Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-03-07
The Principles end Purposes Of an ANTI
Saloon League

As the pTin ciples and purposes of an Anti
Saloon League, such as has been rec emily
organized in our county are not thoroughly
understood by some of our good citizens a
committee, consisting of the undersigned.
were appointed at n recent meeting of the
League 10 set forth briefly what the League
is rs an organization, what it aims to accom-
piisb, and by what methods it proposes to
effect its object.
The League is a combination of the tenn
perance sentiment of the people of COM
munity, as it is found in the churches and
out of the churches, which is both a moral
and religious sentiment. The League is ex-
pected to look for most of its support to the
churches, as in them we naturally expect to
lind the most pronounced opposition to the
evils of intemperance. The churches aid the
League in its work in behalf OF the cause of
temperance. only so far as they furnish
members TO the organization and express
their sympathy and support of the move
ment. The League concerns itself not with
party politics, but with the morals of ma
tional, State and municipal government,
solely with reference to the liquor traffic
and we claim that it is the province of a
church tospeak out clearly and emphatical-
ly against any moral evil. and TO urge her
members TO combine for its overthrow.
The League regards the saloon as moral
evil. and its motto is. "The Saloon Must
Go" So the clearly defined purpose of the
League is the Punishment of the saloon.
If as in Jefferson county, the saloon le-
gally exists, the League purposes to remove
that right of its existence, on the principle
that no business that is altogether evil in its
nature, and only evil in its fruits. should be
upheld by civil statute.
In the meantime, before this ultimate pur-
pose is accomplished, the League exerts
itself towarda rigid enforcement of the laws
regulating the conduct of saloons;for exampe
the law against selling to minors, the Sun
day law, &c, yet ali the time working up
toward the abolition of the saloon.
In county where law prohibiting the
saloon exists, the unlawful sale of strong
drink is Zealously watched by the League
and it eagerly seeks to enforce the law
against it.
The methods pursued by the League for
the accomplishment of this endmust always
be lawful and morally right 1t seeks right
ends by right means. 1t seeks to make the
people see and realize the enorInity of the
saloon evil; it carries on campaign of edu-
| cation; it engenders temperance enthusi-
asm; and while the League disclaims any
purpose whatever to further the interests of
any new or existing political party, yet
maintains it to be inconsistent, with the
principles herein set forth, to support can
didate OF any party whose pFerogatives ms an
officer can be used in the support of the sa-
loon, and who is known to be favorable to
the liquor traffic.
Our League, as an organization of law
abiding citizens, earnestly requests the CO.
operation of all the people of all parties, and
of all religious and moral organizations, in
order to protect and elevate our homes, our
fellow citizens and the good name and repu-
tation of Jefferson county.
l.. II. MELBOURNE,
RUAIsEY SSIITHsoN,
THOMAS H. Buck,
JOHN l KEARFoTT,
ERNEST E. OsGooD.