The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1910-04-14
WILLNOT DOWN.
Agitation for Local Self.Government
viii Continue Despite Talk to the
Contrary, Says This Writer.
Editor Gold Leaf.

Editor Gold Leaf
From the criticisms OF the press in GER
tain quarters. as we'll as those emana-
ting from individ uals of the movement
made by the citizens of Vance i'm the in
terest OF local option, one would infer, it
has stirred up hornets nest through
out the State and has driven conster-
nation to the hearts OF politicians of
both parties, who have taken refuge on
the fence top, and hardly know on which
side to fall. Those behind this move
ment as has been intimated, are neither
soaks, sots, nor drunkards, but sober.
conservative, and thoughtful men:
neither have they political axes to grind
nor are they catering for Office at the
hands OF the people. but are representa-
tives of as good citizenship as any in
North Carolina. But they do oppose the
prohibition law now On the statute
books OF the State. because it is contrary
to the principles of a Democratic govern
ment, and abridges the rights of it's citl-
zens, which are guaranteed to them by the
Constitution. Therefore as free citizens.
they oppose prohibition which they be-
lieve to be farce and humbug, as is evil
dent to ali who have studied the ques-
ton. THE Legislature was called in an
extra session to settle the railroad rate
matter, which was satisfactorily adjust
ed; but by the chicanery of demagogues.
posing as moralists, they called an extra
election, costing the people $40, 900, to
determine whether liquors should be sold
or prohibited in North Carolina and
placed the date of election at a season of
the year when they knew a full vote
would not be cast. nor did they allow
the people time to hear the question dis
cussed. The result was prohibition pre-
vailed, but so to 80 thousand voters fail
ed to go to the polls. Had the election
occurred at the regular time in Novem-
Der it would have been defeated not by
10000 but $4,000 to 10000 votes and
this the demagogues knew and took
snap Judgment on the people,
But what has this law accomplished?
Has it diminished the consumption of
whiskey? No. Has it lessened drunk
enness? No. Has it decreased crime? No.
Has it extinguished the illicit distiller
and blind tigers? No. Then what has
it accomplished? 1t has created more
unrest, discomfort, generalization and
unlawfulness than any law ever enacted.
The Commissioner of Revenue at Wash
lngton in his report of December, l 1909,
states that more whiskey was shipped to
North Carolina during the year 1909,
than in any preceding year. The com
munication was sent to the News and
Observer by it's Washington correspond
ent. Not day passes, buG the express
company delivers to it's patrons in this
State, thousands of dollars worth of
whlskey. Nor is there a county in
North Carolina free from the manufac-
ture, and sale, but in the face of all those
incontrovertible facts, our prohibition
friends insist that North Carolina is a
dry State. 1t seems that North Carolina
prOhibitionists prefer that Virginia
liquor dealers should supply the people
OF North Carolina with whiskey, instead
OF our own manufacturers; why should
they have the right of way? Is it be-
cause the Virginia whiskey has a better
flavor, or are they catering for their CO.
operation during the coming campaign,
to keep the throttle on the throats of
our people, to furnish the liquor dealer
and replenish the treasury of Virginia
with the millions of dollars that are an
nually leaving this State? While our
treasury is being depleted, and taxes of
property owners are increasing to sup
ply the deficit from the loss of revenue.
Who among the people are being benefit
ed under the prohibition law? I know
but two classes. viz: The blind tigers.
and their defenders. Now whatever senti-
ments a lawyer himself may entertain,
according to the rules of the profession,
he cannot consistently refuse to defend
one charged with the most fragrant
crime, be he even a poor wretch of a
blind tiger, who in the estimation of the
narrow gagged individual, should be
dealt with more than murderer or high
way robber. But not so with the level
headed, broad guaged attorney who al
lows no sentiment to interfere with his
professional duties. With heart over
flowing with sympathy, with zeal and
ability, with the logic of Webster and
eloquence of a Demothenes, he trans
forms the vicious tiger into harmless,
innocent little lamb, and asks for his &C.
qulttal. Whatever the verdict rendered
may be, guilty or not guilty, the attor-
ney for the defense, receives his fee, often
from the funds of money accumulated
from selling the accursed stuff, so abhor-
rent to the tender conscience OF the pro-
hlbitionist. But no questions are asked.
In conclusion let it be known, that no
stone will be left unturned, to accomplish
the repeal of the prohibition law, which is
a farce and fraud upon the people. Let
the question be agitated from the noun
talns to the seashore, until it shall bee
plunged from the statute books of North |
Carolina thereby giving the people as
freemen, the right OF selfgovernment.
COLIN MCNAIR. |