The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-04-05
To the Men and Women of North Caro-

| To the Men and Women OF North caro-
lima:
The favorableness of conditions is itself
sufficient call to the men and women
of North Carolina to grid themselves for
battle against the saloon, their ancient
and remorseless enemy.
Public sentiment against the saloon is
stronger than it has ever been. 1t is re-
cognized by all intelligent men as the
chief source of the drink evil-an evil
OF the gravest character and greatest pro-
portions; and enlightened citizens are
convinced by painful experience that the
saloon is the worst of the several forms
of the liquor traffic. Moreover. 1.-The po-
| itical leaders have grown weary of the
influence of the saloon in political life,
and are ready to join in an effort to
destroy it. On the whole, therefore, the
condition of public sentiment is most aus
picious.
| Again, the ignorant black vote having
been eliminated, the saloons hope in
voting, as they have in the past, large
numbers of ignorant negroes, is cast
down, while, on the other hand, the intel
ligent and honest classes of the colorea
/
rule of voting against the chief enemy
of their weaker brethren-the saloon
| OF larger significance, however, is the
fact the white race feels at liberty to
take up this question now. after long
years of waiting and suffering, and they
! take it up with the determination to set
tie it and settle it right, and if need be
OF choosing officers of the law who will
enforce their will when once it has been
| expressed.
Again, under the new Act of the Gen
eral Assembly known as the Watts Act
there are three changes that make de-
cidedly for the temperance cause.
First, the saloon and distillery are
excluded from the country districts.
That is, evasion and destruction of NUM-
cipal prohibition, such as has been ac-
complished by setting up saloons just
outside of prohibition towns and cities,
| is now rendered imposs bic by a sweeping
! statute
Second, elections may be held at any
/ time Of year, not within ninety days of
political election. Formerly the local
option elections have been limited to the
month of May in which many cities and
! towns hold municipal elections, and these
have often served to muddle the issue.
Now the issue may be presented without
any complications whatever.
! Third We may have choice of pro-
hibition, saloons, or dstilleries, or dis
| pensary
These are decided advantages and
should encourage every citizen who has
| the welfare of the Commonwealth at
heart to go readily into this campaign
against the saloon
Let it be observed that the new Act
does not go into effect until July 1.
1903 This accounts for the fact that
we look for the elections not to occur
earlier than September or October OF
the present year. But this is not the
only reason. We are OF opinion that this
campaign must be commenced immedi
ately. We must work thoroughly and
earnestly, and six months is none too
long a time We cannot afford to take
chances in a matter so grave. Frequent
Iy to lose an election will mean set
back for ten years,
We expect that in every community
there will be discussion of lie dispensary
question, and we take it, therefore. as
the part of wisdom to declare our posi-
ton now We are first of all opposed
to the saloon system. 1t is recognized
as the worst form of the liquor traffic
We are. secondly. for prohibition. 1t is
recognized rs the only really desirable
treatment of the liquor traffic. If in
any community the argument shall be
made for a dispensary, let it be based
upon the understanding that a dispen-
sary is favored only on the two grounds
namely ~ That it is an improvement
upon the saloons, giving protection to
the rising generation: and (2) That ii
will make way ultimately for prohibition.
We regret to confess that we fear that
there may be cities in our State in
which an abrupt change from the open
saloon to prohibition could not be SO
successfully made as We desire. In such
cities the dispensary is the practical half
way step. We respectfully recommend
that the friends of prohibition take this
question up and treat it according to their
knowledge of conditions in their cities
Or towns, and that once a course shall
be determined upon, every man who OPP
poses the saloon system shall give it
hearty support.
We expect that elections will be called
for in every city and town in which sa
looms now exist. We would here remind
the opponents of the saloons that they
must get up a petition of one-third of
the qualified voters and that thirty days
notice of the election must be given. 1t
is of the highest Importance that the
friends of temperance proceed tmmedi-
ately to organize in every town. and
that they select officers and committees
that are capable of wisely and vigorous
ly conducting the campaign. An or
ganization formed now will be able to do
its best work In the summer and fall. |
This contest is wholly local. 1t presents
the aspects of a general warfare, but |
each election is battle in itself. The !
work will not be done. cannot be done, |
from headquarters at Raleigh. 1t must
be done by the local organizations Moth |
ing short of hand to hand canvass of
every voter should be aimed at in every
town and city.
The Executive Committee has called |