The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1914-10-09
HAMILTON RESIGNS.

w r.. Hamilton dlSpasSloudte stdte'
ment giving his reasons for tender-
ing his resignation as superintendent
of the Anti-Saloon League without
reaching the conclusion that he is abb
solutely right The league is a nom
partisan and non-political organiza-
ton. If it is used to boost politl-
clans into office it loses its true char
acter and must ultimately degener-
ate into political aid society. Mr..
Hamilton stood true to the non-par-
tisan character of the league, and
when it refused to be frank and hon
est with the people of Tennessee he
resigned.
The Herald has not always agreed
with Mr.. Hamilton; it is frank to con-
fess that lately it has misjudged the
man. In. view of his former profes-
sions and declarations to the enect
that the league was purely a non-par-
tisan organization, the failure to make
a declaration of neutrality in a cam
uaign where the liquor question was
not an issue, caused us to suspect
that after all Mr.. Hamilton was using
the organization for political pur-
poses. In this we are glad to say
we have been mistaken.
MIR. Hamilton's position sustains
absolutely the attitude OF The Her
aid. 1t proves the correctness of our
contention that the liquor question
is not involved in this campaign for
governor: 1t is simply being logged
In for political effect. There is abb
solutely no issue on the liquor ques-
ton between Rye and Hooper; they
stand upon the same platform; both
have declared for state and national
prohibition. 1t is not only bad faith
with the people but it is treason to
the state to seek to stir up strife and
foment discord over issues that no
longer exist. In the light of these
facts Mr. Hamilton would have been
false to the original charter of the
league and unworthy of the conf
dence reposed in him by the people
of Tennessee had he not made pub
lie protest against the effort to use
the Anti-Saloon League as politica
asset of Ben Hooper
The Herald is very much gratltet
to know that it's course has '1nferen
TALLY the approval of one of the tru
est and most devoted champions o
prohibition in all this country. Ham
ilton was fighting for prohibition; h
was bearing aloft the banner of goot
government, when it required SOM
courage to make the fight He wa
on the firing line when the liquo
enemy was strong, when it had tn
approval and support of men VIII
will now doubtless try to consigl
him to outer darkness because he be
lieved in truth and fair dealing.
We have not always agreed wit
Mr.. Hamilton. We have not at time
believed that he was the ablest chan
pion of the cause, but his sincerit
and honesty of purpose are not to b
questioned. He has made mistake!
but he has never compromised wit
the foe. He has fought a hard tigt
and he is naturally gratified to kno'
that his efforts and that of the d.
voted band that he has led have bee
80 signally successful that today a
political parties and all candidates
Tennessee stand for the destructlo
of the liquor traffic He does not b.
lieve in continuing a fight where
has been won. The cause being SAT
no matter who is elected governo
SO far as that office is concerned, M
Hamilton would concentrate the e
forts of the league to the election
a legislature that will stand for pr
hibition and law enforcement. Ar
no sincere, devoted, loyal veteran
the cause will deny that he is RICH
We rejoice with Mr.. Hamilton TIL
in SO far as the contest for goYern'
is concerned in Tennessee the liqu'
question is no longer at issue. 30
Rye and Hooper stand for the thini
for which we have fought. One
as much entitled to the support fro
the friends of prohibition as the OF
err One is just as sincere as the OF
err So far as the prohibition iss'
is involved in this contest in Tenne
see this year it simply SINNERS dov
to this: Do you desire democrat
prohibition or republican prohibition
What a pity it is that there are
censors, for the political dope tn
is appearing in the Nashville pape
these days.