Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-21

81 =
fastic-Executive Committee,s Re-i
port Celebrates the Pernanence
vs. Of the league as the Growing
Achievement Of the YearClear-
inE-House Of Various Religious
Denominations and Temperance
Agencies.
& The sscond annual convention OF the
Virginia Anti-saloon League held its
opening session in the Sunday school room,
OF the Centenary Methodist church last
nigh,1
Nrss1. thstanding the inclenent weather.
the attendance was good and the opening
OF the meeting was auspictous A spirit
Of conservatism and eagerness marked
every feature Of the proceedings. and
though the workers are taking up de-
termined warfare. they are narshalling
their forces with the utmost care, making
each step with caution, and as President
S. c. Mitchell suggested, taking up their
work ''bit by Bit
Professor Mitchell warned the delegates
against any drastic measures. and advis-
ed them to be careful and considerate
Probably anticipating some expression Of
opinion on the, floor OF the Campbell in
vestigation. he brought up that subject,
and advised that no mention be made OF
it during the convention, explaining that
the after was now in the hands of a
competent committee in whom they all
had confidence. and that no p ,sible good
could result from my discussion:
The Rev. W. w ear then offered the
following resolution, which was seconded
and adopted, anq the matter was thus
finally disposed Of:
-5 Whereas, the case Of Judge Clarerce
J. Campbell. Of Amherst county, is now
pending in the General Assembly Of Vir-
ginia. in whose ability to deal with this
matter all have the Utmost confidence:
and, whereas, the sympa thles of this con-
vention are well knowl; In the premises,
Therefore, be it resolved, that we deem
any allusion to the said case on tue floor
! Of this convention would be improper and
unwise."
Address OF welcome.
The meeting was opened with devo-
tional exercises at 7:so o'clock, after
Which llle flev.=hS.RSs.= Lear EI1dOe the du-
dress of welcome. He spoke of the pleas
urei he, felt In having the convention meet
: in this city. anu extended a hearty well
come to all present. IN the name Of the
church. the city and all the people in
terested IN the ause. Their coming had
been heralded, he said through The COLI
v1nns Of the neWspa pers. ind they were
received with open arms The cause. he
SAID, was great one. and there were
more with them than against them. and
there was much work to be done. The
league would have to grapple with the
demon, drink, he added. until Its death
was absolutely certain.
Rev. "A. E. Owen. of Portsmouth. made
the response. on behalf of the delega tes.
He said he thought the people of this
city. noted for their culture and piety.
should be glad to see them. He was In
sterrupted by many verbal affirma tions
from the audience. They were a good peo-
pie here to save their country. as patriots,
he said. and also to save their churches
and their religion. He said the church
was in need Of q man to take the lead in
this great fight, and added that they had
come together to light their torches and
to carry the fire throughout the Common
wealth, never to let 1t die.
Mrs Howard NJ Hoge. was the next
speaker. She represented the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union. now num-
berng 2.756 members. This band of women
was orga nized nineteen years ago: the re
sui. Of their work has been colossal.
Mrs. Hoge made a clear. concise talk,
straight to the point. She said the tenn
}perance people should not underestimate
the strength Of the enemy. for it was a
gigantic organization. They had taken
up the fight and they must dare and do.
Hon. George w Hawzhurst., represent.
ing the Good Templars. said they were
fighting with a }''cold water banner" The
local. option law was originated by the
Coco. Teriplars and through their efforts
1t passed through the Legislature. and
through its efforts large portion Of the
State is now in the "dEy" list
Professor siltchell's Advice.
Professor s. C. Mitchell then took the
floor. He said the convention was called
together a year a go nd had no reference
to the Campbell trial and here it was he
gave his advice and the resolution intro
duced.
Professor Mitchell read the report OF
the Executive Committee. after which
Nearer. My God. 10 Thee. was sung,
andAthe meeting was adjourned with a
benediction by Rev sAshby Jones.
The committee has arranged pro-
ramme, with an allotted time for ca ch
speaker: and the meeting adjourned on
the schedule hour last night, no speaker
having gone beyond his limit. This rule
Will; be enforced throv ghout the conven
lion. 'The next meeting will be held TINS
morning at $50 o'clock in the same place.
4 rnong those present last night. were:
Revs. c., H Crawford. Ashby Jones. !. S.
Boyles. W.. w. Lear. Ed. j. Richardson.
#saIudo;EJ E. Cooke. w. w. Smith. Lynch
burg: r. N. Smith. Owen. Henning. 3. F.
Watson, York; N P. Smith Windsors
Guy. Messrs. d. L. Blakemore, Fairfax:
T.#R. covingt on. Culpsper: A. L. Carson.
Sanford; Charles Clement. Accoma cs: Y.
r. Turner. E.. D. Moore. L.c. Critten-
den, u c. Grinnels. Davis, Babcock, W.