The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-09
S0MESPLENDID SPEECHES
Much Enthusiasm Manifested by Rep
resentative Delegates From
Morehead City to the
City of Ashevills.

The North Carolina Anti-Saloon League
is reality. Yesterday saw it begin under
the most favorable auspices. Considerably
nore than three hundred delegates from
all parts Of the State met in the Academy
Of Music and organized it. And they not
only organized it, but they raised between
$4,000 and $4,000 to start it on its career.
There were three sessions, in the morn
ing. afternoon and night. No finer body
Of men has ever gathered in Raleigh, and
certainly none for a nobler cause, and
never was undertaking of its kind more
successful Men, we just said, but there
were women too, some of them represent
ing the w. G. 4. u. of various places, and
others merely interested in the good work.
They were some or the best women in the
State.
The resolutions and declaration of prin-
ciples. which win be found below in this
article, are very conservative and are in
every way admirable. There is no rant
ing no fanatieism of any kind. and the
documents are exceedingly brief and very
much to the point
SPEECH BY SENATOR SIMMONS.
Then Senator Il. M. Simmons was re-
cognized by Chairman London and in
vited to address the convention. He APP
preached the platform amid greet ap-
plause. It was real ovation
Senator Simmons said in part:
From persona conference with some
of the leaders of the anti-hquor fight, and
from the literature sent out from its head
quarters, i understand that one of the
main objects of this convention is to con-
slider subjects connected with the OBJ
eervance and enforcement of the laws
against the manufacture and sale of Ii
quors passed by the last General Assem-
bly, | may not be in favor all the pro-
posals of the league or rather I may not
favor all the measures that may be pro-
posed to carry out its purposes, but / am
in favor of sobriety, temperance and
morality, both pubic and private. and
because / am in -dvor of these things l
am in hearty sympathy and accord with
every intelligent and well directed move
ment to strengthen and popularize the an
tl-liquor laws now on our statute books,
whether that movement is directed to the
cultivation of a sentiment and opinion to
secure the ready and willing acceptance
by the people of those laws or concerns
itself about the punishment of those who
violate its provisions. When the general
subject of temperance legislation was be-
fore the last General Assembly for dis
eussion several temperance measures were
presented and discussed, and there de-
veloped much difference of opinion among
the friends of temperance as to which
was the best measure to accomplish the
general purpose in view. / do not desire
to discuss the measures then presented
winch failed of adoption, nor do l intend
to enter into a discussion of the provis-
ions of the bill which became a law. But
in connection with these several schemes,
want to say for myself, for do not want
any misunderstanding about my position
upon any public question of which / have
considered sufficiently to have opin-
ION, that | have always thought and
think now l.-~- the measure finally auopt-
ed was, under all the circumstances, con-
sidering all the conditions existing in
North Carolina the best measure that
taken in its entirety I regard it as an
eminently wise piece of legislation, the
most important single measure, with the
exception of the suffrage amendment
! adopted in this State since the war. and
believe ii it is efficiently enforced it will
lay the foundation and pave the way for
the establishment of a larger measure
or temperance in this State than would
have resulted from a more extreme and
radical measure of temperance and pro-
hibition. OF course, / do not mean to