The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-24
BROOKS LAWRENCE,
 THE VICTORIOUS
By w. E. CRUMPToN,
President Alabama auti-sa,oon Lear


 helped to bring him to Alabama and am proud of it. When we were dis cussing him, one who new him S; i'd: He is fighter from away back The reply was: ''To win the fight in Als. bama we need fighter His public in- troduction was at the capitol in Montgom- cry before the house committee on tenn perance. The liquor lobbyist was there, backed by an able attorney. The writer, Tn a lew words, told how in a dsorgan- ized sort of way we had worked and won some territory, and how we had been handicapped by not Having the means to keep man on the job When our individual means gave out we had to leave the capitol while the liquor forces always maintained with ample means one who could carry out their schemes unopposed But now we were going to meet organization with organi- zation. There was uttered the saying which has gone ringing down the line for years: We are camping on the trail of the liquor traffic and our campfires Will never go out" Brooks Lawrence made his first speech there and the bat tie was joined until this proud day.
 The Ohio carpet bager," as the oppo- stion papers delighted to call him. kept on the even tenor of his way, studying rum, finding his way through the by paths of the country and into the hearts of the men and women who loved God and delighted in peace. By speech and by pen, through the mails and in the modest little Alabama Citizen, sometimes semi-monthly, sometimes a weekly, he sowed the seeds that have yielded ti1.s bountiful harvest. Christian people well comed him and his agents into their churches and cheerfully responded to his could never get over that. "A preacner- politician as they called him; lon Sun. day, going into church, mounting the pulpit and taking a collection!' That
 was horrible sacrilege, %according to
 their pure minds.
 All the same, in spite of their protests, the collections were given and the work of education went on. Over difficulties that would have appalled, less courage ous mani he forged along and as one said: "He delivered the goods and that 1 is why they hate him."
 The Anti-Saloon league is one of the simplest organizations in the world, but the opposition papers, with one consent are denominating it, 'The most power full political machine ever put into ac- tion." When it's organization was first announced in Alabama, wise editor of the leading opposition paper said: That means trouble to Alabama" And so it
 has proved to bel Trouble, the worst sort
 of trouble, to the liquor traffic and all it's supporters and defenders. Thank God for trouble" that puts millions of dollars into the pocket of our citizens and into the treasuries of our great business en- | terprises and into the deposits of our banks. The kind of trouble" that makes happy mothers and wives, that clothes and feeds and schools the children, shuts up the jais and puts our courts out of | business. We covet more trouble like | that for Alabama The trouble-making
 machine was put largely into the hands of Brooks Lawrence How we'll he worked 1t through the years. the 18th day of August, in the good year of 1918, revealed.
 They may call him Dictator or Boss what-not. the good people of | Alabama owe him a debt of gratitude they can never repay.
 He has made mistakes, who is there that hasn't? Maybe he alienated some friends, that is result that comes to every man in public life.
 Today Brooks Lawrence has the satis- faction of knowing that the first man ie went up against before that house com mittee in Montgcroerv and hosts of the ablest men In the state. who at time consorted with the opposition, are standing like walls of adamant against the foe.
 It will be hard for the opposition 10 yield gracefully, but they ought to patri- otically acknowledge their defeat and cease to abuse. the Anti-Saloon leagre and the man who has led it to victory. There is no occasion for further trou- ble among the democrats of Alabama. Let us have peace!
 Montgomery, Ala