The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-09-24
Dry Virginia.

+ The Prohibitonists have substantial victory
in Virginia, and by the vote of Tuesday the State
will enter the dry column in 1916 The people did
it, and it is their affair There were two places in
the State where the vote largely against prohibit
tion-Richmond and Alexandria-but they will have
to submit to the verdict of the State. There will
be no od-tme convivality in the capital, nor
in the place which has more historic memories OF
Washington than any other in the land. 1t may even
become necessary to expurgate the dscourses OF the
guides at Mount Vernon and no longer permit visit
ors to see the old wine cellar with the list of famous
vnages that once rested there the bottles properly
draped with cobwebs to insure the guests of age
Nor may the guide point out the site of the old still
nor the mint bed nigh it. from which came the rarest
enjoyment OF those who, from the North first tasted
rare Virginia hospitality Virginia cannot afford to
apologize for her favorite by admitting that he
was among those who associated with the sinful
mint julep which is so roundly denounced by the
Prohibtonists 1t will be difficult to continue
to worship Jefferson and Madison without apologies
Tor their early connection with breweries, because
the new law of Virginia will make exception OF
breweries and they may continue to make beer for
other people than Nrginians.
The new law of Virginia will permit the Importa-
ton of any favorite tppe for personal use and the
residents OF Alexandra may come to Washington
for their beer, while they export their own brew.
1t may be embarrassing market a product with
the advertisement that it is good enough for home
consumption but is the ideal brew for all people
living north OF the Potomac but that is in harmony
with the prohibition theory. The growers OF the
famous ScuppernOng grape, in North Carolina, were
prevented from gathering them into the wine press
by the prohibition law OF that State, so they sent
the grapes over into Virginia that the avorlte wine
of North Carolina should entirely disappear from
the market. Now Virginia may continue to make
Scuppernong wine and export it into wet States, but
North Carolina, where the grapes are grown,
nor may the Nirginian enjoy its flavor.
The Shenandoah Valley will continue to exploit
its apples and its cider to the of the world, but
woe betide the Nirgnian who undertakes either
openly or secretly to carry away Jug of hard cider
from the cellar of the man who makes it, or even
quench his thirst with a neighborly glass OF this
famous Shenandoah beverage, without inviting
raid OF the law that to will be more terrible
that that of Gen. Sheridan, for the law prohibits
giving as we'll as selling in Virginia.
The old Mother OF Presidents will be dry from
the Potomac south, with relief from North Caro-
lima or Tennessee and from the Atlantic to the
west with no escape into West Virginia. At last
the conviyial Vrgnan will have to cross the Poto-
mac and look to that part OF the country with which
he went to war because it was the habitat of mere
Yankee traders who had family heritages.
Who will now dare to sing the old glores OF Viz,
snia and who with proper respect for the traditions
Of the State will continue grow apples and grapes
and hop and mint merely for export, become pur-
yeyors OF Virginia enjoyment to other people, and
place the stamp OF trade what have, from time
immemorial been the lares and penates OF the Old
Dominion?
But Virginia is to be dry. and we hope that the
sentnels may continue to give the assurance All
quiet along the Potomac. and prevent wet invasons
from Maryland across the border. When the people
soberly make law by the rule OF referendum, they
should sobery keep it especially when it is law
in the interest of sobriety.