The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-16
Al Anneal to the Voters Of King William

An Appeal to the Voters OF King yll'ar e
Editor or The Times Dispatch: s3
sir-slnce the passage Of the 4 " a ann an
bill the liquor sellers and their ad ' cay
have been working to obtain sigma l' lures
for the licensing Of the saloon. In v l Y
Of the fact that names are often signed
ca,relessly and without due thought. T be g
Inr given to the matters at issue, I would
al SIX the men OF King William. Welding
the responsible power OF the franch l,s
70 nauso and consider the results to the
community which Invariably follow n 4 ne I.
saloon. Heretofore the responsibility OF
the country saloon has rested on the law
courts, but recent Legislation places the
responsibility now on the Individual voter
Then the saloon keeper had to bear the
brunt Of the public condemnation and
odium attached to the saloon. but mo "
he will be able to say, all this that hap
pens IS because the voters prayed the
courts for it-they demandeh the saloon.
Voters, when the .pstiful rema cinted, III
fed, ill-clothed family OF the drunkard
Is IN your midst, and the cries Of his
cruelty beaten wife is heard on the night
air-wl1en profanity, licentiousness. drunk
en- brnwls and vice invade decent living
when our youths arc debanched, homes
wrecked and the door thrown wldo for
theft, rn,n der and grm-visaged crime IN
\ It's varied aspects will you then max
answer, Am my brothers keeper?'
YOU cannot close your eyes to the fact
that more or less OF nll these results
have followed the establishment OF the
saloon In your5midst II It Is your sigma
lures that established the SALOON. are vol,
not answerable Voters, IN the name
of helpless women and children. de-
3bauched youths, ruined wrecks OF man
hood. I ask that you weigh your re-
sponsibilty in this matter. Yours may
be the single vote to make the one ma
jority necessary that turns the scale and
establishes tho saloon. Temperance ant,
Christian people are reused as never be-
fore to earnest and tireless effort, their
work is meeting with phenomenal sue.
cess all over Virginia, and the liquor
seller need not hope that King William
will be lax in reform. Indifferent to high
progress and lagging in this great and
noble work. The issuejis squarely made,
the limo Of de,narkation is plainly drawn
On the one side substantial publc-spirited
citizens, alive to the veal or woe OF the
Commonwealth, and carrying the lnflu-
once of moral social and financial stand
iEg-Christian people OF, high character
working in solid phalanx under the ban
ner OF Christ, and the great army Of
suffering women and children, innocent
victims. appealing for relief. on the
other side Is the liquor seller WORKING
for gain at the expense OF unutterable
woe to others, and getting In most cases
INC dollar OF the man or boy who ca II
least afford to give 1.-THE men who
tempt boys to form ruinous habits, ana
give to man that which makes elrunk
ards, manacs and murderers. Of many,
and the men who. engulfed in self-indul-
gence. I've for personal qualification. L.
norins the moral law that demands that
questionable indulgence for tho inlIvl
dual shall not be privileged at tho az
pense or grievous hurt to a largo ma
1orlty But saddest OF all. we see some
OF our thoughtlessly self-nssertlve youths
with pere,rtcd ideas Of truo manliness
declaring that they will use their new
and sacred privilege off franchise to
blight their country with the curse ~
the saloon. Q beloved youth. on whom
all the future of the country dcpends
will you SO rashly jeoparlizo your, High
and noble possibilities? Tho homes ST
the land appeal to You; fathers imploro
you; mothers on Bonded knees cntreat
you to come away from quakIng ground
where many arc plunged to destruction,
ana, standing on the solid ground that
gives unquestioned safety. Identity your
selves with those who advocate purity,
morality, true living and the right Of
humankind to have mt the hands OF a,
brother that which will promote rood
and not evil. IA 4
@ DO not be on the side Of the saloon.
King William, April 11th 1On3 II -