The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1913-12-18
THE RICHARDS
AND IVANHOES
FORMER GOV. PATTERSON
So Terms Contest for a Saioonless
Nation at the National League
Gathering at Colembas.

Former Governor M. r. Patterson
talked prohibition to johnson City
audience Sunday night This was his
first appearance here since his change
of heart and to say that he had royal
reception gives but faint idea of the
truth. He came to the city from Bris-
tol at 4.15 and was met at the Southern
station by hundreds of citizens, includ-
ing many old and new friends. As
soon as he could get through the crowd
he was driven to the Colonial Hotel by
Jas. A. Summers in private car He
went directly to his room for rest and
was not disturbed until seven o'clock,
when he was driven to the Central
Baptist church, where the speaking
was to occur. This large and hand
some church could not begin to hold
the people who sought to hear By
six O'Clock the church was filled and
soon it was impossible to find standing
room. 1t is estimated that many more
people were turned away than were
admitted.
1t was indeed an inspiring sight that
greeted the former Governor when he
entered at seven o'clock, Every nook
and corner occupied by fully 1880 of
the cultured and refined representatives
of the best citizenship of a God-favored
section, All the churches in the city
had given way for the occasion and all
denominations were represented in the
vast throng. A special choir made up
from the various churches furnished
excellent music for the occasion.
At seven o'clock the speaker entered
from the pastors study, accompanied
by Revs. J. A. Ruble, w. M. Morrell,
j. A. Mitchell, d. A. Dobbs, Gilbert
Glass, l.. b. Stivers, and w. r. Ham,
ilton, Col. E. q. Reeves, Mayor s. E.
Miller, Hon. A. A. Taylor, J. E. Brad
ing and Cy H. Lyle. Rev. L. B. Stivers
presided, A scripture lesson was read
by Rev. Gilbert Glass and Rev. w. M.
Morrell invoked the divine bessing.
w. r. Hamilton was presented and
told of the practical side of the work in
Tennessee and was given liberal finan-
cial assistance. Mayor Miller then in
q few we'll chosen words introduced
Col. e. G. Reeves, the nestor Of prohi-
bition in this section, who in turn in
troduced the speaker of the evening.
The Colonel was particularly happy
and intensely in earnest and every
word he uttered was full of meaning as
well as soul and were not only appro-
pirate but well received. They appear
in full elsewhere in this issue.
When Gov. Patterson arose to speak
he was given a round of applause and
at frequent intervals throughout his
speech he was interrupted with hearty
applause and reverend amens. The
Governor spohe in part as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen-I am aware
that to have suddenly changed the
views of mature manhood, which /
once asserted and proclaimed from one
end Of Tennessee to the other, has ex-
cited surprise and provoked comment.
But this is world of change. Stagna-
tion is decay and progress is the com.
mand of the age and the hope Of NOR
tality. / am neither ashamed nor
abashed to stand before this great audi
ence and acknowledge the wrong when
once advocated policies which would
have made legal trade which i have
come to look upon as having no right
full place in the scheme and economy
of christian civilization.
Youth In Memphis.
I grew up in the city of Memphis