The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-04-11
3. G. MOOMAW

Sir,--Your correspondent. Otto Meyer, we'll
as some others in the last few weeks, have re-
ferred 10 the farmers and rural voters Of Nir
GINA in terms not particularly distinguished for
courtesy. For example, Mr. Meyer says, Here
point where the rural voters. with whlskey
Jugs in their closets who vote to protect the
born generation, hurt their own pockets etc.
wonder what effect Mr.. Meyer expects this kind
Of innuendo 10 have upon the people of this
State who have rrevocably determined to de-
stroy the liquor traffic?
Suppose these rural voters should have the
privilege of presenting their own case? They
would probably content themselves with fat
expression of that determination. And they are
going about It with that degree Of resolution,
patience and perseverance which takes no
count Of time, obstacles expense There
must be some profound for this stern and
unfaltering attitude, which critics. of
the Meyer class do not in the least understand.
But we know precisely what il when it Is
exhibited hy the kind of people have in the
rural districts Of Virginia. 1t means the in
evitable destruction of the liquor traffic There
cannot be the slightest doubt about that
Naturally and logically the first point Of at
tack Is the leealized traffic. After that the de-
etruction OF the Illegal traffic Let those gentle
men who are so concerned about the ravages OF
the Illegal traffic console themselves a little
Means will he found 10 deal with II according to
the exigencies of the situation.
Bat why are the farmers as a body more
earnestly engaged in this work than any other
/ class of citizens? Mr.. Meyers statement that
car loads and train loads are shipped from wet
cities into prohibition territory presents most
excellent reason why Mr.. Farmer is after thc
liquor business as It Is carried on the cities
He has voted the saloon out of his county. or his
nearest town. only 10 find his wishes, as ex-
pressed IN the local option election. ignored and
dcSpised ny the traffic in the nearest Wet city
The measures he had taken 10 make his family
4 and his property reasonably safe arc nullihed by
the active agents Of the city whlskey houses, who
drum for package trade among the least respon-
/ sihle elements OF the population, He lives with
his family perhaps a number of miles from town.
/ where he has police protection. The negroes
and toughs of his community, usually quiet and
harmless when sober, highly dangerous
when inSamed by whskey especially the kind
Of stuff sold them by the city dealers, for that
matter by any neighboring saloon.
There Is not farmer living under such cir
cumstanCes hut who is inwardly and anxiously
CONSCIOUS of the peril which his family is ex-
posed by these conditions, Perhaps he viii not
admit II discuss it, hut the anxiety is present
with him all the same and all the time. and he
is taking the most obvious measure in self-de
Tense namely, the total destruction of the liquor
/ trade. He will first what the enabling act
will do for him and if that is rot sufficient
other measures will follow. Try to comprehend
his situation. viii you, who proposing all
sorts Of paiatves and COMPROMISES. Enter If
you can, into the feelings of the man who knows
all the time that on account of this whiskey
devil he his family may at any sudden mo-
ment be In the most deadly peril. Think of
such a situation in a civilized country, If there
were no other reasons, and there are yet others
this is quite sufficient for the approaching
doom Of the liquor business.
Meanwhile more and more earnest citizens
both of town and country. are realizing that the
liquor traffic is intolerable In civilized country,
that it is the enemy OF the nome. of business Of
prosperity, Of the State. of morality and religion
and that under the highest obligations to
destroy It If ii takes hundred years to do So
p. c. MOOMAW