The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-26
EHOlI
fight AllhERS''; J !.
Judge Campbell Replies e . His.
Pastor.in vindication d. His
Own Position.
OWu OSSV
fspcc,al DIsna tch to The Times

Special Ul6patc0S Inc
March 25.--Opposi-
ton on the part Of ministers and friends
OF temperance is being worked up to
fever heat In the town Of Amherst just
at this time. Amherst is q local option
town, and has been so decided by g ma
5jorttys Of her citizens In two elections
\ held in the district within the last five
years, but the sale Of whiskey goes on
with but uttle9 abatement, many claim
ing it to be as bad now as 1t was Under
the old law when licenses were issued.
There seems to have been general
understanding among the ministers OF
the town within the last few days that
they would go to work with renewed
zeal against this evil, and as they term
the local option law. rs
81 So on yesterday they opened their bat
tering rams against this monster evil
In the morning at the Baptist Church
the pastor, Rev. J. L. Wiley, opened fire
with zeal and great emphasis against
this destroying evil He read from his
pulpit extracts Of the general law gov
erning the sale Of Intoxicating liquors
in local option districts throughout the
State of Virginia, and then also read tie
special law that has been passed by the
Legislature for Amherst county. The
speaker went on to give unmistakable
evidence of the open-handed sale Of
HIAShSy III llle lOH luS3 lie hulAA1
Der Of barrels and boxes Of whiskey that
had been shipped here to one dealer.
He also referred to the dscision OF
Judge Daniel a. Grimsley, of the Circuit
Court, and that the blame must rest
upon the officials of the law in Amherst.
good many of whom were present and
reard with their. own ears the appalling
violation Of the law that was being COM
1nitted in Amherst, and heard, in the
minister's Judgment, that they were re-
sponsible for not arresting this evil
Last night at the Methodist Church the
pastor, Rev. E. v. Carson, as it appeared
by agreement, opened fire along the same
lines. but in n1ilder and more pathetic
tones.
Judge G. j. Campbell, of the County
Court, who is a member of the NJ E.
Church of Amherst, was present at both
services. At the conclusion of the Rev.
Mr.. Carson's sermon. he requested all who
were present that were willing to stand
by him and his co-workers in suppressing
this evil. to come forward, and give
him or the Rev. Arthur p. Gray, rector
of the Episcopal Church at this place,
(who stood within the chanceD their right
hand. A large majority of the consrega-
ton went forward.
Judge Campbell did not so. but at the
conclusion of the Misunderstanding he re-
quSStSO5 pttolOI Lll<bI IL ~ eIiiS
speak a word in vindication Of himself
and his position in referenceto this mat
teri He explained that he could not be
Judge. grand Jury and Commonwealth. !.
attorney. he said he had been guided
throughout this whole matter by a firm
ness in the right as God had given him to
see the right that he had summoned a
Grand jury, that he thought ought to be
acceptable to the ministers and local on
ton people. three of whom were stewards
in the NJ E. Church, but did not remem-
her whether the seventh was a church
member or not. and would have held that
jury in session as long as they wished. or
had any witnesses to bring before them,
that he was not responsible for their not
bringing in an indictment against the par
tv who is charged with the violation OF
the law.
He further stated that this charge that
had been alleged was a misdemean nor and
should the grand jury have found any in
:dictment against the offender, he would
have had to send the case to n Justice of
the peace to be tried. So he suggested
that they bring their grievances before
Justice Edgar Whitehead, who was a
Christian gentleman. and would certainly
decide their case according to the law
and evidence and should the case be APP
pea1ed to his court, he would certainly try
il in his Judgment according to the very
right of the matter, regardless of fear or
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