The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-07-06
OPPONENTS NON
Continued from First Page.l


Continued from First Page.)
against the enabling act may now
be found among its most cordial and
outspoken friends and supporters. l
had and still have many personal
/ friends and acquaintances of this type.
men who have approached me per
sonaliy and voluntarily and with mani
fest sincerity to declare their graft
| fcation and surprise at the operation
| of the law under their own eyes.
Due to Law Enforcement.
! To this class of citizens as
well as to the prohibitionists them
selves that Is to those who have al
ways stood for this policy, is due
in no small degree the extraordinary
faithfulncss and efficiency with which
the Virginia law has been executed.
Eight months of experience under
the present law have made perfectly
plain to all frank observers that the
leaders of the Anti saloon league were
fully justified in insisting upon the
erection OF separate and well-equip-
ped department of the state to see
that the law was properly executed.
Even in Virginia We have had many
attempts at evasion and violation of
the law and it would have been q seri-
Gus, If not fatal biunder to have
loaded down some other department
of state government with the exacting
and multifarious duties which have
come 10 the prohibition COMM ssioner.
With the selection of the present
mmissoner, the Anti-Saloon league
had nothing whatever to do. Though
he had been and continues to be one
81 the most vigorous, self-denying and
capable friends OF the great reform
and though for years previous to his
appointment he had been instant in
season and out of season and had
been necessarily in closest compan-
ionship and fellowship with the rest of
us who were trying to forward this
great movement. yet II rs simple truth
to say that unappreciative as it may
have appeared to be, the officers OF
| the league carefully ahstained from
any act or word which might pro-
NOTED his candidacy. They pursued
this course not because they had any
lack of appreciation of him or any
doubt as to his ability and fitness, but
simply because they wished the iegts-
lature left absolutely untrammelled
| to make their own choice for this
! high and responsible place. In view
OF this situation which has perhaps
fneteF- been made as clear as it ought
/ to have been, there can be no possible
| improperly in expressing the Judg-
ment that the legislature made good
selection and that the difficult duties
Iof this new place have been discharg-
ed with fine practical wisdom, high
courage and Ceaseless vigilance.
Victory at Times Demoralizing.
| Victory is often more demoralizing
than defeat. In all great movements
like ours. there Is subtle peril in a
distinct and definite and remarka BILE
triumph. We are too prone to think
that not only the battle has been won,
but that the war has been won. and
so we lay down our arms and dis
band our forces and assume that the
Ienemy has been finally routed This.
( however. can never he taken for
granted when We are dealing with
an interest SO sinister. SO mena cling.
SO suhCharEed with seif-interest as
the liquor business. | venture there
fore 10 urge upon all whose Interest
lin this great matter is real and per-
lmanent that they maintain unimpa!r-
ed their organization. II may he that
in Virginia we shall have nothing
within tho present generation so spec
taculaT and SO challenging as the
great and continuous struggle which
ISSUED IN victory in September, 1914,
But OF course our true objective was
not the enactment OF a statewide law
We have set out upon a wider and
/
Itent with seeing that the law is made
effective, though that Will require
faith and patience and steadfast loyal
~. Our main work now, as always,
lis eduCative and we must continue
by every means in our power to teach
Jour people concerning the danger, the
damage, the deadlness OF Indulgence
in strong drink. The fact that the traf-
fc is now made Infamous, that the
] yh nia at Of tat rT
has been radtcattv changed. furnished
a new point OF vantage from which
ito press our educational processes, ~
| A Logical Advance.
Surely Nirglnians are interested In
other people. From statewide pro-
hibition we advance inevita bly, to ma
tttenwide prohibition tI.st-aS came
from local option to statewide We
had TO begin with the smaller political
unit, We then advanced toward the
larger, Now our vision hroadens un-
I'll IL takes in the land. The AntiSa-
loon League OF NtrginisA has cause for
rejoicing that in this great conflict,
| which is now on, it's own recognized
Header, the man who has given his
time. his labor. his great ability, his
means. with almost uneAam Piled an
selfishness and with unswervins loyal
~ to the cause in Virginia is found
lamong the foremost in guiding and
pressing the nationwide fight
Are Citizens OF the World.
| All the tremendous changes which
have come in recent months in the
I worlds situation lead sober people
Ito think cosmically. we are citizens
iof the world and brothers of human nifty
whether We will or not. This is one
! y-product of the great world war
which may prove OF immeasurable
value to mankind. II may very we'll
turn out thai these new relations and
alliances into which our great land
has been drawn in the providence OF
God may be used by Him for the ac-
complishment OF great results in this
very direction in which He permits
us to labor. Our souls stand erect when
we think of what we. each in his
own modest sphere. may contribute
to the safety and happiness OF all
mankind. For as certain as we live
the crisis through which the nations
have passed and are still passing have
brought more light and truth to bear
upon this destructive business than
ever flooded the world before.
Refers To Recent History.
I have already spoken longer than
II intended but | cannot close without