The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-01-20
REV. DR.. R. H. PITT TELLS
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ready market. Most families kept 1t
IN their case. and all, from the hoary-
headed father to the little child. par
took daily OF the morning 'draf1' and
the noontide 'grog' or today
THE temperance pioneers of that
day found little encouragement fox
their labors, even the gospel min
listers frowned upon them. too fire.
,,uently. we fear. because their pro-
pnsed reform interfered with the per-
sonal habits OF these gentlemen
4tAtfcrc followed q long stretch Oh years.
in which these efforts at temperance
reform. sporadic. i1pulsive. without
combination. continued doing good,
tioubtiess,-sow!ng- the seed here ana
there from which we at length are
beginning TO reap a blessed harvest
For it must never be forgotten that
long years ago. in spite of the preva-
lent sentiment in the State permit
ting the sale and use of intexieants,
there might be found here and there
a community in which, on account OF
enlightened public sentiment, the puo-
lie drinking place was not tolerated
Fifty years ago this very week the
Sons of Temperance were holding their
annual convention in this city. the
local papers gave brief mention of the
fact. but added a comment to the
effect that the Temperance senti-
ment In growing rapidly in virginia.
'rhe Sons of Temperance spread over
large sections of the State. but AFTER
a while disappeared. At the present
time. so far as I know, they have no
organization in Virginia
Work For Good Templars.
Well within my own recollection the
yC~ large nor
tons of Virginia, particularly OF ru-
raj Virginia. Many who are here TO-
day were doubtless connected at one
time or another with some GOOD
Templar lodge. They had their pledge.
their ritual their attractive regana.
their temperance songs, their district
and State conventions, and beyond al
doubt had a great part In creating the
sentiment in favor OF temperance
which finally issued in efforts to Sc
cure the beginning of local opuon
legislation. Many here VIII also re-
member tfais-ehase- of-onr- reform.
They will recall the extreme modesty
which marked our first appeal 10 the
law-making body Of the State, wnen
We came huinbly petttioning tna'
communities might be given the right
under the law, to determine at the
ballot box whether they wished the
sale OF strong drink to be licensed
among them or not. Practically the
entire State was afflicted with public
drinking places. The country sections
suffered most. since police protection
was not afforded and could not be,
and the yrnggeries ard doggeries THAT
nourished and infested the cross roads
| the court houses and other central
places in the country side were prac-
! ticaIly without number. The whole
| community. OF course. suffered In
countless ways from the destructive
! and ruinous influence of these estab-
I 1iahments. In the cities the old-fasif-
Toned bar or drinking place by pro-
cess of steady and devilish evolution
grew into the modern saloon, with
it's flashing mirrors, it's indecent pic.
lures, it's free luncheons, subtly ar
ranged to create and stimulate thirst
1 its unwholesome and exciting sccia
atmosphere. In the meantime the
liquor business came into politics. the
saloon or, in the country, the grog'
! gerry became the political center: IL
our cities astute seekers after office
were careful TO cultivate the favor
of the saioonkeepers and the politica
fate Of many a man ambitious to serve
in public life was determined by tho
saloon. and often In the saloon. Ont
does not have to be classed among
the ancients to be able to recall tina
here In this historic and long be
4 leagued city, the pride Of loyal yir'
i ginians. 1t was common only q lev
years ag0 to find political clubs viii
4 quarteru just shove this sa1oonA a1t
"a NEna enseenaSys a q 49, ~