The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-08
PEOPLES FORUM
IAouor on Fair Grounds.
stituents.

It was a great source of regret l am sure.
to thousands of good and true Virginians to
learn that the Hon. Judge Scott had granted
license for the sale of liquor on the fair grounds
as we'll as being much surprised that the Ialr
managers should have asked the privilege after
such disagreeable scenes being enacted on the
grounds last fall, which were brought to light
by the Rev. Mr., j. Nj. Rowland who richly de-
serves the thanks of the good people OF VT
gtnia for his courageous work. 1t is unaccount-
able and passing strange that people IN au-
thority will not stand by us in trying to mitigate
the evils and temptations that beset the paths OF
the young and unsophisticated, instead Of put
ting these damnable temptations in their path,
for the profit there Is in II. when the protection
of character and souls should be our highest
and greatest aim in life.
We can congratulate ourselves heartily on the
character of the men who are In authority In
Washington. OH! what a great influence for
temperance and Christianity Is welded by the
peerless Bryan and President Wilson, Vice
President Marshall. Josephus Daniels and others.
We can be justly proud OF having such men In
authority. Their influence for good Is meal
culable. When we have Christian and temper
ance men in authority. who stand for the puri-
ncation and elevation of the human race. we
NAV Confidently look for the stamping out OF
all things that tend to degrade and destroy
nan. Just think OF Bryan's grape juice dinner.
AS Mr.. Parham well says. we should withhold
our patronage in cvery way. as long as the man
ayers persist in throwing a red flag, so to speak.
in our faces, and turning a deaf ear to our plead
ings, for the protection Of our young men par
Iticularly.
am indeed sorry we feel the necessity of
taking any action that might tend to dampen
the ardor of any true virginian toward the fair
which we should all justly feel proud of, and
do all we could to promote its welfare. II we
must have revenue from the damnable liquor
traffic to run our fair. I say let us abandon
having any both now and forever,
Robert G., Ingersoll. though an in1del. said
some fine things. among which is his terrific
arraignment of the liquor traffic as follows: II
believe that alcohol. to a certain degree,
those who make It, those who sell
it, and those who drink 1t. l believe from
the time 1t issues from the coiled and poisonous
worm of the d~istillery until it empties into the
hell of crime, death and dishonor. IL demoralizes
Everybody that touches 1t. ] do not believe any
body can contemplate the subject without be-
coming prejudiced against this liquor crime. All
you have to do is to think of the wrecks on
either bank OF this stream of death, of the
suicides, of the insanity, Of the poverty, of the
Juggling at the faded dresses OF weeping and
deapairing wives asking for bread; of the men
or genius 1t has wrecked; OF the millions who
have struggled with imaginary serpents produced
the jails. of the nlmshouses, Of the prisons, and
Of the ecanolds upon either bank, / do not
wonder that every thoughtful man is prejudiced
against the damned stuff called alcohol"
What a fearful Indictment! How can any true
Virginian or true man encourage the sale Of an
article which is damning its thousands? 1t Is
beyond my conception or comprehension.
Just think OF what Colonel Roosevelt has
done. Spent thousands In tho expense of a law
suit to clear his good name OF the accusation OF
being a habitual drinker. I honor him greatly
for it. 1t was a great lesson for good, / am
persuaded.
1t seems to me that If there is any place in
our State unsuited for the sale OF liquor it 10
the State fair grounds, where our young men
and should have every safeguard thrown around
them possible.
/ have three boys and l feel it unsafe to send
them there when liquor Is dispensed freely in
cerely hope the managers will yet decide to
abandon its sale, which you'd gladden. many