The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-09-08
TEMPERANCE RALLY
Hon. SeabOrn Wright Addresses
Voters.
Courthouse Filled Strong Speech De-
livered, Etc. Etc.


Notwithstanding the intense heat,
the courthouse was crowded Sunday
afternoon to hear Hon. Seaborn
Wright, of Georgia, on the temperance
oues ton. About 600 men were pres
ent. fully 400 of whom were voters.
Prior to the regular exercises a chorus
of children sang some stirring hymns.
Mr.. NJ. G. Willis presided and IN
well chosen words stated that the night
was nearing its close and that the Anti
Saloon League had endeavored to deal
souarely with the people. He warned
against being misled by any surprises
that might be sprung by the "wets
at the last moment
Rev. +. j. Richardson explained how
the ballots should be marked.
Rev. j. II. Henderlite was intro
duced. He said that the honor and
good name Of the community demand
ed that the dry policy be given far
trial. A dry policy of fifteen months
could not be judged as against hun
dred years of the entrenched saloon.
Mr.. Henderlite introduced Mr..
Wright, who spoke as follows:
In no place in America where the sa-
loon is outlawed and held, will public
sentiment tolerate its re-entrance.
Rightly understood, this is not ques-
ton that affects the individual. Pro-
hibitory law does not affect the indi-
vidual's right to take a drink. The
right could not be taken from the man.
We are not trying to deprive any man
of his liberty, but we beg the man not
to bring into the community system
that blights the best interests of their
fellow men.
The speaker said he believed in lib
erty. but he would not be willing for
his own convenience to harm his fel-
low man. Search all organic law and
YOU will find no reference to personal
liberty. No constitution promises per-
sonal liberty. Thomas Jefferson's doc
ument is a great bill Of surrender,
wherein men laid down their personal
liberty for the public good.
The women and children have a place
in this conflict, becausethe man 5 priv
ilege of drinking to his comfort means
the suffering of women and children.
In its last analysis the burden of the
SdlOOl upOl bllN uSipiSoos
The liquor traffic is controlled by a
trust with $500, 900, 900 invested. How
does it live? What gives it value? 1t
is the $50, 900, 900 spent in drink. The
life of the average drinking man is 20
years. The thing that gives value to
the money invested is the new crop of
drinkers raised up from the boys. The
system has so arranged itself that 1t
reaches over the brutal heads Of drunk
en- fathers and lays hold on the boys.
The fight is not against local men,
but against a foreign institution whose
very principle is to debauch and ruin
our manhood.
The man who makes the money is
the manufacturer. 70 per cent of liq-
uor money goes to him. Never will the
liquor interest fasten itself again on
the South so long as the spirit OF Lee
and Jackson is in the hearts Of the peo-
pie. The saloon drains town. 1t is a
leech drawing the blood Of the people.
The people pay 50 for gallon Of
LIQUOR costing originally 25c. The peo-
pie pay all the tax. No government has
a right to fix an evil on the people and
perpetuate it. In dry town the men
who have been drinking liquor will
probably go on drinking it. When the
men who order liquor today are gone.
the new generation don't want 1t and
will not have it. Shall we fasten the
system on the community?
The old law sanctioned, protected and
fostered the saloon; the prohibitory law
outlaws it. If the saloon opens IN Fred
ericksburg again, it is at the invitation
of the people of the city and on the
people is the responsibility for result
ing evil. When a city for revenue es-
tablishes an institution that brutalizes
and destroys its youth it assumes
fearful risk.
The saloon must die if our civilization
is to attain the height to which it
aspires.
What makes town?
Not its railroads, stores or factories;
these are incidental. A town is made by
clean hightoned manhood.
The laws of business are not contrary
to the laws of God. Fredericksburg is
the gateway TO the South. The South
has risen up. Only three cities between
Washington and New Orleans in which
the traffic is legalized.
Let Virginia rise in her might and
rid herself of the pernicious influence.
Let not Fredericksburg surrender to
the system.
MIR. Wright is an orator of high rank
and it is rarely that our people have the
opportunity of hearing an issue SO
eloquently presented.
He announced that he would speak
Monday night specially to workingmen
OF, fhnir ralntinn To the linnnnr traffic.