The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-27
pI AYING INTO THE HANDS OF POLL
TlCAL ENEMIES.

The Salisbury Sun astounds us by say
ing that sit has been an open secret IN
Rowan County for the past sixty days
that persuasive influence and subtle ar
glments have convinced number OF
Democrats that an Independent Demo-
cratic or a temperance ticket-composed
of all prohibitionists of all parties-should
be nominated this year in the event the
nominees of the Rowan Democratic con-
vention, which is to be held at some III
ture and yet unnamed date, do not rep
resent the temperance element in the
party"
Commenting upon this statement the
Salisbury Sun truly says that such
course would be playing into the hands
of political enemies" 1t would be doing
that and also playing into the hands OF
the enemies to temperance. No good
purpose could be subserved by any srch
misguided course and no temperance man
who understands the true conditions
will pursue the course which the Sun
says is now in contemplation.
Temperance legislation in North Caro-
lima keeps pace with public sentiment I'M
der Democratic rule. The last Legisla'
ture took a long step forward. 1t has
prevented country bars and country stills
in Rowan and in every other county IN
the State. That was wise legislation,
based upon the sound principle that whls'
key shall be neither sold nor made eX-
cept in such places as provide ample police
protection The Democratic party is upon
sound ground in defending the legislation
enacted and the principle upon which it
is based 1t will not take any backward
step and will defend the right position the
Legislature took AS to whether liquor
shall be sold or manufactured in places
where police protection is afforded, that is
a question that is to be settled by each
community for itself Many towns have
voted prohibition, quite number have
established dispensaries, others have high
license, and few invite stills and saloons
TO open in their midst Salisbury is in
the latter class. We sympathize with our
Salisbury temperance friends in desiring
to be rid of that body of DEATH But,
| if they should do anything to weaken
the strength of the Democratic party in
North Carolina, they would be jumping
out of the frying pan into the consum-
ing fire. 1t would be so great blunder
as to be crime.
Salisbury temperance people should de-
vote all their energies to making public
sentiment so strong that next year they
can vote out the hell kettles" and
"drunkard makers" They can succeed if
they pursue the same course that has
been pursued in Durham, Goldsboro Raj
eigh, Wilson, Greenville, Kinston, Eliza
beth City and other large towns in the
State. The day of the saloon and the still
in North Carolina are numbered They
still have a few strongholds, of which Sal
isbury is the chief. But by proper agita-
ton in the right time and in the right
way, the people of that community will
drive out the last saloon and still that
curse the growing city. The temperance
people will succeed if they have faith and
works But if they do anything that will
weaken the only party in North Carolina
that stands for decency and makes
smooth sailing for temperance, they will
do the cause of temperance more harm
than all the saloons and stills in the State
can inflict.