The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-04-09
distant points. The magnitude of the

distant pOlnCS. ne uaH ulCuuc VI 0Ho
celebration was revelation to the
visitors and their delight was unbound.
ed. This year the leading events will
be repeated and the program will be
more elaborate. Ponce de Leon week
will be observed on Wednesday, Thurs
day and Friday, April LIST, End and 3rd,
and at this season the weather is per-
feet. The temperature is usually de-
lightful, being happy medium be
tween spring and early summer. 1t is
impossible in brief sketch to do JUS
tice to an entertainment OF such mag
nitude, but faint conception may be
obtained by picturing this quaint old
city with all its natural charms,
thronged with the various occupants OF
the land--Indians, Spanish mobiles,
English soldiers, French chevallers,
the twentieth century warriors from
army and Maryland the city Itself
fairly Smothered in decorations and
brilliantly illuminated at night. Paine,
the great fireworks man, has been here
some time making preparations for the
night scenes. The lady member OF the
party will try to depict for The journal
readers, later, her conception OF these
events as they may be seen this year.
| find the prohibition question OF
great moment everywhere in the south.
For years there has been a steady
growth of public opinion against the
saloon and there are but few OF the
small towns of the entire south where
liquor is legally sold today. Constitu-
tional prohibition has been adopted by
several States, and this idea will doubt
less sweep all of Dixie land within
decade Georgia has been dry,-con-
stitutionally,-for nearly three months,
and of the results thus far it is rather
hard to get unbiased Judgment. AS
with us in Maine the sympathy OF
nearly everyone has been enlisted, and
strongly enlisted, either in the benefits
of prohibition or the better results OF
license of some degree. OF the fact
itself that liquor-selling and drinking
are the giant curses of society now and
have been always since men were
created, there is but small minority
to dispute. 1t is simply Of the means
to eradicate or regulate the habit that
causes the great difference of opinions
in about ali the States of our Union at
present. Within a day or two | have
read in the public prints the two sides
argued by representatives OF potn
wings who may be said to be we'll quail
fed to make the pleas and whose state
ments should have weight in the form
ing of public opinion. The Personal
Liberty League of the western States,
voicing the distillers, saloon-keepers
and all interested, directly or indirectly,
in the selling of liquor, make the IL
cense cause very rosy and to many the
arguments would be simply unansWer-
able Prohibition is an awful spectre
to these people, and it is quite natural
they should want it to appear as black
to all others. Another witness for the
other side of the question Is john ID.
Rockefeller, whom none Will deny has
been fairly prosperous American cltl-
zen, whose business advice should be
considered good, which, with his ideas
on social topics, are the only things we
are likely to get from the old gentle
men without cost. He is spending the
winter in Augusta, Ga, and was re-
Gently interviewed by newspaper
man who desired to secure Mr.. Rookie
felIer's views on temperance and pro
hibition, subjects which are leaders OF
public speech in that State at this time.
He talked freely on the matter OF pro
hibition. He said: II am an old man,
but am glad to say that | never touch
ed Whiskey. 1t is good thing to keep
liquor away from the negroes and
lower class of whites. know there
are many problems to be considered IN
connection with this great question,
but in the end think it will De best
for the State" indicating his views
with reference to the present situation
in Georgia. at nplifts the people,
to
save. 1t is best" he said. Mr.. Rookie
Teller believes that the prohibition SEN
timent is growing not only in this coun-
try, but i'll England, as well. 1t is his
belief that the wave OF anti-llquor feel
out the United States.
In the State of Florida there are only
a few cities, the larger ones,-where
law is evaded in the smaller towns is Il
appears to be pretty strictly enforced
all along the line. At the recent auto
mobile meet at Ormond it is quite evil
drinks served was not fully appreciated.
strange to say, under this infection,
very prosperous. But the automo
billsts did not like the dry atmosphere
and here is the song they sang to the
music of the booming surf:
Oh lead me to the happy land
Vi here the rivers of booze am found,
Where dry gin rickeyS are hanging on the
tree and
High balls are rolling on the ground
What?
High balls rolling on the ground?
Yes,
High balls rolling on the ground.