by June Griffin

Eventually, there is a Resurrection of the dead. In this case, old newspaper articles. So another Bourbon Myth is brought to light.

CHATTANOOGA NEWS, THURSDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 24, 1929.

"Wet" Forces in Open Rebellion says Mrs. Welch.

W.C.T.U. President says liquor interests creating disrespect for law.

Cleveland, Oct. 24. (AP)

Liquor interests were charged today by Mrs. Minnie Allison Welch of Sparta, President of the Tennessee W.C.T.U. with being in "open rebellion against the Government of the United States."

"Ever since the 18th Amendment became law," she said in an address prepared for delivery before that organization's annual convention, "have the liquor interests, headed by the Association against the Prohibition Amendment, been so active and persistent in their efforts to break down the morale of the people and create sentiment for the repeal of the Prohibition law as they are at present."

She declared that "they are propagating respect for the bootlegger and disrespect for the law." And that "they are not only working to nullify a part of the Constitution, but are bragging about it…In brief they are in open rebellion against the Government of the United States."

Turning to what she said had been described as a loss to the Government and revenue from liquor, Mrs. Welch quoted Roger W. Babson, the statistician, as saying: "Prohibition has saved our country $3,000,000,000 a year." And added, "For every $1,000,000 recovered in taxes by restoring the saloon, the nation would pay many millions more in impaired efficiency of its workers and productive business replaced by a destructive traffic."

"National prohibition in the United States of America," she continued, "is not a failure. It is the will of the people of today, and despite the very poor enforcement, the "Wets" claim for it, it has already proved of enormous value to business."

Praise was accorded by Mrs. Welch to the woman who has the courage to "turn down her glass" when attending social functions where alcoholic drinks are served.

"In reality," she said, "it is becoming quite the smart thing to do these days, Washington society has set the pace. Will the women of America follow suit?"

This Mockingbird just wonders whether Mrs. Welch is one of the ladies memoralized on the plaque on the back of Lem Motlow's statue at the State Capitol. I wouldn't be surprised.

Copied out of the Bicentennial Edition of the Chattanooga Free Press, published 1976, by June Griffin.

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