The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-18

port. The statement he has made
means little or nothing coming from
a wet man.
ITO sum up the reasons for not
supporting Col. Lowden we find them
in two statements. First, because he
| has not stated his position on these
measures, and second, which Is the
| most important of all, because the
| liquor people OF the State are the
most ardent supporters of his candi-
dacy.
I'VE believe the liquor people will
concentrate their vote on Mr.. Low
| den. Scarcely mall comes but
brings us letters stating that the
liquor papers and the liquor crowd in
the different communities are back OF
Lowden and working ardently for
him. A chief danger lies in the d.
vision of the vote of the anti-saloon
people To fail to elect a candidate
who may hold within his hands the
destiny of local option legislation
would be to fail to protect this cause
against defeat. We do not believe
the league would be true to its trust
If 1t should remain silent, and we
make this recommendation 30 that
the anti-saloon people throughout the
State may have opportunity to con-
centrate their vote upon a candidate
who we know stands for anti-sa-
loon legislation. The Anti-Saloon
League has made this endorsement
only after carefully considering the
candidates in the field having the
best chance to vim and has chosen
Mr.. Hull because OF his standing and
attitude towards these propositions.
Approaching Crisis.
illinois is approaching another
crisis in its history On September
10 loot will meet righteousness.
Whether or not the forces of right
eousness are awake and alert with
full realization OF the tremendous is
sues which will be settled before sun
down on that day will depend very
largely upon the ministry OF the State
OF Illinois. very much more so than
on any other single factor in the
State. MANY OF the ministers realize
this responsibility and before primary
day comes will be ready to speak in
an authoritative way on the issues in
vOlved. The power OF the ministers
and the churches in the fight for
righteousness which eliminates at
the polls has been demonstrated over
and over again. A recent demonstra-
ton of the achievement Of the
churches at Cairo and southern Illi-
nois is mentioned in another column.
wrong, Of organized pillage against
orderly government, Is involved on
the broader field OF the entire State
on September 10. Consider the vast
potential power in the seven thous-
and churches of Illinois. These
churches can reach and influence In
their own embership and the clti-
are ready to give this much effort TO
ministers to carry the message OF
the leagues endorsements as their
recommendation to the members of
their church. either by personal let
ter or by personal contact How
many of the ministers of the State
the scope of their influence al least
200 men for each church, or an ag-
greRate of 100000 in the Repub-
lican and Democratic parties
Let no man deceive himself, The
question is between tho spoils OF Of
fee on the one hand and orderly
government on the other. Behind
one OF the candidates for governor
there Is practically the solid backing
OF the liquor interests and all OF the
other vicious interests which radlate
from the saloon as it's center, the
spoils politicians are there.
Appeal to Ministers.
Can ii truthfully be said that
there are ministers and church men
who have allowed them selves to he
deceived and are travelling under the
same banner with the saloon? Can
il truthfully ne said that the min
listers and churches are informed OF
the situation and are practically n
unit in behalf Of the candidates whose
character, Affiliations and record
speak for them as being loyal to the
principles Of sound and orderly gov
ernmeut2
zone minister has suggested that
something should be done 10 get the
Gems of the parish who come under
this great cause this tme?"