Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1909-02-17

n licans have been given chance e
= win, the like of which they have
S never had before.
In an able address delivered in g
remarkably brief space of time
Judge William Hodges Mann, can
didate for Governor and champion
| of the temperance cause in Virgin
I ia, outlined the purposes and aims
, of the Antl-SsloOn Leaugue.
! Judge Mann said in part;
1T is difficult within the Limits
of ten minute speech at the open
ing of this great gathering Of ear
nest Christian men and women, to
do more than touch the important
questions which we have met to
discuss.
cit is nevertheless inspiring to
Gee THE splendid assembly of men
and women who have come from
every section Of Virginia TO take
part in enc of the most important
conventions which has ever met In
the State.
"Grest parties have their conven
tons to declare principles and
nominate candidates: constitution
al conventions assemble to frame
Fundamental law; legislatures as
semble to enact laws In accordance
with, or such as are not prohibited
by the Constitution, for the wei
fare of the State and for the pro
lection of persons and property
and the advancement of great ed
ucational and industrial interests.
"But this convention goes deeper
and it's energies and abilities will
be expended in the upOuilding,up-
lifting and making pure ana
strong the men of this common
wealth, VINO constitute party con-
ver tious, constitutional conven-
tions and State Legislatures. We
are taking temptations out Ol III
way of our youths that they may
become strong, pure, manly men
and stand worthily beside the
noble women of Virginia; that
they may add pleasure to the
mothers and ornament the homes
and fireslGes, and finally take Their
places in public life; 10 fill and
adorn public positions; to pre-
serve to the State the aristOcracy
of worth; to become men like
those who made the history Of
this old commonwealth, which il
time past, was, and in the future
shall be, the mother of Presidents,
of statesmen and CT men. pure H.
heart, strong in mind, courageous
in action, heroes In peace and III
war.
"W hat has the league done in
Old Virginio, peopled with Anglo
Saxons of whom it has been sale
they have been drinking people
for more than 1900 years2
ut was born in the hearts Ct :
few Christian men and women il
1901. There was no place in II t
Inn for it, but instead of II man.
ger it first saw light in Christ
ian Church, and began it's existence
in the midst of enemies, and those {
who ridiculed it. drawing it's lie ;
and stlength from the principles
.augbt by Him who, though born
n a manger, spale as man never
ipake and loved as never mar
owed.
sit wisely commenced it's work
~ attacking the liquor business
ather than the people by whom 1t
vas carried On, it informed the /
,eOple Of the dangers and evils Of t
he liquor habit, it brought to 7
heir attention the calm and DELHI y
rate opinions Of our highest +
ourts proclaiming saloons where s.
liquor in small quantities could te 1
btained by all Corners to be the +
lost fruitful sources of crime and -
Misery, it showed that a large per-
entage of crime and misery was D.
sused by the incorporate use of f.
rdent spirits, and that even Il to
Moderate use was hurtful and N
angerous. ST
Seventy one counties out of Vir in
mas 100 have no form of IL re
ense, in fifteen counties there ia
'ere issued brandy and whiskey p'
lstlllery licenses only, making SO ~
ounties III which there are no sa II
)ons; ten of the eighteen cities 0
he State are under local option
ut of 1862 Incorporated towns 14O
re dry by loce option, ten of the bt
twenty-five have saloons ID
nd twelve have dispensaries, and a. a,
here is che dispensary in an unin-
town or village, making
lirteen dispensaries in all. pi
"The effect CT this greet reduc in
on in the number of places where We We
quor can be bought is most -
arked in rural districts, the un-
,ntradictory evidence that these
istrIcts are more quiet, orderly a
nd safer for ladies without es- Ell
,rts than before" w