The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-04-07

ministers anu fOfElinenC Citizens
Had seats ON the Stage.
Hon. Charles B. Aycock, of Colds
bOro. former governor Of North Car
Oiina, and an orator of national rep
utation, delivered stirring and elo-
QUent address On the general subject
Of prohibition before an audience that
completely filled the Academy of Mu-
Su1 last night.
The prohibition mass meeting had
been arranged under The auspices of
the second in the series that will be
held during the campaign which Will
end with the prohibition election in
May
The first address it will be recalled
vas delivered few days ago by Judge
J. c. Pritchard, former United States
senator and the next address will be
delivered within the next few weeks
by Governor Robert B Glenn. chief ex-
ecutive of the State Of North Carolina.
The audience which greeted the for
mer governor last night was large
one, the parquet and dress circle hav-
ing been completely filed many being
unable to find seats. Apparently there
we're nearly as many ladies in the au-
dence as there were gentlemen.
Seated On the stage with the speah
er were Mr.. II. +. t'enuell, president
# the anti-saloon league several oth-
er officers Of that organization, various
ministers Of the city anC others inter
ested in the prohibition cause, these
being Bishop Strange, Rev. A. D. Me-
Clure. D. D.; Rev. J NJ Wells, D. D.;
t.ev T. A. Smoot, Rev. T. P. Noe, Rev.
F D Hale. D. D.: Rev. ]. S. Crowley
and Messrs j. H. Chadbourn, W. M.
Cumming. J. A. Taylor, W. H. Spruunt,
H. w. Malloy, c. w. Worth, Preston
Cumming, D L. Gore, George Roun-
tree, Esq, and others.
Mr.. Fennelf, president Of the local
anti-s,ilooa league, acted as master
Of ceremonies and he opened the meet
ing. A fervent prayer was then offer
ID by Rev. DR.. Wells, pastor OF the
First Presbyterian church, after which
the orator was presented in neat and
complimentary speech Of Introduction
by George Rountree, Esq, CT the local
ha-.
MT. Rountree stated at the outset
that the great issue is not TO be set
tied by calling hard names or by hys-
terical declarations against all those
who sell liquor nor by eloquent appea s
iI be settled by the other side calling
fanatics or hypocrites
nor by the glib quotation Of "old saws"
about personal liberty. There issno
such thing he said as unrestricted lib
erty and the liquor traffic must be re-
strfcted. Opinions differ as to how the
question must be settled but the Issue
must appeal to the intelligence of the
people Informed by their consciences.
He then spoke OF the fortunate selec-
ton of speakers, paid high tribute
to the former governor and then pre-
sented him to the audience.
The disting nguished visitor was heart
lily applauded as he advanced to the
front of the rostrum.
The governor Thanked Mr.. Rountree
for his cordial and complimentary
words of introduction and he stated
that he had nothing new to tell but
only the old things that the people al
ready knew, to stir their hearts by re-
nembrance. He said that the question
Is a most difficult one and the effort IS
tc find the truth and to do that which
best.
In proof of the fact that he was no
new convert to the cause, Governor
Aycock referred to the vote he cast
IN 1881 for state prohibition and he
averred that he had voted for it ever
since. He said that then it required
courage to stand for prohibition and
old of the threats made to many CT
he leaders that if they Joined in the
their careers would be at an
end. But by calling their names and
telling OF the honors that have come
10 some of them he showed that tn ?
threats were of no consequence. Among
hose who stood for prohibition at that
ime were Judge ]. c. MacRae; for
ner Governor Jarvis; Supreme Court
Justice Cannon and others. One who
stood out against the movement was
he beloved. Vance. but Mr.. Aycock
;aid that the people loved him so that
le could hold any TieW. He related
In anecdote In which Vance had said
hat his heart was with you,' to the
but his stomach was
,rainst you" and said that I'VE had
he best part OF him" and III every man
would give his heart to the cause no
more could be asked
As TO personal liberty the orator
aid that he was raised In saat school.
hat he was Jefferson democrat and
/ Hard Shell Baptist, and that the only
,ersonal liberty worth having Ii the
iberty % do right "Give me that
4 declared ~and viii thank any man
n take away frqm me the right TO
"A
sWhat j glorious spectacle It viii
Is he seontfnued to see this people
.rv>s.<4r and awakened Valkine steadi-
y - ~ polls rzId Giv1nE NJ this thing
81 the sake of somebody eaBs. he
II3ev eIred fho charge that prohibition