entrenched
behind the laws OF the State Church
resolutions are but the firing of paper
wads into the ranks of the enemy, the
Liquor Dealers associations pass strong
resolutions against intemperance; the
saloon is licensed; the business of sell
ing intoxicating liquors as q beverage
is as lawful as the selling Of dry-goods,
and its legalization makes 1t respecta-
bl, in the estimation Of even some good
men The laws OF our State perpetuate
the iniquity, and protect the saloon as
much as they do our schools our
churches, and our honest Ballots are
the only bullets that will batter down
the strong walls which the laws have
erected as bulwarks OF this infamy.
The General Assembly Of the Presby-
~,
declared: mo political party has right
to expect the support of Christian men
so long as that party stands committed
to the license policy, or refuses TO put
itself on record against saloons"
The General Conference of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church in 1892 declared the
same thing, saying: 1.-THE liquor traffic
is business at once injurious, immoral.
and antagonistic TO every interest of the
proper attitude toward the liquor traffic
is that OF relentless hostility. and all
members OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church who enjoy the elective franchise
should so use that solemn trust as TO
promote the rescue of our country from
the guilt and dishonor which have been
brought upon her by criminal compile
ity with the liquor traffic"
Read these declarations OF the Baptist
Church:
I'VE recognize in the liquor traffic an
enemy with Sataac and appalling force,
menacing the purity OF the Christian
Church, the virtue of society. and the
safety of the government
I'VE favor the speedy and entire pro-
hibition OF the liquor traffic; we oppose
license for this traffic In any and all or
it's forms. through which men buy the
right to destroy human hope and happi-
ness. and to blight human souls. as an
offence against public morals and a sin
against God"
The Virginia Christian Missionary so-