The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-18
PEOPLES FORUM
A Clarion Call.

Headquarters Anti-Saloon League of Virginia
Bulletin No, /.
Dear Fellow Workers.
The governor has issued his proclamation
calling an election on the question of Statewide
prohibition on Tuesday, September %, 1914
The opportunity to vote this question for
which many of the citizens of the Common
wealth have prayed and labored for many years
has at last been secured. The friends Of the
liquor Ntraf8c fought bitterly through three ses-
SONS OF the general assembly TO prevent the
citizens OF Virginia from voting on Statewide
prohibition. They unwilling for the voters
II decide the question OF SALOON or mo
SALOON" in Virginia.
But every obstacle has now been overcome.
technicaltties have been brushed aside and the
election must be held. Yet even NOW the friends
OF the liquor traffic unwilling to face the
real issue-the SALOON They lodging
hither and thither, they are throwing dust In
the air, they doing everything possible to
obscure the real issue-~the SALOON. These
advocates repudiate all connection with the
liquor traffic They cry Local Self Government
Is in danger they threaten notification of tho
law Prohibition will tshallD not prohibit:
they magnify liquor revenue and ignore the I'M
ealculable cost; they discuss every question but
the real question--Shall the State Of Virginia
prohibit the sale Of intoxicating liquor for bev-
GRACE purposes the SALoON7
our people must not allow themselves to ne
diverted by any Of these false battle cries, no
matter who may lead the shouting. Messrs
Christian, MCGUIRE Caben Taylor and hum
bred vice presidents may be in the forefront Of
the battle. but close behind them in serr1ed
ranks the brewers. distiers. wine mer-
chants. saloonkeepers and bartenders who
servtlely accept the contempt OF these society
leaders and gratefully acknowledge the ''in-
estirnahle aid Of their protesting Partners
Size OF Majority the Only Question
Advices from our workers all over the State
Indicate that owing to the excessive heat, pres
sure Of farm work and the limited time. the
signatures of thousands OF dry voters were not
secured upon the petitions The results obtained
far aIrpass the most sanguine expectations Of
the Anti Saloon leag,le.
A careful estimate warrants the statement
that 81 ma jority OF the voters of Virginia will
favor Statewide prohibition on September %
The only question to be decided is the size OF
the majority 1t Is OF vital importance that
those who favor Statewide prohibition shall be
both tactflIl and treless In their efforts from
now until tho victory is won, to insure an over
whelming ma tority, so that no one can raise
any question to the will OF the people Of the
Comm nzvealth, aud that the legislature OF
1916 shall realize the necessity of enacting such
legislation viii give effect TO the peoples
will expressed at the polls We must work
not only to secure majority IN every con-
gressonal district bnt also in every senatorial
district Of the State This will require wise
nd persistent activity especially the dis
trcts containing the cities Of Alexandra, Peters
burg. Newport News Norfolk Portsmouth and
Richmond. But from present indications, proper
effort in these districts will give most gratifying
results.
One Thing.
Let concentrate our efforts thing:
the SALOON, the BEVERAGE liquor traffic
Let avoid personalities, any discussion
which win tend 10 becIoud in any way the para
mount Issue before the people, trusting in the
God of heaven who ruleth over the Kingdoms
Of the earth: let us press the battle in His name
until this, rho greatest enemy of the church OF
God has been driven from behind its entrench-
ment In the law Of Virginia. and has been
bra nded as a criminal. public nuisance
and as menace to the prosperity. happiness
and lives Of the people OF beloved Common
wealth
JAMES CANNON. JTl.
General Superintendert Anti-Saloon League OF
\irainia