Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1900-06-21

pA%stJc t1E yAAA 0testo AAtoctioEs We
have q temperate community; we
have 8 city of homes, schools and
churches, and l ann authorized to bid
you ahearty and cordial welcome and
formally, an in osden times, present
you with the keys to the city--alI OF
the keys TO all Of Mexico's institu-
tions, except three. While this is q
most temperats community, Mexico
has three high licensed saloons, which
we think not bad showing, In view
Of the fact that we have town Of
over 5000 people with g largely pop
ulated country tributary to IL.
Mexico IL not drinking town as Of
old; We formerly had at least twice as
many saloons and much more drum
kpnness. I do not believe we have to-
day what 10 commonly known as a
drunkard in Audrain county. The
whiakey business here is steadily grow
Ing Ices profitable. One by one our
saloons have gone out Of business;
our people have quit drinking This
is the way to close the saloons.
Drinking whiskey is not 60 popular as
1t used 70 be; 1t Is not 20 respectable.
You cannot hold q first-clsss job II
you drink; you cannot go into coed
society If you drink; 60, young men,
appreciate the fact that drinking
whiskey does not pay.
The business sentiment, as we'll
as the moral and religious feel
ing, is arrayed against drinking, and
grand temperance results are in
evideHce.
| While the people Of Mexico do not
belong to the Prohibition party they
are In hearty accord with your oppo-
sition to intemperance and, regardless
Of party affiliations, will take great
Interest In your deliberations, and
sincerely hope you will have q pleas
ant and profitable convention.
Mexico has splendid reputation as
Q convention city, and we are all
snxioEs that you should be well
pleased with our town, its people and
It's institutions. We are especially
solicitous along this line, az Mexico 10
the home of o. q. Stokes, chairman
OF your State Committee, who is
most highly respected by all Of our
people. Your chairman is a young
man Of sterling worth, who, in an un-
selfish, manly way devotes bis life to
the principles OF your party; he 10 not
contentious, but modest and persis-
tent In bis labors in behalf OF the
party and commands the respect and
enjoys the esteem Of all who know
him, whether they endorse the prin-
cipIes Of his party or not.
The memberf of the Prohibition party
especially delegates to the convention,
who spend their time and money
for the good Of the cause without
hope Of reward, are held in high re-
gard by the public generally, and we
are proud to have convention oi
such men as our guests. You can
have no hope Of ofsice or emolument
Is often incites those most active in
the councils of the two great parties;
and you, OF course, from time to
time, become discouraged, but not
cast down when you find members Of
your own party voting with some
other party In order to defeat some
man for some office, or elect some
man for some other office, losing sight
Of the great principles for which you
are fighting. In this connectionlI de-
sire to say that, in my judgment, there
10 much to encourage all who are
fighting intemperance, and there is nc
question in my mind that intemper-
ance 10 largely on the decrease, not
only in Mexico and Missouri, but
throughout the whole United States,i
not throughout the world. Much Of
the credit Of this grand reform, with
out . doubt, should be given to the
noble minded and intelligent men Of
your party.
Ths Prohibition party may never be In
power; you may never hold an office
or maks the laws Of the land, but II
the extent that your influence pre-
walls sgainst intemperance you will
not have IabOrsd In vain.
We hope and pray that your meet
ing here this week viii be productive
of intelligent results for the cause o
temperance.
AsI said before, the Mayor ant
people OF Mexico, through your hum.
BILE servant, not only extend Il
you cofiial welcome to our mids
but wish yen God-speed In your nobl'
and glorious work. We trust tina
your deliberations will be temperate
along intelligent lines, and that yoV
may ever remember your meeting Il
Mexico as one that you not only en-
joyed, but that was productive Of sub
tantIal, lasting results for the cause o
temperance and sobriety.
4. c. TURNER'S ADDRESS.
On behalf OF the Prohibitionists o
Audrain County, Mr. H. O. Turne
said;
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
men: Mr.. White has extended h
you > hearty welcems on behalf 0
the citizens of Mexico. Now, l an
authorized to tell you something yo
already know that the local Prohibi
| tionisEs are delighted to have you d
, their midst, and to welcome you wit
. hand and heart. We love you 70
what you stand for In the politics
world-the fetal destruction, root an
branch, Of the liquor traffic. w
agree with yoe that u is the most i'm
portant political question before tn
American voter, because IL destroy
more homes, breaks more heartI
makes more widows and orphan
and sends more people to hell tina
: any other one thing.
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