The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-11-11
eoING BEYOND THE LIMIT.

ment are absolutely amazing. and 1t is difficult for sensible and decent people to understand or explain the reason. We might say that the false charges emenate from men of low character who have no regard for truth and decency but there we are confronted by the fact that men of standing and character. some of them ministers of the gospel. are among the offenders Then again we might explain 1t on the theory that those who utter these islanders are ignor- ant and uninformed. but here also, we realize that some of the most intel- ligent and wen-informed men of the State have not hesitated at making palpable mis-statements with no oth- CT object in view than to deceive the voters of Alabama and delude them into voting for the most dangerous proposition the people have been cali- ed to vote on.
 Perhaps one word will explain why these unfounded and libellous charges are being made. and that word is-- Desperation. The knowing ones among the advocates of the measure are able to see and understand that their case has reached a desperate condition and that desperate measures offer the only possible hope of sav- ing themselves; hence they stop at nothing that they think will stir up bitterness and prejudice and perhaps win votes for the amendment.
 For example, minister of the gos- pei Of peace and good will to all men Is quoted as saying that the opposi- ton to the amendment is composed of Growers. whiskey soaks and lewd women" Now, there are low poiitic- ians in Alabama. sas there are eIse- where.- who would not hesitate at an infamous islander of this nature They have no character or reputation to lose. and care nothing for truth and fairness. their only object being to advance their own personal interests Or those of some aspiring political friend.
 From men of this class nothing is expected but detraction and calumny against all who oppose them. but it Is disheartening, to say the least of it. when vile islanders of this sort em- enate from men whose high calling, If nothing else, should lead them to speak forth words of truth and sober ness, and carefully abstain from bit- terness and detraetion. and hold themselves above casting foul asper- sions on others. No minister can do any possible good for his congrega- ton or his denomination if he dis- sraces himself and his calling by de- scending to the low and disreputable devices of the interruptions polite ian.
 For a viier islander never was ut- tered by any speaker. As to the brew Iers. we. know, nothing. and have noth- \ ing to say. Very likely they are against the amendment, just as other citizens are. and just as they have a right to be. We can dismiss the brewers. whether they are for or against the measure. but when all the men of Alabama who belong to the opposition are set down and denomin- ated as 'whiskey soaks." the matter goes beyond the domain of discussion or argument and becomes faIsehood and nothing else. Any man in any community in Alabama who will look over the composition of the men who are approving this measure and then class all of them as drunkards-for that Is what the charge amounts to- must have little regard for fairness or veracity. Comparisons are said to be odious. but if careful examination could be made of the men on both sides we suspect that the opposition to the measure would show the larger percentage of lifelong. consistent and persistent prohibitionists; men who have not only advocated prohi- bition at all times and places. but have continually practiced 1t in their daily lives. To put 1t plainly. we in- cline very strongly to the opinion that the amendment people will find more "whiskey soaks" among their own followers than in the opposition.
 These charges are vile enough. in all conscience, but when a man goes still further and asserts that none but the lewd class among the women of Alabama are in the opposItioh the islander becomes infamous. for no oth- CT word will describe it properly Any man with intelligence and know ledge of what is going on knows that all over Alabama are to be found good women who are actively engag- ed in advocating the amendment. It may be mistaken zeal, 1t may be lack of information. or 1t may proceed from an erroneous idea that in this way they can help to correct the evils