The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-12
Comments Living Topics
By ARCHIBALD JOHNSON.


1t is very unhealthy for a politician
to straddle nowadays on the liquor
question; and it is beautiful to see how
the boys who once laughed at the
temperance fanatics are falling over
each other to get on the dry side.
We beg the Governors pardon. The
News and Observer says he did not
lead the dance at the inaugural bali,
nor dance at all: and we are very
glad indeed to make this correction.
What do YOU think of a pastor who
is too good to take part in Il prohibit
ton fight in his own town when the
powers of hell are leagued together
against the forces of righteousness:
and on Sunday stands before his peo-
pie and breaches on some dusty old
subject which rocks the old brethren
to sleep? Such man, in our judg
ment, is worth about as much to the
world as a wooden Indian in front Of
a cigar store.
The repeal of the anti-iug law
ought to be followed by the enactment
of another exactly like it, If the OBJ
lection to it is that it was accidental.
let us have one that was made on
purpose. 1t is d capital law and has
done great good. What matter IL the
Richmond saloons do prosper by it,
We would rather those in Richmond
would prosper than those in North
Carolina. Every dollar made by IL
quor has on ii the marks of blood.
The reformatory for young GRIMM
ais on the plan suggested may be de-
feated. but it will not down until it is
settled right. We confess we are in
hearty sympathy with the plan sug
gested by the directors of the peniten-
tiary, and hope this plan may meet the
appro val of the Legislature. but
whether it does or not something win
are now thrown with confirmed and
hardened criminals, and thus
graduated in the college OF crime.
The State feels outraged, as it well
may be. at this inhuman policy, and
sooner or later change will come.
THE Clansman" is in our judy
mcnt. the best book Tom Dixon has
yet written. Many readers will be
repealed by its nauseous and absurd
praise of Mr.. Lincoln, and few will
throw the book down in disgust and
denounce It as q specimen of toadyism
of the first water: but they will make
q mistake by doing this. All this
palaver about Lincoln is the sugar
However, this is a serious defect. and
we are sorry it mars this tremendous
story of the sorrows of the South. An
other weakness of the book is the
loye-making III It, Mr. Dixon can not
write q love story. and ii is a pity he
tries. His lovers are quite too ripe
and willing and kissa Bile. He ought
to employ Mary Johnston to fill in this
part of his stories. AS whole the
book is very powerful. Like the
"LeOpard'S Spots 1t Is startling iii it's
thrilling situations. and the uninform-
ed will proceed TO pronounce il a. It's
sue of falSehoods. But ii is no false
hood. It is true. and we are glad it
goes to the world unvarnished. It
will have great sale in the North,
and we feel thankful that one South
crn writer has caught the Northern
ear, and that 4 is one who paints
the picture exactly as it occurred. The
fearful and appalling death Of the
young Southern maiden and her
heart-broken mother is the strongest
thing IL the book and the most pitifuI
spectacle in the world, but who dare
deny its truth? The calm despair
with which these two women walked
through the gates of death is describ-
ed with marvellous power. Some of
the characters are oVerdrawn-StOne-
man. for instance and there is much
of the crude and commonplace
throughout the book, but all the de-
fleets arc yelled and forgotten in the
splendid bursts of genius that flash
through the pages and stamp the
story on the minds and hearts of men
There will be those who will feel out
ragged and call 'The ClanSman' q
coarse and common story: others will
get angry and call it a lie, but the
sober sense of the mass of readers will
No 4 1tn latyi -
learn to think more kindly of the
South which had the cup of recon-
struction placed to it's lips and drain
cd to the dregs! This book ought TO
find q place in every Southern home.