The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-01

Editor of The Times:
Sir,-Ihis amendment is right upon
principle; 1t appeals to a high and noble
humanity; it appeals to a plain and Wig
oroug common sense; it appeals to every
lover of law; it appeals to every lover
Of orGer; but, far above and beyond all,
1t appeals to the Christianity OF every
sincere believer in Him: who, clad III IAN
humble isherman's garb, taught by the
wayside in Galilee and Judca. E ghteen
hundred years have passed since that
memorable date, and Yet the belief i'll
His Divine origin and the immortal prin-
ciples taught in His sermon on the. Mount
S greater and stronger. and deeper than
ever before in the history of ~ world.
More than a thousand years ago, the
great Emperor OF Ionstantinoplc urove
out of the golden mouthed preacher. the
gentle and lovab BILE Patriarch, John of
Chrysosto ON: the plain common people de-
fieu his power and brought MIN back in
triumph, and the teaching OF his tour
hundred sermons, which have escaped
the assaults of time have touched the
hearts of thirty generations of mankind,
an. are as powerful to-day when first
delivered. During 81. this eighteen
hundred years. as has been beautifully
said by the distinguished writer of The
Recent Origin of Man, every time
knight winds his horn al the castle gate
of Christianity. its advocates are COM
PEELED to go forth and give battle, and
they are compelled to conquer. And of
all the enemies Q, Christianity the traffic
in alchohol is far and away the greatest!
Does not ,..e highest authority given to
man make the statement, Woo be unto
I'm who giveth .lis neighbor strong
drink: and again. Look not Upon the
wine when it is red within the cup, for 1t
st ngeth like a serpent and biteth like
an adder That same authority has
stated that "a drunkard shall not enter
the Kingdom of heaven Why 1t Is that
the Quarles amendment should not De
made part of the fundamental law or
the land? If not, why not? Does not
the great commentator, Sir William
Blackstone define law TO be "a, rule OF
civil conduct prescribed by the supreme
power in a state commanding what is
right and prohibiting what is wrong?
Jug. more tnan fcrty years have pass
ed since ] read il, I know that this Is
substantially his definition. II tbs
amendment is passed, will it not have a,
powerful tendency to suppress the great,
est evil of the age? Who can doubt it?
Is it not perfectly fair? Is it not 4 con-
cession to the primo pie that that sne ma
jority shall have the right to rule? Does
1t violate any principle Of constitutional
law. and, If so. what is it? de1!
successful answer; judge 1t by any s'a''o-
ard you choose. is, 1t not right! All h;''l
to the gallant member from AeSusta:
Whether he succeeds or falls. MS na'ile
will linger in the hearts or MANKIND as
the brave champion OF the greatest re-
form of this age. Good men and noble
women are praying that he Will succe"
in having his amendment engrafted III the
Constitution. It appeals to the c"eiier
in the palace: it appeals TO the d"eiicr
4, the straw-thatchets cottage OF ti!1 loor;!
It is the very essence OF high ana loitE
craftsmanship. If it Is accomplished, II
will be a tremendous stride III the d.
rection of progress; IN the direction OF
law and order.
annc,i to the fair women OF Virginia
"a ,.nbold his hands in his noble effort OF
,..form With their aid he will succeed.
In reioice TO know that the hoary crust
of nre;udice which hitherto has detied
Tho efforts OF time is at last breaking
nway and women all over the world are
being allowed to take a greater part III
the affairs of government. And Wher-
ever legislation has been touched by
their magic hand 1t has accomplished
great good love the Ang!o-SaSon race,
Of which am member am proud
Of their achievement in peace ana IN
var. in science and IN literature. no
other race mas ever 4SquatSu si'(i.'' = <'A
Vet no other race has treated their wo-
men with such cruelty. Until a year
or two since the Turk was more generous
| TO them IN their rights of property.
we'll recollect the CONSERVATION which was.
cresfed when the member from Nelson
county. Virginia, Senator c. T. Smith,
,ntroduced his Married. Women's" bill in
the Legislature. It met with storm
Of abpse: for years 1T was fought step
:hy step, and to-day it is the lawsof yirfE-
ginia, as it should have beer more than
one hundred years since -
| mn. -, ey1,,ca tim of the two sexes has