Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-02
Joint DebaEe

the manufacture and sale of firearms and
other indictments with which death may
be produced and hold the buyer response
BILE for the use he makes OF them. We
must deal with men as God deals with
them. as reasonable beings. If we are go
ing to have state prohibition, prohibit the
improper use of whisky and make all re-
sponsible for the evil growing out OF II
whether it be the seller or the drinker.
For the last seventeen years the cause
of temperance has been making progress
step by step through local option, not as
fast as many have desired, but when we
look back through these years in which
this work has been gaining ground, ana
see our state dotted with barrooms al al
most every crossroads, and view IL as IL
is now with III counties freed from these
sinks of sin, we have cause TO rejoice and
be inspired with the hope that the day
is not far distant when our entire state
shall be freed from this evil.
There are three men seeking the ONCE or
governor. One a state prohibitionist; one
a local optiOnist, and one that is neither.
The question that must be decided by
every one who votes Is: For which OF
these shall I cast my ballot? All should
seek for the best reason and not be in
fiuenced outside of reason. AS for myself
have tried to weigh this question In the
fear of God and have made up my mind.
have never voted for anything against
temperance, but have always, when
have had the chance to do so, voted for
temperance and principles and men that
would be most conducive to that end.
am afraid to vote for state prohibition In
this contest for the governors seat. can
see no good that would acrue to the cause
of temperance in the election of its candi-
date He would If elected only have the
power TO approve or disapprove any law
that might be passed by the >law-making
power The cause of temperance might
be set back many years. The whole ques-
ton might be thrown back to where IL
started II years ago. and the battle fought
over again. and il we should not have
barrooms in every town and all over the
country we would have dispensaries which
would now be upon US If IL had not been
for the good sense and backbone Of our
present governor. do not intend 70 re-
fleet upon any one. Many good men were
ready to approve the effort TO have such
a law passed because IL was introduced by
an avowed prohibitionist without giving II
consideration.
The gentleman who is a local optionist
asking to be elected to this high Office /
have known from his youth. I knew his
father and bis maternal grandfather, two
men of sterling worth. reliable and trust
worthy in every relation of life
It was my privilege to serve church.
as pastor, for nine years in six miles OF
Greenville. Ca. and while Mr.. Terrell was
not a member of that church he was a
regular attendant. going six miles to do
so. It is a real pleasure to me to be able
to say that his conduct was exemplary at
all times His whole life has been spent
for the right and no man could be found
in whose hands. not only the cause Of
temperance. but the interest Of all the
people OF every class would be more safe
ly guarded.
I am sorry that this question has been
81 a. T.
ingly unfortunate. An effort is being made
to make this a church matter. 1t is to be
regretted that the Methodists and Baptists
are appealed to as such TO go TO the polls
and vote for prohibition. Church and
state must be kept apart. Intemperance is
not the only evil to put down or the only
thing to be guarded by a governor.
/ shall. vote for Joe Terrell.
z. NJ. HoOTEN.
Fairburn Ga.