The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-09-01
Temperance RALLY
Addresses at Methodist Church by
Local And Other Speakers.
LETTER FROM Mr.. FiTzHUGH, ETC.

| The Methodist churcn was hlleu WV"
a great crowd Monday night in atten-
dance on a temperance rally. A stirring
introduction 10 the meeting was the
singing of number Of temperance
songs by a chorus of children.
Rev. r. A. Williams presided and in
troduced Rev. DR.. Hammer, of Ma
nassas, who read scripture lesson and
offered prayer.
Mr.. Williams welcomed the great
crowd of men, women and children and
introduced Mr.. B. p. Willis. who spoke
from the words of Habakkuk: "Woe
unto him who giveth his neighbor
drink. &"
MIR. Willis said, among other things:
does himself. and the man who votes for
the establishment of the saloon is re-
sponsible for what the saloon accom-
plishes. 80
He spoke of the unfairness in calling
the election before the two years OF
dry rule had expired.
He showed by figures that the city
was in an improved condition financial
". educationally and morally. He spoke
! feelingly of some of the children whom
he had known when he was in educa-
tional work here, who are now filling
suicide or drunkard's graves through
the influence of the saloon.
He urged all men TO put forth their
best efforts to keep the. great evil out
of our midst
MIR. Williams then presented Mr.. w.
IL. Brannan, teacher of the Brannan
Bible Class. Mr.. Brannan stated that
he had no argument to present, but
that his appeal was that the people
should do the right. A great conflict IS
on between good and evil. God IS su-
preme and his plans shall eventually be
carried out.
The church will be triumphant. The
liquor traffic is the enemy of God and OF
the church. The saloon fosters all the
vices and evils that the church fights.
Every Christian should stand for his
church and against the saloon.
Mr.. E. II. Russell was then intro
duced and spoke as follows: The ex-,
istence of the saloon is the most vital
question that confronts the people of
any community. A great responsibility
rests on the voter. Not one good thing
comes to the community through the
saloon. 1t can only be excused as a
necessary evil" and no evil is neces-
sary. The saloon is a menace TO the
schools. 1t would be the greatest folly
to advertise the saloon as means OF
securing scholars for Normal School or
College. The Normal School. the Col
lege and the Home and School are
great assets in the community and
should be protected.
Prohibition does prohibit, and where
it does not the fault is not with the
law, but with those who should en-
force it.
To hope to strengthen our young
people by subjecting them to tempta-
ton is playing with fire.
The saddest thing in this country to-
day is the low estimate placed on the
right of suffrage. He asked who
wanted the saloons back. He quoted
the chairman of the finance committee,
the president of the Council and the
mayor of the city, showing the remark
able prosperity of the city and the
splendid outlook.
In conclusion he said there is no
honest argument that can be used tor
the saloon and he urged that every
man vote with recognition OF his o6li-
CATION of God and his responsibility fNr
the happiness of women and chlldre.-
and the real prosperity Of the city.
Rev. E. j. Richardson emphasized
what had been said and promised more
and more convincing arguments. he
said the fight was not of the temperance
people of Fredericksburg against the
saloon people of the city, but OF the or
ganized LIQUOR force of the country and
the fights one of good against evil.
Mr.. Russell then read the following
letter from Mr.. St. Geo. r. Fitzhugh,
who is at Buffalo Lithia Springs, at the
same time paying a glowing tribute to
Mr.. Fitzhugh's intelligence, integrity,
honestness and fearlessness:
August 81, 1910.
NV Dear Mr.. Willis:
Your favor of the 18th inst. just re-
ceived.
was, as you know, bitterly opposed
to springing a local-option election on
our city at this time, and did all IN my
power to prevent it.
| deemed it best for all parties that
there should be full two years test OF
prohibition, and to this test those VINO
voted dry in the last election were
clearly entitled.
favor square deal in all matters.
and | should not vote in this election II
at home.
With kind regards,
Sincerely,
(Signed) st. Geo. X. fltzhugh.
The meeting was closed with benedic-
| a.. - Do, n y Tocnho