The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-16

htbition speech ever heard was made twenty-five years ago Nhy pr. Wyman in the court house ct Tuscaloosa, and now Dr. wyman is strenuousiy op- posed to the amendment:
 There are two wings In the tsnper- ence body of this state. The one we might call the moderate wings. On the other hand there Is the wing which Is radical enough to want to put their own views into the constitution T of the State.
 'The temperance people have . per feet right to be here to hold the con- stitution inviolate. do not concede that in coming here today have yield ed one jot in temperance. I believe as always did that some places should have dispensaries and others should have prohibition.
 T claim this represents real tenn perance--a temperate view of temper ance. I am more in sympathy with temeprance when I vote against this amendment than would be otherwise.
 If we are to carry the coming election on the constitutional amend ment, we will do 1t, not by denouncing 1 as fanatics those on the other side. but by proving that we ourselves are not fanatics.
 T hope that nothing will be said and that no resolutions will be adopted by | the spirit of moderation and toler- ance.
 l Perhaps those on the other side will ask. How will you sustain your statement that you can vote against the amendment and yet be a prohibi- tionist. Let me give you a view from Q temperance mans standpoint. | About three months ago a meeting of a great denomination was held In I api1 fA hA Baptist Convention. You know the Baptists always have a committee on temperance. Such a committee was named at Louisville. I do not have copies of their resolutions with me. but I wish to discuss one of them from memory. In defining temper ance. the gentlemen on this commit- | two things--first, In the total abstin- ence of that which is bad or wrong; second. In the moderate use of that which Is good"
 MT. Moody here explained that he had not tasted @ teaspoonful of h- quor in twenty-five years except when prescribed for medicinal pur- poses
 But want to use the second part l of this Baptist resolution-'the moder- ate use of that which Is good as text for opposing this amendment. When 8 man Is sick, he goes to the doctor. The remedy must be taken in moderate doses. The temperance peo- pie think the restraining laws are proper remedy for the liquor traffic But they should be moderate and tenn perate in the exercise of these laws against liquor.
 temperance History.
 Allow me to give you brief his- | tory of temperance Legislation in this State. have tried for twenty five years to secure relief, first for my own county and then for the State. It became a habit of the Leg islature to give any counties which asked for 1t local prohibition or dis pensary laws. The movement grew.
 When the last Democratic conven- ton met, 1t adopted a plank in its platform for local option. The Legis- lature met and enacted the local op- ton law. An election was held. Lo- cal option was repealed and state wide prohibition was adopted. Then came the Carmichael law. The Fuller | bill was passed. Next we were given the 'where-do- you get-your- booze bill. And now they want us to make an amendment to the Constitution. want to ask you if these statutory bills are not sufficient for you Bap- lists who believe in the moderate use of a good remedy? These acts ought to be sufficient"
 Mir. Moody here gave as an Illus tration the incident of a man who l eats a very hearty dinner. On his way to the office in the afternoon he buys sack of peanuts The bangs of hum 1 ger again attacked him in a few hours. Instead of turning to sack of peanuts, the hungry man went to restaurant and ordered heavy meal. A physician figured in the fin al scene.
 Like the Hungry Man. Those favoring this amendment may be likened to the hungry man. For dinner they have had as meat and vegetables and dessert the Carmichael ] law, the Fuller bill and the where do- do-you-get-your-boo bill. Now. in stead of being content with enforce ment of the present laws. they must needs have another feast-an amend ment to the Copstitution. We believe | they are already in need of a phy- sician, and this conference stands ready to render medical aid. l A refusal to vote for this amend ment Is a more temperate use of the privileges of the people than vote flor 1t. We should set an example for these other people. In the words of the apostle. Paul. let us Be moderate in all things
 There are those who say that the defeat of this amendment will mean 8 backset to prohibition. I do not ad- init this. If a backset comes. 1t will be only for better results in the end.
 'These things are coming too rash ly; too fast. They are getting an the side of intemperance. The men who advocate temperance should set an example of sobriety in speech as well as in other things. It is contrary to true progress to force things too rap idly.
 'The great trouble in this thing is that many who are in front are young converts We bid them welcome, but they ought not to be allowed to do indiscreet or unwise things. There should be no zeal without discretion. To charge a battery and have all your men killed does no good
 Temperance has become intemper- ance. But 1 have said enough (Cries of Go on. Let us hear more.D
 TO my friends on the other side and I have many of them over there wish to put this one question. They all claim to be reasonable men. They all claim to be moderate men. But af- ter they have had local option after they have had the Carmichael bill; af- ter they have had that other name less bill; and after they have had con- stitutionaI prohibition. if they can get it: after these things, I ask, how can they say that any legislation can be immoderate?
 'I want to make this suggestion to