The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-12-15
PEOPLES FORUM
Al Hail TO Iynchburg's Noble Defenders .

Editor of The Virginian:
Sir.--I sorry the Hill City's electorate mas
put the gcodiy old burg back in the net column,
but the splendid spirit OF. loyalty to the truth
displayed by the defeated but not dismayed
minority VIII remain potent factor in the re-
lentess campaign for Statewide prohibition. The
liquor oligarchy may center its guns on the
cities striving to free themselves from the in
cubus and may beat their tomtoms and sound
their guzzy-fuzzies OF victory now and then,
but the general and widespread awakening OF
the great public conscience goes on apace and
some bright morning tho black flag OF liquor
license VIII come down with thud and the
prohibition banner wave over the Old Dominion
from the mountains to the sea.
The strong entrenchment of our enemy is not
denied Tho liquor traffic commands untold
millions OF capital and its commercial and po-
ltical prestige Is immense. Add to this the
contingent army OF aiders and abettors the apol
ogetic allies and the passive acqutescents In the
traffic and 1t will be seen that we are contend
ing with mean foe in strength. But error
is never firmly established that truth can
not overthrow It, II is only necessary to arouse
the better sense of the masses and concentrate
the strength Of the friends of the church. the
home and the school determined stand
against their anomalous condition of submission
to traffic inimical to these basal institutions
The thing to do Is to unfurl the banner OF
Statewide prohibition and elect Il Legislature
that will strike from eur statute books the legal
sanction of the nefarious ira fic--to prohibit 1t
for Lynchburg and Richmond and everywhere
in the Commonwealth--and to elect officers who
will enforce the law Don't let's temporize with
the situation. don't let's regulate it remove
the incubus in spots: but put the whole beverage
liquor traffic everywhere under the ban and
keep it there
All hall noble band Of Lynchburg' Be not
discouraged. and, receiving the glad hand of
your brothers throughout the Commonwealth,
keep your armor Of light and do valiant
vice in the battle for Statewide" that IL going
to be won We are glad that of your
daily papers popular and influential. has Joined
the column OF the temperance forces and that
your school children are helping the cause
The children OF to-day will be the and
women OF tomorrow. and II is pleasant to con-
template that they will be free instead of slaves
To sckly sentimcntalsm in regard to the
license system.
oh, yes. will now be told again that the
prohibition wave Ia fast rcceding'" Those who
make loudest the declaration manifest their
insincerity by renewed activity against the pro-
hibitionists They Know that the enemies OF the
beverage liquor traffic were never more thor
oughy aroused and determined more genu-
inely and thoroughly united In heart and pur-
pose The handwriting IL the wall The
day OF doom for legal license approaches! The
clock In the beautiful temple OF freedom is
about strike high noon.
All hall noble hand or Lynchhurg. You
fought a. good fight, and though temporarily
and locally repulsed. your labors are not In
vain. Be of good cheer--victory cometh IN the
morninsi w. NJ. BICkERS
Richmond. Va, Dec ., ls10