The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1903-09-10
Or. BLACKWELL LAST NIGHT.
A MASTERFUL ADDRESS.

A MASTERFUL ADDRESS,
The Liquor People Without Excuse.
1t had been appointed and advertised
that Rev. George B. Stuart, of Tennes
see, would deliver a temperance address
In Scotland Neck last night. Tuesday
evening message came that by reason
of the illness of his child he could no,
come.
OF course there was disappointment
but telegram was sent to DR.. c. s.
Blackwell, of Norfolk, and yesterday
morning an answer was received stating
that he would arrive here at 8 O'Clock
last night.
The people of the town learning
that DR.. Blackwell would come felt re-
assured, and preparations were made at
once for great open air meeting.
And 1t was great meeting. Four or
five hundred people gathered in Bryan
grove and listened with almost breath
less silence for two hours, save the in
terruptions of applause. George Stuart
himself would have been greatly edited
had he heard DIR. Blackwell's master
full address.
He was appropriately introduced to
the great audience by Rey. T. P. Bon
ner.
Limited space will not permit an at
tempt at an analysis of the great ad-
dress, but it may be said that whoever
heard it ls to-day without excuse for
voting for saloons.
The argument that prohibition
abridges mans personal liberty was
completely refuted the terrible results
of the drink habit on ones personal
life and to his family were portrayed
in language so forcetul that cold type
cannot tell 1t; the debauchery, power
ty, misery, degradation and death that
follow as the product OF the saloon
were SO graphically described that the
audience could see the poor, terror
stricken wife of the drunkard shivering
in her rags and could hear the cry of
her hungry children.
Terrible and awful indictm ents were
made against the saloon because of its
hellish work, and because of the fact
that there is no redeeming feature OF
the business anywhere.
DR.. Blackwell declared that by cor
rect statistics one boy in every five is
given to the saloons. He called upon
the voters present who will vote for
saloons on next Tuesday to think out
we'll and carefully which boy they will
dedicate to the saloons and when they
deposi: a ballot for the saloons write
across the back of that white ballot
the name OF the boy that is to be given
up to the saloon, drink, degradation,
death and damnation.
The man who has a boy and heard |
that speech and votes for open saloons
must have a heart and nature harder |
than adamant itself.
DR.. Blackwell paid high tribute to
the work of the women in this con-
test, and urged them to help and pray
while the men struggle for the victory.
His address was convincing, unans-
werable and called forth the expression
by many that they had never heard a
address OF such power.
The closing appeal was effective.
The speaker referred to Scotland Neck
as the "gem town of the county" beau
tlful OF situation, blessed with a popu
lation OF high-class intelligence, name
and a prestige of honor and even re-
nown, and begged that Scotland Neck
maintain Its reputation for excel
lence in all things and be leader in
this part of the State in the cause OF
temperance and prohibition.
The man and the occasion met. The
evening was perfect, expectation was
high and surely greater temperance
address was never delivered to a more
attentive and delighted audience in
North Carolina. Such truth delivered
in such power cannot fail of effect, and
it's result will be- seen in the prohibi-
ton victory in Scotland Neck next
Tuesday.
Prayer Service Next Sunday.