The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-24

has been brought into politics by ac-
ton OF law; 1t hag ueen licensed by
act Of legislation, and 1t IL being kept
In politics and made one OF the lead
Ing forces In running the affairs of
State Like every other thing that
the saloon has touched, 1t has even
polluted this and made It vile in the
truly patriotic people. Yet. the sa-
loon has gotten into our political life,
and its touch has besmirched the
once clean garments Of this exalted
profession, the science of govern
ment." Such a sentiment has been
created of late against the liquor
business that our wet friends are at
tempting to make the saloon some
what respectable; Hercules never had
a harder talk. They say we must
regulate 1t! Yet, we must regulate
smallpox, too, and rattlesnakes, but
the only regulation that will really
count decentralization. liz the saloon
has gotten into our body polite by
law, then IL the people of Virginia
want to purify the politics of the State
they surely have right to do so by
law. IL the saloon has been legis-
lated into existence, then when the
people so determine they can ask
for the right to legisiate 1t out
Is there any logic in the claim of
the saloon people that a man who
knows that the saloon Is menace
to good government, an enemy TO the
home, the school and the church,
be that man a lawyer. doctor. teacher.
merchant, farmer or preacher, has
no moral. legal or religious right to
do all he can by voice, example or
vote to destroy such an evil2 Has
the time come for the people of Vir-
ginia to submit to having the very
worst element in the State. aided by
to take charge of our affairs and
conduct them in accordance with
their views and for their particular
protection? We are told by some
that IL is not democratic for GER
tain section of the State to ask the
Legislature at this time for an act
by which to submit the question OF
Statewide prohibition to the people
They say What right have the ma
jority of the voters of three-fourths
of Virginia to force this matter upon
the other one-fourth? Just as much
right yea. and more. rnan the H.
quor people of Richmond. Peters
burg, Norfolk and Roanoke have to
force their jug trade upon the people
in any localities. If the wet people
will keep their jugs at home we do
not object to 1t If they want to drink.
but we most emphatically protest
against them having permission by
aw to turn loose their flood of liquor
upon us when we have voted out the
saloon and have taken away the legal
right of any of our own citizens to
sell liquor here. Is that democratico
1t is not because this question Is
one OF legislation alone. but we are
against the saloon because 1t Is a
moral wrong inflicted upon a people
and done by law. The ministry OF
our dear old State should be against
every wrong, and should not stand.
but work and pray and vote If yot-
ing becomes necessary to destroy an
evil
Il am n preacher. citizen and
Democrat. and | can attempt at least
to measure up to the very highest
standard of the Christian ministry.
the purest citizenship and the most
unterrified democracy when ] advo-
cate the claims and go to the ballot
box and deposit my ballot for State
wide prohibition. The opinion of the
pure. considerate, unseifisn. noble
minded saloon interest to the con-
trarv! r. p. e.
eoeington. Va, Feb. 2f. 1910