The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-10-19
THE ANrI.LEAGuE.

suggest or surmise that the Anti
Saloon League was receiving sub
stantial assistance from the man
ayers of the Republican campaign
in Tennessee for the purpose of en-
comprising the defeat of Mr.. Pat
terson for Governor. Some of oui
friends promptly objected to these
remarks, and asked us if we knew
that the constitution of the League
prohibited any participation in
politics. And yet we were shown
a circular this week making a per-
sonal attack against Mr.. Patter.
son, who IS the Democratic nominee
for Governor, and this circular was
signed by the Anti-Saloon League.
This would show that instead of
making a mistake we failed to
properly and sufficiently expose the
actions of the League. Here is
what the Nashville American says
about il:
The circular attacking in per-
s0nal way the Democratic nominee
for Governor is being distributed
throughout the State and pub
lished in the smaller and more dis
reputable Republican'papers This
attack, made for the purpose OF de-
feating, if possible, the Democratic
nominee, is signed "Anti-Saloon
League" Who prepared this cir
cular? w a it the Anti-Saloon
League? If so, who are its officers?
Why didn't they sign their names?
While Mr.. Patterson was can.
didate for the Democratic nominal
ton for Governor the Anti-Saloon
League endorsed a candidate for
Governor. This candidate, a
capable, worthy gentleman who
had been a'candidate for Governor
once before, received less than sew
enty.hve instructed votes out of
total in the State of 1920. The
endorsement and influence of the
Anti-Saloon League did not seem
to cut much figure in that contest.
The Anti. Saloon League is max
ing itself very officious in this CAM
paign in fighting the Democratic
party-a party through which all
the temperance legislation that
now exists was enacted, and which
affords the only hope of any such
legislation in the future. This
Anti-Saloon League declares
against Mr.. Patterson. L h is
means, of course, that it wants Mr..
Evans elected. Mr.. Evans is the
nominee OF the Republican party
a party which has a record on the
temperance question that marks it
as hypocritical, insincere, unreli-
able and unworthy to be trusted.
IT the Anti-Saloon League is not
hopelessly ignorant it knows this.
1t must know, also, I'll a t Mr., |
Evans, as Governor. can do the
cause it processes to hold above all
Others no possible service. He can
enact no legislation. His recon-
mendations would have little or no
influence. His election would |
cause resentment among Demo-
cratic mem oers of the legislature
who might be inclined to favor
temperance measures. The cleo
tion of Evans would be no triumph /
for the Anti.Saloon League, but
would do it injury and bring it into
contempt with many excellent citi-
zens. 1t would do the cause OF
temperance harm. Already thre is
growing disgust and resentment
among many who have no favors to
show saloons, but who resent some
of the methods which the Anti.
Saloon League employs and the
spirit OF intolerance it shows, while /
showing also what many regard as
a lack of practical common sense.
When sucn men as Or. Hoss and
John Royal Harris we're the chief
leaders III behalf OF temperance
they had warm fight
with the liquor interests. but they
appealed to the wholesome senti-
ment and common sense OF the peo.
Pile, and through the Democratic
party effective n d wholesome
legislation was enacted. They did
not make the foolish mistake Of
fighting the Democratic party, and
they sought to assail no mans
but Judged him by his
official acts.
We do not know how many men,
bers the Anti-SaIoon League has.
They may be chiefly officers. The
temperance legislation is
the result of the sentiment among
the people of the State, the major
ity of whom have had nothing to do
with the Anti-Saloon League, and
some of those most influential in
driving saloons out of the smaller
towns have certainly never had any
with t b e League.
There are large numbers of excel
lent citizens and temperance advo-
Gates in Tennessee, including not
few worthy ministers, some of
them OF long years of service, who
have no sympathy with TIL {
Leagues present methods.
Baptists Protest.
Baptists all over the county are
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