The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-28
PEOPLES FORUM
Anotler Candidate for The supreme's Perditor

Anot1Mf tAluluuIr Tor the SupFemes PeTdition
Richmond, Va. Feb. 2b, 1911.
Rev. James Cannon. Jr., President Richmond
Virginian Co:
MFR. Dear Or. Cannon have followed with
a great deal of interest the proceedings of the
Anti-Saloon League Convention and the attitude
OF the daily wet press toward you and the
league.
Perhaps this word from me is not necessary
TO assure you of my continued warm regard
for you personally and for the good cause In
which you have been spending yourself so un-
sparingly.
Let me say just here that l most heartily en-
dorse the structures made by the league on the
wet" press of the State. SO far as / am ac-
quainted with the sheets TO which this term APP
plies. / have followed with growing disgust
and contempt the effort OF these papers to be-
little and destroy the cause for which the Anti
Saloon League stands by a cowardly and ma
lcious attempt to discredit the acknowledged
leader of the league in this State. / ar pleased
beyond measure that at least one man in the
state has had both courage and character suf-
ftciently strong, not only to be deferred by these
INSCRIPTIONS elements. but to openly condemn
and defy them.
1t has been a matter of growing amazement
to me that men like those who control some Of
our daily papers and for whom / have had a
high personal regard and whose Personal in
tegrity | do not like to doubt even now. can
consent to the prostitution of their organs to
what, looks like Il ~f deliberate, prenneditateG
withdrawing campaign for the overthrow OF
the leader or leaders of the cause that does not
happen TO accord with the avowed policy of
these papers on the liquor question. or the in
dividuai opinions of these men on the subject.
My Amusement has been increased by the at
temps on the part of these same organs on
several occasions to belittle and discredit move
ments which could have had none but helpful
influences on the community, and the ridicule
with which some of them have referred to the
most sacred things in their efforts TO uphold
or endorse the. most damnable things. n We are
told in explanation OF the anomaly that a mans
personal character may be one thing and the
character of his newspaper a totally different
thing. but to my mind this explanation only
complicates matters to the serious discredit Of
the man.
1t seems to me am after of great regret that
the voice of the compromiser is still heard in
the camp. and the campaign material which he
Is still giving the enemy is a far more effective
We might do and say.
The whiskey question is a live wire, indeed;
this battle, Is a deadly one, but the fight must
be to a finish. 1t Will never be settled until
1t IL settled Alright, 1t means that communities.
churches and even households will be torn
asunder and the parts arrayed against each
other. Some men must be in the forefront OF
the battle, even though their lives NAV be the
penalty. l thank God for every such man.
But all the tumult of a righteous war can never
approach in volume or intensity the helpless cry
of the multitude of women and children who
for generations have suffered the curse II that
devilish cause with which these respectable
gentlemen of such seemingly splendid attain
ments and characters have chosen to ally the
powerful newspapers whose policy they control.
But l have faith to believe that out OF this
chaos will come order. and out of this conflict
a blessed and righteous Peace for the future
EtiIi
Now. just a word about an editorial which
appears to-day In one of those self-same wet.
morning papers. 1t reminds me of the .'sou,.
thrown some months ago by this same paper
to the ministers and churches of Richmond
when the proposition to launch a local on
ton campaign in Richmond was defeated nv
the ''compromiser In the camp" One would
think from this and similar editorials that thix
sheet Is one of the strongest advocates of the
temperance movement and one of the best
friends of righteousness in the State. The great
pity about 1t is that this sort of well-devtsed
scheme will always work with som peopie.
Isn't II remarkable how this ardent friend OF
the temperance cause arrays the Scriptures
against you, l suppose you feel entirely
'squclcher' after this latest deIiverance. It re-
minds me Of the glibness with which a certain
parsonage quoted Scripture at our Saviour just
after the period of stress in the wilderness. Well.
just turn over the pages a little way and hear
the Saviour's answer--and from this taks
Blessed are We. when men shall re-
vile you and prosecute you and shall say Ill
of evil against you. falsely for my 49,.
and be exceeding glad. for great n
your reward in heaven. for 20 persecuted they
the prophets which were before you"
Believe me heart and soul for the cause.
only wish that my position and ability werA
such as to make me OF some tangible service.
I should like for this communication TO -