The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1908-04-30

thing shall not be as to copdenan any
other proceeding that is not for the
public good. We have heard drinking
men plead for prohibition, that they
may be freed from the temptation and
the blight of yielding to it. Shall the
strong not help the weak; shall we dis
regard the cry of the drunkard for de-
liVerance and turn q deaf ear to the
pleading of their suffering families?
In union there is strength, and just
now, when there is a mighty continent
for prohibition prevailing through our
whole country, it is undoubtedly the
time TO combine the forces of a nation
against this terrible monster that has
so long been our foe. A number Of
states have already espoused the cause
Of the white ribbon and proved its in
estimable advantage. There is no sub.
stitute that a be accepted. Local OPP
ton, high license, and dispensaries
haYe no place in the coming decision.
The responsibility is upon US. We must
strike a blow for temperance that win
be felt ''to the last syllable of recorded
time" Let US have right, whole right,
and nothing but right.
The use of liquor tax for educational
purposes ought not to be an argument
for high license among right thinking
people, and it ought to be discouraged
everywhere. Shall we build a structure
upon which the eurse of God has been
pronounced before a stone is laid?
"Woe to him that buildeth a town with
blood, and establisheth city by mi
guilty." Were it not better that we
grow up in ignorance than that We have
education at the cost OF sin, OF suffer.
ing. of broken hearts and blighted lives?
Shall we not rather turn away from the
very semblance of the evil, and, ap-
pealing to the noble men and women
who have always maintained the high
position of Carolina, ask them if we
shall not have schools u~nexceiled; if We
must resort to the whiskey business to
lift their children into the light of
knowledge. Is there q doubt as to what
their answer will be? 'True lightwood
at heart, let the match be applied them.
How they kind1s and flame. Oh none
know but who've tried them"
In conclusion, let us go back a few
years and listen TO some expressions from
the venerable fathers of our state. which
tho expressed long ago. taken as u
ideal, will enrich and ennoble and refine
our native state. William A. Graham,
governor of North Carolina from 1916 10
IS49, said: "No system of education
would be complete which aimed merely
at intellectual culture and attainments.
and neglected the morals, the heart and
the affections" Thomas Rufin Onc
said, est is very fit that benevolent per-
sons should, by persuasion, example and
other moral means, endeAvor to induce
men TO the use of spiriutous
drinks, and In that all may wish them
success. however much many may des-
pair of it." Shall we cultivate morals
upon lack of morals? Is the time not
past when many shall despair of victory?
The clouds are receding, the day of
world wide temperance is approaching,
and time of suffering and sorrow caused
by drink shall be no more. Is this not
the state that we are bound to love and
protect always? North Carolina must
be free; let Henderson county grandly
and nobly do her part.
Fruitland Institute, April 20, 1908.