The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-08-16
THE TEMPERANCE FORCES.
,Ihey ShlOuld Stand by The Klrty
That Stood for Temperance
Legislation.

10 the Editor:-It is manifest that
temperance will be an issue of extra
ordinary Importance in the campaign
now opening in North Carolina.
In response to appeals from the
moral and religious forces, represent
ing our churches and schools and the
religious press, the last General AS
sembly passed an act giving us the
excellent measures of rural prohibit
ion and municipal local option.
In the campaign now upon us one
party stands pledged to destroy this
legislation; the sother party pledged to
preserve it. There should be no ques-
ton of the position of the genuine
friends of temperance in a situation
like this. Honor and wisdom and 10y
atty to their cause point to but one
course-unfaltering support of the
party that in response to our petitions
has enacted this legislation
Honor impels us. We must stand by
the men who stand by us.
Wisdom impels us. We must make
it worth while for politicians and po-
litical parties to support our causes.
In the degree that the opposition
would injure them in that degree and
more must we aid them. This IS the
only way to obtain more legislation in
the same direction the only way to
maintain our present strong position;
the only way to maintain our stand
ing as men who have determined
purpose.
LOYALTY to our cause binds us.
There is an opposition. We know
where it is. There is a friendly camp.
We know where it is Not to join the
forces of that camp in contest like
this in which the opposition has cho-
sen it's position of it's own will,
amounts to Abandonment of our cause
in the critical hour.
Let no one deceive himself There is
an opposition and it is right now fore
ing the fighting. Nothing would so
please it as to be able to say that the
temperance people will not stand by
party that aids their cause; nothing
would so crafty them as>to be able
to declare, that party lost mere or
there by reason of its Well-dOing in our
party will gain every time 1T takes
party will gain every time it tages
reasonable step in behalf of righteous
ness and temperance.
Our leaders must arouse the friends
of temperance throughout the State.
There is danger that some will permit
the fact that this issue has been made
a political issue to overshadow the
fact that it is also an issue of right
eousness. AS such it is our issue. AS
such we were content to have it. We
did not make it q political issue. The
Democratic party did not make it an
issue The Republican convention, in
full knowledge of all the circum-
stances, deliberately chose to make it
an issue. And it must accept the
consequences without complaining.
Ordinarily Christian leaders are averse
to taking sides politically. But when q
political party deliberately takes sides
against them there is but one course
resistance to the extent of our pow
err Well may we inquire, who is
this uncircumcised Philistine that he
should defy the armies of the living
God?
We have an opportunity in this
campaign not only to preserve a good
law, but to press home a lesson that
will be wholesome throughout all the
future in North Carolina political life.
To this magnificent opportunity | call
our religious leaders, our ministers,
teachers and editors Let them array
themselves for the conflict even as the
opposition has arrayed itself against
us; and let us not fear to give battle
in the name of righteousness, tenn
perance and judgment to come.
Sincerely.
j. w. BAILEY,
State Chairman Anti-Saloon League.
Raleigh, N. c., Aug. Is, 1904.