Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1901-03-22
tCommunicatedJ
AN APPEAL.

EDITOR VA. CITIZEN:
On February oath, 1886, l first
beheld the light of day. l was born
in Lancaster county, Va. / have
been proud of the Old Dominion and
still remain so. / have also been
proud of my old native county-Lau-
caster-but, when | beheld the names
of prominent citizens and church
members as l see them in Your
recent issues endorsing the liquor
traffic to such All extent as to call an
election to put out of existence the
local option law, the benefits and bles-
sings of which we have enjoyed for
so long, it made me feel very sad and
dow hearted. Although we know
well enough that the local option
law has been violated to some extent
this is the case with many others of
our very best laws, even those
against murder and stealing for in
stance. Though they are violated
no man yet has ever been known in
any civilized land to advocate the
legalizing of murder and stealing
But here, as to this traffic, which is
the greatest source of crime and
misery on earth-murder, stealing,
falsehood, loaded prisons, paupers,
starved aud outraged wives, moth
ers and children-they say legalize
it aud make law to foster and in
crease 1T that it may flourish and
grow. And now we find that for the
sake of giving it more strength and
favor with the people numbers of
our good citizens and church men,
bers have been begulled into endors-
ing it and helping it along by the
talk of high license, when there is no
such a law as high license law in
this State. Certainly not as appli-
cable to this county. Pray, who are
to bring about the high license if it
can be obtained? The promoters of
the whiskey traffic in this county?
Is not this question to be dealt with
by the legislature? Is that body now
in session? Do these advocates of the
traffic propose to run oyer to Rich
mond and fix up this high license
for us? And then even if they pos
sessed such great influence and pow
er with the Virginia legislature, does
any one for a moment suppose they
would so work against themselves?
Only let the people give them the
privilege TO sell whiskey and then
what will become of your high license
flattery? Oh, .shame! shame.! upon
this county! In view of such things
my heart is filled with sadness, and,
while take great pride in my dear
old native county, | blush for shame
when think Of her from the pres.
ent standpoint.
notice several names on that
wonderful petition which occur
identically the same two or three
times. What sort of wide-open
trick is this? Isn't such thing
a fraud and a cheat against the
law. Hasn't our Judge the right and
power to pronounce it fraud and
revoke the whole thing and call off
the election? i am not posted on
tecbnicalities of law but our officials
should be; therefore, ask the ques
ton. | notice it is often the case
when anyone is indicted for violating
the law that great care is req uired
III drawing up the papers against the
person indicted or the case will either
be dismissed or long continuances
granted; thereby bringing on great
expense in connection with trial to
have it exact, or no go. Hence
ask is there any exception to this
question above and beyond all others?
i am curious to know. Again, will
high license prohibit? Will there
not be the opportunity then for
speak-easies, or whatever you may
wish to call them? If there are
speak-easies now the law is certainly
violated, but not more so than to run
them if there be high license; but
some say the parties having the Ii
cense will see to it that the law is
carried out. What bluff upon a
civilized people! If the license
should be so high that only two
or three can get it will it
not be very easy for those two
or three persons to have speak-eas-
les themselves scattered about and
run by hirelings, just as they are
now, If there are any? Let these people
who know think. What will be the
difference between violating the law
then and now? Ny dear friends,
have no malice or hatred in this mat
ter to any one that may differ from
me; butt do to the fullest extent,
in fear of God, detest the liquor
traffic / haliaun and fna. 49, IL