The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-01-18
WITH THE STATE PRESS.
A Con, loser.


Probably the movement for pro-
hfbition In Virginia had no more earn
est or effective opponent in the State
than Colonel Alfred B. Williams, the
present editor of the Richmond Even
ing Journal. As The then editor of
The Roanoke Times, he used his
trenchant pen with all the vigor and
skill and talent for which he is noted
in an effort to persuade. the people
that prohibition was not for their best
interests and should be defeated. But
when the battle went against him and
the people Of Virginia decreed by
an Overwhelming majority that the
liquor traffic must go, he acauiesced
IN the result readily II not cheerful
~, and came out In favor Of prohi-
bition Legislation that should be as
stringent and far-reaching as possi-
BILE, to the end that prohibition might
have fair test and be made a sue
cess II possible. In recent issue of
the Journal. Colonel Williams hits
straight from the shoulder at what he
terms "a movement organized to pre-
vent the enactment of prohibition
laws" as follows:
This newspaper has no sympathy
with movement which we observe
has been organized to prevent the
enactment of prohibition laws. The
people have voted for prohibition.
They did 1t after full discussion. We
think they made a mistake; but they
decided and chose their own way.
The responsibility for results is on
them. Under the Constitution of this
country and State and by ali the spirit
of our laws, the majority has the
right to have its will executed and
its decision obeyed loyalty. The peo-
IL haty nrf nj lSNyA NsEtxf v,r1 In -.
ity. that they wish the experiment to
be tried. 1t is the business and duty
of all Of us to see that the expert
ment is tried and In good faith. That
lis the position of Governor Stuart and
of the great majority Of the thinking
nti-prUhibitionists: and 1t Is the
right position Any undertaking now
to prevent the experiment or to de-
feat or hinder the expressed purpose
OF the people should be opposed by
Virginians of all shades of opinion
Whoever Ia behind the reported anti
prohibition demonstration is making
mischief and stirring strife unneces-
sarily and wasting somebody's
money"
Spoken like a true Virginian. But
those who know Colonel Williams
know that he could not take any
other position. Respect for the Law
and determination to obey ii and
to do what he can to have others
obey 1t also are characteristics OF
the man The expression of his CON
eictinn that the will of the people
should prevail, even though the PEG
pie hs---iii his view wrong, reveals
the true spirit of democracy ana
meets our hearty approval. 1t is. per
| haps unfortunate that the Journa
does not go more into details as g
the movement which it believes has
been organized TO thwart the peoples
wishes as To prohibition. 50 that w
would kaew-y@it4s -tt.-ht.lel- account
IA BILE In the event that by any remote
possibility the movement succeeded
| This possibility however. is SO re-
mote that II may be dismissed with
out further consideration. Prohibi-
ton viii be written into our statutes
and what the Journal is pleased &c
/ term IAN experiment" will become
the law of the land next fall 1t Is
pleasine to note Colonel Williams
stand for real and effective prohibit
tion despite his we'll known antipaths
To the movement that culnlinate sc
successfully in September. 1914. Not
/ only does it 40 him credit, but 1t is
evidence of that fine American trait.
ability To lose With good grace Roa
neke Times