The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-12
REMARKABLE SPEECH.
Made by Governor Patterson OF Ten
nessee at Anti-SalO0n League.

Columbus, Nov. 12-Former Governor
Malcom r. Patterson OF Tennessee said
in part:
1.-THE Anti-Saloon League and I have
not always been friends. the paths we
travelled were wide apart The path
Travelled turned in its course. 1t ran
to the other and we now find ourselves
in the same road marching in the same
direction. under the same flag. actuated
by the same desire to destroy the traf-
ffc in liquor and redeem nation from
its curse. -
IT am aware that to have suddenly
changed the views Of mature manhood
which I once asserted and proclaimed
from one end OF Tennessee to the other
has excited surprise and provoked
abashed to stand before this great au-
dience and acknowledge the wrong
when I once advocated policies which
would have made legal q trade. which
have come to look upon as having
no rightful place in the scheme and
economy Of Christian civilization"
Commenting on one Of his MESA ges
to the Tennessee legislature in which
he opposed further legislation to regu-
late the liquor traffic Mr.. Patterson
declared that at that time those were
his honest -conHiofzons based upon mis-
guided Judgment and said:
If this message had to stand as my
last expression on the liquor question.
would consume it in the living fires
and erase it forever from the minds
and memories of men.
IT have seen the trail of liquor in the
criminal courts where have prosecut-
ed crime. I know many have been
participant in its paralyzing and
corroding influences in the social and
public life of our national capital. As
the governor of Tennessee. have seen
it veritable and raging center Of
S4H> H.
fender and assailants and from which
sprang divisions in parties. disputes in
families and dissAnsions in cl1urcheS
Going through life I have seen it
drag down many of the associates Of
my boyhood, blasting their hopes and
I have seen its forked lightning strike
my first born-the child of my young
manhood, and have borne with him
the suffering and tried to help him in
his brave but sometimes melancholy
struggle for redemption. At last have
turned upon me in its deadly and
shaming wrath-upon me. who had
pleaded before the people for its very
existence. Men have called me strong
and while I could see no harm in 9TH
ers, and thought myself immune and
suffered for the thought.
"AM this I knew and felt without a
revelation of the deep pathos and
meaning of it all. I needed help. for
was cropping and my feet were
stumbling In the dark.
when logic failed and reason gave
no answer, cast aside all pride of
opinion. all thought Of what the word
! might say or think, and went to the
! throne Of Almighty God. There on
Blended knees. asked for light and
j strength and they came. The curtain
Of night parted and the way was clear.
I arose a changed man.
THE saloon cannot produce one We
racious witness in its favor. It stands
indicted before the bar Of public
opinion.
1T stands. a convicted felon and must
receive the sentence of the law. II
| must go, never to return. and with the
going Of the saloon, liquor itself should
go.
'I favor prohibition in any form that
win either reduce or destroy the liquor
traffic. favor 1t personal wide, town
wide. state wide, nation wide and world
| wfde's