The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-11-16

It has been just SO IN the present
campaign. Seeing from the beginning
that 1t was going to be really a po-
uticaI struggle: and foreseing that 1t
was a matter about which good men
could differ; and telling sure that
even with most calm and conservative
methods that could be brought to bear
there was bound to be more or less
of bitterness engendered. and hard
feelings left among many who have
heretofore thought and acted together
always. The Advertiser was in favor
Of a campaign of calm argument. Of
conservatism and OF tolerance.
But what was the result? Almost
from the very inception of the cam
paign the advocates started in on a
bitter and offensive war against all
who could not see their way to support
the measure. AS good and strong men as
this state can boast were abused.
slandered. viiiifed and misrepresent-
ed In way that would not have been
expected from those who set up the
plea that It was a moral issue. If
they believed that 1t was certainly
incumbent on. them to conduct their
campaign on high moral plane and
try to win by sound argument. and by
appeals to the reason and Intelligence
Of the voters.
Did they do this? ANY one who
has at all kept up with the course
pursued By the amenders know that
they did nothing Of the kind. They
started out to conduct an cronsive
campaign. and their aim seemed to be
TO mske 1t as Offensive as possible:
offensive not only to their opponents
but to good taste. morals and justice.
Their newspapers began war of
denuncia,ien against the anti-amend-
ment forces and seemed TO lose sight
of everything but the furtherance Ct
their own interests and purposes.
Their speakers. with some creditable
exceptions. have gone over the State
hurling invectives and insults at all
who opposed them. What was much
worse, some of their ministers have
not hesitated to take advantage OF
their position to carry on campaign
Of abuse and often of misrepressnta-
ton Knowing that they were practi-
caliy secure against correction oil
contradiction. they have in number
of cases made charges and assertions
which were utterly unfounded and in
correct. but which at times were little
less than a disgrace to their calling.
| Under such conditions, and seeing
that calm reasoning and argument
would have no effect on such advo'
Gates, what was any conscientious and
independent newspaper to do? VIVA
could this paper do when such wal
was made on it? Should it neekl,
bow its head and submit quietly Il
abuse? Should it content itself will
throwing grass and flowers at 1T
abusers and calumniators? Shoul'
it remain silent when slandered ant
adopt the role of mildness and non
resistance?
Well. that may be the way SOM
good people look at 1t. but we mus
confess that 1t did not strike us tina
way. There may be times when
would be best to turn the other cheel
when one has been smitten, but W
cannot adopt that role in such a cas-
as the present. Our intention is to b
accurate and truthful. but we ar
equally determined to speak plainly
forcefully and fearlessly. and maintain
our side of this most important cam
paign by using plain English. 1t
pretty certain that 1t will cause som
hard feelings. even among some VIII
have always been in line with US.
this happens the aggrieved ones mus
get what consolation they may out O
the knowledge that they were tn
aggressors.
The fact is that this campaign ha
reached stage where 1t would seer
impossible, because of the course O
the amenders. to conduct 1t wit
courtesy and charitable forbearanc'
To refrain from replying In kind t
the abuse that is heaped on us; to g
along in the even tenor of our wa
and take no notice of insult would b
regarded as an evidence OF weakness
and cowardice. and that is not ou
idea of warfare. We expect to dea
with them as they deserve. and an
swer them as nearly in their own wa
as decency will permit. In the word
of the Scottish chieftain:
Come one. come all: this rock sha
fly.
From its firm base as soon as !.