Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-12-27
Constitutional Prohibition.

u
The hitherto rapidly advancing line of
the hosts of temperance have this fall en-
oountered several severe checks. It is time
10 reform our lines and reconsider our plan
of campaign. In Ohio the party that stood
for emo sumptuary laws" commonly under
stood to mean temperance and Sabbath
laws) won a great victory. In Indiana the
party that opposed submitting a prohibi-
tory amendment to the popular vote also
trinmphed. In Kansas, Governor st. John,
the regular candidate Of party containing
three-ffths of the voters of the state, has
been badly beaten because he was prohibi-
ZIONIST. The Iowa constitutional amend
ment has been declared null and void by
district court. Now all good citizens, and
especially all Christians, earnestly desire
the suppression of the liquor traffic. Va
rious religious bodies all over the country
have been OF late committing themselves TO
the support of constitutional prohibition.
Nearly all the recent active temperance
propagandism has seemed to be directed to
the same end. The question to be consid-
cred now is, whether this policy is on the
whole the wisest.
In the first place then, in view of recent
events, it is almost certain that none OF the
great central interior states can be carried
on that issue. Ohio certainly cannot, with
her great cities, her large German popula-
ton, and her requirement that majority
of all the votes cast at general election
shall support proposed amendment. A
state that contains such a city as Chicago is
very doubtful on this issue in view of the
small prohibition majority in Iowa. lndi-
ana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Missouri are
not to be counted upon with certainty
How, then, can it be wise to push the tenn
perance lines into probable disastrous defeat
BY this particular, rigid and somewhat doc
trinaire method We may be able to re-
cover from Bull Run of this kind, but the
experiment is dangerous, and, unless nee
essary, not to be recommended.
Secondly, if such amendments can be car.
ried at present it must be by narrow major
tiles, and only after such efforts as cannot
be repeated year after year. But of course
we have to depend on suitable legislative
enactments to enforce the amendments when
adopted and in the absence of the determ
ined efforts necessary to carry the amend
ments, legislatures would inevitably be
chosen that would politically nullify the will
of the people. Ohio is one Of the most in
temperate and whiskey-cursed states in the
Union, and that, too, in spite of an anti-li-
expressions of the peoples will in accord
ance with the constitution. Nothing what
ever is gained for temperance by constitu-
tional prohibition unless the Legislatures
will act in that interest. Constitutional
mandates are of small weight unless sup
ported by decided public opinion.
Thirdly, if legislative action could be de
pended on, their enactments would fail in
all the large cities, if we can infer anything
from the history of temperance laws fol-
thirty years past. Prohibitory laws have
been passed in different forms in different
states,-amended and re-amended,-b &C
tual prohibition Of the liquor traffic has not
yet been secured in single large city, and
in very few towns with more than 5000 in
habitants Ohio has probably 100000 PEG.
pie, or nearly fourth of her entire popula-
ton, living in towns and cities where prohi-
bition could not at present be enforced.
Illinois has similar population of perhaps
100000, or more than fifth Of the whole.
Very considerable urban populations may
be found in all the other central states,
among whom there is no present reason for
hoping that such laws would be efficiently
carried out. In what conceivable way such
state of things would promote temperance,
the common mind fails to realize. The
spectacle Of fourth of the population de.
flying, or even successfully evading, state
law based upon constitutional amendment
would be demoralizing in the extreme.
Rural saloonists would learn the tricks Of
their city brethren, and would be embold-
ened by their success, because the control
ling influences radiate from the cities.
Rural prohibition would encourage city pro.
hibition very little because cities do not
talx thar ba
Under such state of things, moreover,
the employment of laws of a restraining and
palliative character would be made difficult
and unlikely. So long as men have conf
dence in general and sweeping measures
they will not incline toward what they re-
gard as halfway measures. In Ohio the
prohibition party by its votes-this fall
put itself in opposition to the taxation and
Sabbath laws, which would have greatly di-
minished the evils of the liquor traffic
That seems to be the disposition of the prin
cipal leaders in the new crusade" With
them, it is all or nothing, So plain are al
these things that some of the wisest of the
friends of constitutional prohibition support
it mainly because of its supposed educa
tional effect. They say it will be great
gain to have a state declare the liquor traffic
a crime, even if actual prohibition fails il
the cities. The error here lies in the fac
that predominant public opinion in many
places does not admit that liquor-selling il
crime at ALL and the only effect upon suci
communities of declaration of that kind il
to embitter them. The people of the UniteC
States, by large majority, would have de
clared secession TO be a crime in 1861, bu
the people of the south would not have ad
mitted it for moment. Laws are Away
very poor persuaders; not much better thai
jails or revolvers Laws formulate opinion
already established, and there their useful
ness in the realm of thought ceases. Ii
fact, there is good reason for fearing tina
temperance is about to be wounded in tn
house Of its friends, unless thinking mel
and women use their power boldly TO re
strain the present well-intended, but indis
Greet rush for constitutional prohibition
Wise men are not often bold or self-conf
dent but there is abundant reason for mall
ing their voices heard. Surely it is wort
while TO avoid series Of losing battles 70
temperance by taking up position tina
can be defended
In conclusion, it may be said that loca
option is form of legislation that will edu
cate. The superior prosperity of towns an
counties that are free from the liquor traffi
becomes the strongest argument for prob
bition in towns and counties not yet emar
cipated from that dread scourge, provide
that people feel that the decision rests wit
themselves. What is going on in Kentuck
may be expected everywhere under loci
option laws. The number of communitie
determined upon prohibition steadily grow
under the persuasive influence of facts.
ever Chicago and Cincinnati are freed froI
the liquor curse, it will be when their PEI
pie themselves determine TO have it SO an
whenever majority of them are convince
not crushed by rural votes-they will /
decide. This is the American, republican
Christian way of dealing with this grei
question, and by and by, probably, we sha
all see it.-Aduance.