The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1908-05-07
MIR. OATES GREAT ADDRESS,
A Large Audience Greeted Him In Hal
ifaX Monday.
A TELLING SPEECH FOR PROHIBITION.

At 100 O'Clock last Monday, after
the county convention had adjourn
ed, large audience assembled in
the court house at Halifax to hear
Mr.. Jno. A. Oates, chairman Of the
State Anti-SaIoon League, on prohi-
bition.
There was a good number Of ladies
in the audience, which was source
of inspiration for the occasion.
Mr.. Albion Dunn, chairman Of
Halifax county Ati-Saloon League,
called the meeting to order, and in
a few we'll chosen remarks in which
he felicitated Halifax county on the
good fortune in having such a speak
er with them, he presented to the
audience MIR. Oates, who, he said, is
as well acquainted with the people
and conditions in North Carolina as
any man in the State.
AGRsAT ADDRESS.
Mr.. Oates presents a striking ap-
paarance, showing clearly the marks
OF a student, keen and careful obser-
walton shining out from his pierre
ing black eyes.
He said he was glad indeed of the
opportunity to speak to the people
Of Halifax county on what he con-
sidered one o. the most important
subjects that have come before the
people of North Carolina. He had
no abuse for the liquor dealer or the
opponent Of prohibition, but wished
to help them. He said that the bus
mess men of the State and most of
the lawyers are advocates Of prohi-
hilton. Men sometimes say that it
IS not fair to vote to put another out
Of business, but he regarded it a
kindness to the liquor dealer to put
him out OF business, both for his
own interest and the interests of
others.
Mr.. Oates answered conclusively
the arguments of the opponents of
prohibition, cutting the ground from
under all Their positions against pro-
hibition. His address was punctuat
ed throughout with applause. He
drove home his strong and logical
arguments with apt and pointed il
llstrations and anecdotes.
There were many present who did
not favor prohibition, but the atten
ton Of every one was revited on the
speaker from the first sentence to the
last, and no enc who heard him went
away without feeling benefited
whether he was prohibitionist o.
anti-prohibit,onist. The audience
was alternately swayed from laugh
ter to tears as some amusing ant
effective anecdote was followed b,
some sad story of real life which
| told of the utter ruin and degreda
ton which strong drink brings tx
those who are bound by its in
| tluence.
Mr.. Oates closed his masterful ant
powerful address with beautiful
tribute to the Southern Confederacy
and declared that another confeder
acy is now forming into which ar,
coming States from all parts of GU
great Union of States, and under tn
pure white banner of temperate
, they are waging battle together t
: fdrive from amongst US the awfu
! liquor traffic with all its attendan
evils and rum to men. He pleade,
, eloquently for the protection of tn
homes, the women and children O
North Carolina, predicting decide
; victory for prohibition on the got
of May. and called upon Halifa
{ county voters to give a majority o
, at least five hundred.
, There was hearty applause as MI
Oates closed his address of nearly a
hour and half, and every one wen
out feeling that a great stride ha
been made for prohibition.
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