The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-04-07

The favo-ableness of conditions is itself
a sufficient call TO the men and women
OF North Carolina to grid themselves for
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
SELDOM is the worst Of the several forms
of the liquor traffic. Moreover, the po-
litical 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 ia
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 colored
race who yet nave the ballot have made
a 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-
con1plished by setting up saloons just
outside Of prohibition towns and cities,
is now rendered imposs'b bic by a sweeping
statute.
Second, elections may be held at any
time Of year. not within ninety days Of
q 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 middle the issue.
Now the issue may be presented without
eny complications whatever.
Third. We may have choice of pro-
hibition, saloons, or distilleries, 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 /,
1903. This accounts for the fact that
we look for the elections not to occur
90 = }ho~ Cor&or,Inr or notobnr n
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 toe
long a time. We cannot afford to take
chances in a matter 50 grave. Frequent
iy to lose an election will mean a set
back for ten years.
We expect that in every community
there will be discussion of .he 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 as the only really desirable
treatment Of the liquor traffic. If il
any community the argument shall b.
made for a dispensary, let it be base(
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 tt
the rising generations: and (N That i
will make way ultimately for prohibition
l We regret to confess that we fear tina.
: there may be cities in our State il
which an abrupt change from the oper
! &C. 1nOn TO nrOhjhitjHn could not he 81
l successfully made as We desire. In sucl
f cities the dispensary is the practical half
way step. We respectfully recommend
! that the friends Of prohibition take thii
f question up and treat it according to thei
knowledge Of conditions in their elite
Or towns, and that once a course shall
1 be determined upon, every man who OPP
: poses the saloon system shall give i
t hearty support.
We expect that elections will be caliet
t for in every city and town in which sd
: looms now exist. We would here remin,
D the opponents Of the saloons that the
must get up a petition Of one-third o
the qualified voters and that thirty day
notice Of the election must be given. /
is of the highest Importance that tn
o friends Of temperance proceed immedi
+ ately to organize in every town, an,
no lhtS SclcSl ollSSl IL COIIliLllllt
that are capable of wisely and vigorous
ly conducting the campaign. An or
ganization formed now will be able to d
it's best work in the summer and fall
This contest is wholly local. 1t present
the aspects Of a general warfare, bu
each election is a battle in itself. TIL
work will not be done. cannot be done
from headquarters at Raleigh. 1t mus
be done by the local organizations. Moth
ing short Of a hand to hand canvass c
every voter should be aimed at in ever
town and city.
y The Executive Committee has called
. temperance convention for July Z. TIL
, object of such a convention is mutual en-
cement, to forward the campaign
! to strengthen the movement all alon
the line; to elect field men, etc. IF con
ditions seem ripe for this meeting, W
shall have it. If not. the character c
our movement being local we shall nc
n fear not to have it.
q 1t is opposed to supply the deman
n for literature and for speakers, and it
ID expected that sufficient funds will b