The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1922-09-22

REV. BROOKS LAWRENCE
League man having been attorney for
the Maryland AntiSlloon League for
number OF years.
Mr.. Lawrence resigned the superin-
tendency to go into private business
but will continue his interest in League
activities i'll Alabama as member OF
the Headquarters Committee
Mr.. Mills by training and experience
is well qualified to lead the dry forces
of Alabama. The American Issue
joins with his hest OF friends in con-
graduating him upon his advancement.
DIR. w. B, Crunpton, president of
the Anti-Saloon League OF Alabama,
introduced the following paper which
was unanimously adopted by the Head
quarters Committee:
A Tribute to Brooks Lawrence
"The man and the occasion certainly
met when Brooks Lawrence on May
6, 1906, accepted the SUPPLEMENTARY
of the Alabama Anti-Saloon League.
THE League was organized in Sep
TENDER, 1905, Rev. S. I. Watson, pas
tor of Decatur Methodist church be-
coming superintendent pro tenn.
Not until May, 1906, when Law
renee came, did the League function in
an aggressive way. In little while
the superintendent by his superior or
ganizing ability had everything we'll in
hand and the machine was set a-going.
From the start, the enemy was
alarmed and did their worst against
our every move. One of their papers,
announcing the organization in Bir-
mingham, remarked sadly, This means
trouble for Alabama It's words soon
proved to be prophetic, all the forces
of evil, recognized the League as in
the field to destroy the institution
which had been to them their chief
alder and abetter. There was trouble
for them in the times OF elections,
trouble in the legislative gatherings and
trouble before the courts.
"The enemy assailed the superin-
tendent because he was from Ohio.
Detectives were dispatched there to in
Nestigate him from the cradle until he
turned his face towards Alabama, SO
confident that they could easily find
something TO ruin his character before
tAe Southern white people Editorials
were set up and cartoons prepared,
awaiting the tick of he telegraph for
their publications-bu they found
nothing but good and this they cared
not to print.
Without money the League went
out to assail one of the oldest and rich
est institutions in the world. The time
was ripe for the coming of the super
intendent, with all his skill and energy.
The agitation which had gone on for
several years had created sentiment
which threw open the church doors
and welcomed the superintendent or
his representative, to speak and ask
for financial aid. The first year about
$4,000 was gathered in this way.
Later when Big Business began to see
the advantage of the League work in
their business the superintendent found
easy access to men of large means.
His superior tact, his aggressive en-
thusiasrn, his courageous defence and
superb leadership, put him in the fore
front of all legislative gatherings. The
righteousness of the cause he repre-
scented appealed to all the preachers
and leaders of religious bodies, assur-
ing not only their active public CO.
operation, but through them and their
congregations Heavens blessing came
down in answer to their prayers.
Rounding out sixteen years of in
cessant labor, Our beloved supcrintend-
ent retires at his own request, happy
in the thought that he has done no
small part in making the state of Ala
bama and the whole nation legally dry.
For two years he has pleaded that he
might be released to undertake a less
active job, but his love for the cause
has held him to his task until this day.
Every. member of the Headquarters
Committee and the Trustees of the
League and the many thousands who
have followed his leadership, will now
follow him with their prayers and cher
s-4 Tor him an undying love-"