Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1908-06-11

Following is the full text OF the
great speech delivered at the court
house in Hopkinsville Thursday
night, May 2S, by Judge A. j. G.
Wells, of Murray, under the auspi-
res of the Law and Order League,
of Hopkinsville and Christian coun-
ty:
Mr.. President, Members Of the Law
and Order League, Ladies and
Gentlemen
You wild pardon me in the outset
for word personal and explana-
tory. 1t has never been my custom
in public addresses to use a manu-
script. Indeed / can recall only one
or two occasions in which ! have
done so, but for several reasons l
have seen proper to do so at this
time. First, because of strenuous
duties in the past few weeks; second
for the reason that ] may know ac-
curately and surely just what has
been said when l-shall have finished.
While the use of the manuscript
NAV detract something from the de-
livery, l am sure you will hear me
patiently on account of the right
eousness of the cause which we rep
resent.
/ appreciate this opportunity of
meeting the people of Hopkinsville
and Christian county. l have heard
much of your hospitality, your
schools, your churches, your fertile
fields, your loyalty and patriotism,
your distinguished men and women
in public and private life.
! am deeply sensible of the honor
you have conferred in thus inviting
me to address you upon this occasion.
At the same time l feel keenly that
the task is delicate one. Delicate
for the reason that in these times
the most simple sentence, the kind
est utterance, the best act or deed
are by some construed or rather dis.
tOrted into meaning out of all pro-
portion to the authors intent. ]
can scarcely expect in so large and
intelligent an audience that each
one will agree with me at all points.
If at any point we differ let it be
fairly agreed here and now that
neither of us will attempt to per-
suade the other by the introduction
of Night Rider tactics. Because
there attaches responsibility, be-
cause the task is difficult, however,
is no sufficient reason that it should
be stunned. There's no disputing
the fact that the last few years have
brought to us new questions. With
these questions we must deal hon
estly, frankly and fairly. Our con-
slant aim must be to reach fair and
lust conclusions. The frenzy that
has seized the minds of some of our
people will subside. The cool con-
sentative view of existing evils must
prevail. Law and order must and
will be restored. and out of all the
chaos that now prevails must come
the clear sunlight of truth. Every
citizen must be protected in his con-
stitutional rights. The Goddess of
Reason must be enthrone1. The
cruel monster of unbridled passion
and midnight revelry must give way
to reason and common sense. When
this new order of affairs shall be,
the Night Rider shall be supplanted.
Neighbor shall reason with neigh
bor-not drive him; p!ead-not
force; persuade-not intimidate; beg
not beat; love-not lash him.
The conditions which face US to
day are not easy of solution. Their
being difficult should be no excuse
for inaction. A brief summary at
this point might prove advantageous
to those of US who may seek to re-
store the law-another name for
liberty.
A SHORT HISTORY.
A few years ago there sprang into
the Dark Tobacco Planters
Protective Association. The move.
ment was born of necessity. The
tobacco trust had absolute control
of prices on tobacco and used their
ground arbitrarily and
tyranically. Little by little they
reduced the price until the farmers
labor, no matter how diligent, failed