The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-10-10
COMMISSIONER PETERS
MAKES STRONG ADDRESS
Says Bootlegging Exists Under License
But VIII BE More Ado Over 1t
Under Dry Regime.
GIVEN RISING VOTE OF THANKS
Ministerial Union Refers to Committee
With Power to Act-Southern So
Geological Congress Offer to Come
Here Next Spring. .

DerS OF the ministerial Union Oh INiCi-
mond at their monthly meeting yes
terday, urging the hearty cooperation
and support of all churches in the
rigid enforcement of the prohibition
laws that become operative on No
vember LIST.
Commissioner Peters came before
the Union by a special invitation ex-
eended him by the executive commit
tee, with the request that he make
An address on the subject of Law
Enforcement" In anticipation OF this
special feature of the monthly pro-
gram. he was greeted by an unusually
large audience. a majority of the min
listers Of the city and number of
prominent laymen being present to
hear him.
Mr.. Peters said in the outset that
he had . lively appreciation and
coveted the privilege of responding to
the invitation OF the Ministerial Union
10 speak before them at this oppor-
hume time, because he recognized that
this body 10 perhaps the most in
nuential ecclesiastical body in the
South. and he regretted that his time
had been so fully and continuously oc-
cupied that no opportunity offered to
pet his thoughts in such order as he
would desire and the occasion re-
huired.
History of AIconors Cse.
Alcohol as a beverage ministered to
the depraved craving Of the human
mind for stimulation and tho nervous
system for qualification. and its use is
; rs old as the human family itself, he
said, and although some of the
Oriental nations under the influence
Of Buddha Confucius and Mohammed
had dem onstrated by long centuries OF
abstinence that Il is not human
necessity-even these people at times.
and certainly all other people, includ-
ing the Teutonic race. all the people
Of Europe and most of the savage
tribes throughout the world had all
used alcohol and at times to great ex-
cess, so that when we undertake the
task to overthrow alcohol as bever-
age we are confronted at the start
with a habit hoary with age, and al
most universal in practice.
The use of alcohol has greatly in
creased in modern times, notoriously
In the United States. In 1870 the
consumption per capita OF ardent
spirits throughout the United States
Was barely three gallons. hat after
this tand after the year 1862. when
the Federal government entered into
partnership with the trafic), tndulg-
ence in alcoholic liquors became
alarningly prevalent, and in nifty
years lin 1870, the per capita con-
r. sumption in the United States increas-
ID TO nearly 20 gallons, Abraham
Iancoln protested vigorously. and to
The last that this partnership was an
sniquty perpetrated upon the people.
even though a war measure, and yield
I'd 70 hts advisers with great reluct-
snce They formed this CO. partner
ship. however. with the internal rev
euue system, by which a tax was
collected on ardent spirits in the
United States. The action OF the
= + 5lfvral government was quickly fol-
lowed by the state governments and
,ity and county governments, each and
all entered into partnership with the
traffic and profited by the exploita-
ton OF this aggressive trade in the
United States
In Midst of Revolution.
We are In the midst of a revolu-
lion. a great revolution. the greatest
revolutionary movement in the his
tory of this country at large: and Nir-
ginia has emancipated its citizens
from exploitation by those who
profited by the traffic in alcoholic
, liquors. Virginia is further advanced
than many States in the midst of this
revolution. and on November lst. we
begin the upbuilding of new social
order In this Commonwealth.
We are now beginning the fulfil
ment of a task compromising an in
herent right to conserve the peace.
safety, health and morals OF the peo-
pie, and we are not unmindful or
.he obstacles which must be overcome.
I'VE are confronted with the offal
from the saloons in desenerates, aico-
holic habitues, criminals and shift
less collusive public officials. These
society. however, are very numerous.
but they are easily controlled. Because
Of their ignorance they will be easily
detected in their crimes. because of
their friendlessness they are easily
punished for evasion of the law.
A More Dangerous Glass.
but we are confronted by another
class OF criminals far more formidable
than the class just mentioned. This
= the class OF men who regard them
Dolves as superior to the law, self-con-
tanned. self-sufficient. self-satisfied
and self-indulgent men, who are gov
erned In their opinions by their appe-
lite. Men who regard everything and
settle every question from a personal
viewpoint by what they want and not
from q broad viewpoint. not In So
cial aspect, with much regard Tor per-
sonal appetite and no regard for So
rial welfare.
I'VE are likewise confronted by
some men (happily not by AID. who
have been put out of business by this
reform. who anxiously await time
when the policy of the State will be
reversed. when they hope to resume
their business. These men will leave
no stone unturned to hasten the day
when they may resume their business.
We are confronted, however. by even
a more formidable opposition tan
this In the outside national organi-
zation of liquor dealers. including
distillers and brewers. These men.
through perpetual propaganda, will
spare no expense and resort to every
expedient to discredit your law that
they may renew their exploitation of
Virginia for profit.
"Wct" Newspapers Abroad In Land.
Again. the wet newspaper are
! abroad in the land. although in
diminishing numbers. Some OF them.
I am gratifed to say have yielded
gracefully to popular sentiment and
assure us Of their sincere desire and
purpose to uphold the law; but. Arns.
there are others smarting under the
loss Of from 10 to 20 per cent Of
their gross advertising revenue from