The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-08-02

Going too Fast.

Marion Standard.
The Standard has endeayored TO con-
sistently support the prohibition move-
ment in Alabama since the campaign
was inaugurated some three years ago.
1t was at Marion that Mr.. Brooks Law
renee began his campaign and formed
his first local organization with Rev.
Mr., Chappelle. then pastor OF the
Methodist Church at Marion, as prest-
dent. and the editor of this paper a.
secretary, The movement was new,
satisfactory that Mr.. Lawrence was
refused the use of the churches on his
first visit in which to make his adj
dress, and was forced to appear In the
undaunted, Mr.. Lawrence came again,
and this time was, given hearing In
the Sloan Baptist Church which was
followed by the organization above
noted. A large per cent. of our Lead
ing citizens Joined the organization.
and for several months there was ae-
tive work. As result the county was
WITHOUT opposition. Il being almost the
unanimous opinion that an election
was unnecessary.
6ence that the work Of the prohibition
lists In this county has been cautious
and consistent.
But in our efforts to prohibit the
strain crime and build mp better class
of morals, 1t was not our purpose to
sacrifice our manhood or restrict our
citizenship to the dictatorship OF any
there Is a county In Alabama that can
lay claim to a more Intelligent ana
patriotic citizenship than Perry. She
has been the hester OF numerous re-
many OF the leading citizens OF the
state were born and had their training.
That we are Americans to the manner
born we have proven by our patriot
ism and soldiery bearing from Mexico
to Santiago: that we believe in FREQ
and equal rights and local self-govern-
ment-protections of life and property
and the pursuit OF happiness, and to
worship God according TO the dictates
of our own conscience, history has al
ready marked in the record book from
Manassas to AppomatoX; that We can.
not be subjected by force or lead by
favor to yield a principle, was DEM
onstrated during the dark days Of re-
construction.
by the Governor of our state. backed
by oyerzealous church leaders, to spoil
by their intolerance the work already
done in a moral cause. VIII not receive
We have talked personally with many
good and true men on this subject,
and Irrespective OF creed. they are OPP
posed to the radical movement to fur
They are opposed to incorporating In
the constitution of our state police
law that is yet untried.
They are opposed to tinkering with
the constitution with a view 10 politi-
cal preferment, or to inaugurate
measure that may prove disastrous.
They are opposed to u change In any
way in our organic law which has
proven a bearer against every effort at
unfair legislation and an unjust en-
forcement of the law.
For near ten years this Instrument
has stood the test OF the wiley law
maker who when he thought he had
clinched the chain Of some unwise and
selfish measure. stood in letters like
Paul before Agrippa.
And our people are also opposed to
such church intolerance as exhibited in
the case of Mr.. Mccord; II Is a clear
demonstration Of church against state
and cannot fail to weaken, II 1t does
not prove the death knell. to the great
moral issue. the success OF which is
now uppermost in the minds Of all true
| citizens.
The people will not yet yield the
privilege OF free speech in the advoca-
| cy of an honest and economical prfnci-
| pie even to the cloth. The moralist
without a church is far better citizen
in the eyes of God and man than a re-
| ligious demagogue.