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| William Jennings Bryan |
What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the
April 11, 1918 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN IN CAMDEN: William Jennings Bryan,
the Great Commoner, and thrice candidate for the Presidency of the United
States, addressed an audience in Camden on Monday afternoon last on the High
School campus, in behalf of the National Prohibition Amendment. Mr. Bryan was
preceded by Mr. Brooks Lawrence, who made a very effective talk. Mr. Bryan was
introduced by Hon. J.M. Bonner in a very effective and eloquent style. With a
few remarks along patriotic lines, Mr. Bryan launched into a discussion of the
prohibition question. His remarks were eloquent and with unerring logic and
convincing truth, he laid bare the folly of the claims of the liquor traffic
for consideration of the voter. He presented two very important facts, facts which
might well be noted by those who are accustomed to gauge their convictions on
the basis of the two leading newspapers opposing ratification.
That he, would bitterly oppose the issue at this time if it
hampered in the least the war activities of the United States. He told of the
efforts of the saloons to place their liquors within reach of our boys at the
training camps and aviation schools, thereby proving their regard for the
business paramount to the nation’s welfare. He also stated and also Mr. Lawrence,
that he did not receive one penny compensation for his services, but that his
returns for services were derived in the pleasure he had in battling for the
safety of the home and in behalf of the children.
Regardless of the bad roads and unfavorable weather preceding,
hundreds of people were on hand to greet the distinguished speaker and the
effectiveness of the address was shown by the close attention of all throughout
the speech. His exposition of the states right’s plea completely shattered this
line of defense, and we know of several who came to the meeting with that as
their plea who left determined to join the ranks of forces of righteousness.
Many of the most prominent citizens of the county were present and the seed
sown no doubt will bear fruit in the coming campaign. Mr. Bryan left
immediately for Fort Deposit where he spoke at 8 p.m.
Dr. W.R.K. Beck of Fort Oglethorpe spent several days with
his mother the past week.
Messrs. Peyton Burford and Irby Savage, who have completed
their course at the Officers Training Camp at Camp Gordon, returned for a short
visit to their parents.
NOTICE TO PUBLIC: The Board of Education will meet on
Thurs., May 16, to nominate (a) principal for the Wilcox County High School,
and to attend to such other matters as may come before it. – O.C. Weaver, Supt.
Education.
There will be no preaching at the A.R.P. Church next
Sabbath, the 14th, the pastor will be absent at Marion Junction. On
the third Sabbath of this month, the 21st, he will also be absent at
Red Level, Ala., attending the meeting of Presbytery and his pulpit will be
vacant on that day. – B.H. Grier.
Miss Kittie Burford of Montgomery Woman’s College spent
several days with her parents this week.
Mr. and Mrs. D.O. Watson of Caledonia are the happy parents
of a 10-pound boy.
Mrs. E.H. Pritchett spent this weekend with her father in
Selma.
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