"I stand solely for the principle of prohibition, unswerving till death," announced the clergyman. His partisans applauded. "You won't stop and listen to what may be for the actual best interests of our State, then?" "I'll not license crime nor compound felonies with criminals." "Mr. Prouty, as Governor I signed the first prohibition law passed in this State. It was on trial. I was liberal enough to bend my own personal views to give it that trial. When I'm thinking of my State I don't insist that _my_ way is the _only_ way. Now, sir, if you knew that, as citizens, not mere partisans, we could all get together and frame something better than a law that has bred evils of political corruption through all the years without altering the appetites of the people--if you knew that, wouldn't you remould some of your opinions and help us bring about the best good for the whole of us?" "I'll not abate my loyalty to prohibition one jot or tittle!" "In your case and in the case of the kind of fanatics who train with you," declared the General, with disgust in tone and mien, "that word 'prohibition' is simply a fetish--a rally-call for a fight. It is you, sir, and such as you, who are holding this State back from real progress. I'm not discussing the liquor question alone. I haven't patience to discuss it with you. I'm referring to the spirit that actuates you. Your kind sat as judges in the Inquisition. Prohibition now offers an opportunity for your bigotry--that's why you cling to it. You cling to it in spite of the fact that it has made more than drunkards--it has made liars and thieves and perjurers and grafters out of men who would not otherwise have been tempted. When men arise to tell the truth about it, you get behind your morality mask and accuse them of the basest motives and claim immunity for yourselves from attack in return. I fear I am a little severe, sir, but your attitude showed that you came to me with appetite for a quarrel." "I'll see to it," declared Mr. Prouty, hotly, "that five hundred ministers in this State denounce you from their pulpits as an enemy to temperance." "You don't know what temperance is!" General Waymouth brushed past them. "Your definition slanders the word. I shall be glad to have your support, gentlemen, at the polls. But I am for the State, not for your faction or any other faction. I know you are not used to hearing a candidate tell you the truth--it has not been the style in this State. If the truth from me has shocked you, blame the truth, not me." He ushered Harlan before him and closed his door upon the delegation.