The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-09-06
UNIQUE ADDRESS
A Department Store" Temper.
ance Talk.
REV. Mr.. McALISTER TO VOTERS

The Department Store" address on
temperance delivered at the courthouse
Thursday night by Rev. J. Il. McAlis-
ter was decidedly unique and very
effective.
On the platform a large stand had
been erected and displayed thereon
were number of such wares as would
be found in a regular department store
groceries. clothing, shoes. hats, dry
good, stationery, &c, were tasteiully
arranged, while a number of bottles
and a beer keg showed the presence OF
a saloon.
Mr.. McAlister's address was in the
nature of a conversation with the vari-
GUS interests represented. While the
grocer and others were in business by
the exercise Of God given right, the
saloon man had to acknowledge that he
had no rights except such as were given
him, the Supreme court of the u. ).
in l3 decisions and various State courts
in 81 decisions. establishing the fact
that there is no inherent right TO exist
vested in the saloon.
The supreme law Of the land IS not
personal liberty, but public necessity.
1t is impossible to exercise individual
liberty that will damage society.
The responsibility Of the saloon is
with the people and in granting license
they assume that responsibility. The
saloon man cannot understand why the
church member should vote TO put him
in a business, connection with which
would exclude him from church men,
bership.
The grocer and others are in politics
incidentally; the saloon man Is IN poll
tics for what control he can get and
his party principle is "liquor " The
business relations between the grocer,
dry goods man and others are amicable
and they are inter-dependent.
The BUSINESS of the saloon IS sepa-
rate and distinct and directly antagonls-
tic to every other business. When the
saloon business goes up the others go
down. Ii is a mistake to suppose the
saloon pays the taxes. 1t is OF necessity
a predatory institution.
The saloon is not a moral asset. The
man who votes to establish II would
be unwilling 10 have it next door TO him.
The grocer does not object to his en-
ployes being on good terms with the
stationer and his other neighbor, but
when he finds them frequently in the
saloon he advises them to get another
job.
Wives and daughters may patronize
any of the stores, but are held up to
scorn if they enter the saloon.
The saloon is a menace TO the church
as is no other business. Its prosperity
is built on the adversely Of its patrons.
While ordinary business helps TO solve
race problems the saloon is race riot
breeder. And in every race trouble the
first move is to close the saloon. The
regular business enterprises OF town
bring comfort, peace, JOY; the saloon
brings misery, poverty. disgrace:
An earnest plea was made for ef-
fectual prayer, prayer that would ex-
press itself in work and vote. The
climax was almost thrilling as the
whiskey bottles were hurled into the
open keg and smashed and the people
were called on to keep out the saloon.
Mr.. B. p. Willis presided over the
meeting, Rev. J. r. Jacobs led in
PRAYER and Rev. Z. J. Richardson made
a short forceful address, calling atten-
tion to some misrepresentation and
warning the temperance forces to be
on their guard.
The courthouse was crowded al
most 10 its capacity.
Announcement was made that Hon.
Seaborn Wright would address men
only on next Sunday afternoon.