The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-06-14
THE FRUIT OF THE TREE
BIsHoP JAMES CANNON. JR, Christian Advocate)

II is reproach, indeed it is little
short of a disgrace to the Common
wealth OF Virginia, that in Rich
mond, the capital city. a morning
newspaper of the age and general
standing of the Times Dispatch
should continue to belttle prohibit
ton. and to insult both by in
nuendo and direct attack, the prohi-
bition workers OF the state and the
nation.
The people of Virginia by a great
majority declared for statewide pro-
hihition. nearly four years ago and
the prohibition law has been In effect
for eighteen months. All of the great
church bodies of the state have eX-
pressed their approval and satisfac-
tion with prohibition as a govern
mental policy. individuals, business
men and corporations in every sec
/ tton of the state have testified to the
| benefits of the law. In the city OF
| Richmond Itself the leaders in pub
| Tic, business. social and religious life
: openly assert the splendid effects OF
/ the closing of the saloons. Both SEN
ators and representatives of Virginia
/ In congress are on record as favor
able to nationwide prohibition, Every
/ church assembly in the United States
/ every war work commission In the
country, the Young Peoples Society
Of Christian EndeaVor, the 1oune
Mems Christian association and the
( Young Woman's Christian association
have petttioned the president and the
congress Of the United States for the
/ prohibition of the manufacture and
f. sale OF all kinds of intoxicants during
the time of the war and of demoblUza-
ton thereafter. There have recently
/ v,,n n n
dent signed by such men as John r
I Mott, Robert f. Speer.
The petitions of these great bust
ness. moral and religious organiza-
lions and of these great leaders OF
national life cannot be brushed aside
as the clamorous agitation OF men o.
one idea. but they are the earnest
petitions Of men of the country who
are giving their time and thought K
strengthening and developing the In
te1ligent. patriotic activity of the ma
ton in the war against unrighteous
ness.
TO what bodies do the presiden'
and the congress of the United State
turn for approval and support? Tt
, the National Liquor Dealers associa
ton? To the German American AL
/ lance Brewing corporation? Or the
/ great religious, reform and ednca
tionat associations Of the country
/ The German alliance and the Liquor
/ Dealers associations denounce I'M
prohibition legislation adopted o.
{ congress. and fight every effort 10 pro
/ tact our soldiers and sailors from IN
/ temperance and vice, and are WILING
I to debauch every one of them tt
crafty their greed and ccvertoushess
regardless of the effect upon the re-
/ suit Of the war.
/ The great business, educaoonai
moral and religious forces OF tht
country are fully committed to the
( battle for righteousness, and know
/ lng. as they do. what a great enemy
/ fntem perance and vice are TO mill
! tary efficiency, indeed TO all forms
| Of efficiency. they have aireaos
secured the passage of legislation &c
! protect the army and navy from the
dram seller and the prostitute. But
| owing to the fact that In certain sec
, lions of the country the manufacture
and sale of intoxtcants are still per
nitted, IL is difficult to prevent many
fragrant violations of the law of con-
gross.
Up to this good hour the Times
Disuatch, of Richmond. Virginia, has
not commended one single piece OF
legislation which has been passed ns
the state OF Virginia, or by the con
gress of the United States to protec'
the citizens of Virginia. or the sol.
diers and the sailors of the uniteo
States army and navy from the de-
bauching effect OF strong drink. on
the contrary every effort made bs
the people OF Virginia, or by the ma
ttonal prohibition workers has re-
ceived nothing hut ridicule and sneers
and opposition from that paper. which
claims to be a representative news
paper of our great commonwealth
1t has for years abused and vtliffed
the prohibition workers, and as Ions
as II is permitted to do so without
vigorous protest from It's subscribers
II will doubtless continue to do so
for the editorial management is evil
IDENTIFY intensely opposed to prohibit
ton and favorable to the liquor traf-
fic.
During the past weeE II has made
three separate sneering and viciously
incorrect statements concerning the
prohibttiouists and tho prohibition
situation. X has displayed either