The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-05-01
The Future of Prohibition.

at all.
The Future of Prohibition.
The overwhelming defeat OF the prohi-
biti0n amendment in Massachusetts fol-
lowing so closely upon like result in
New Hampshire, indicates pretty conclu-
sively that the prohibition movement in
this country has passed its climax, and
is beginning to recede. In no section
could it be expected to show more strength
than in New England, in which every
state has, at one time OF another. expert
mented with either constitutional or
statutory prohibition, Purltanical tradi-
tions are still strong in New England, and
the population is more homogeneous, at
least in the great cities, than in any other
part of the republic. Yet New Hamp-
shire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island
all declare, with emphasis, against the
policy OF prohibition. Evidently the peo-
pie of these states are thoroughly con-
WINGED that there are other and better
ways of dealing with the liquor evil than
the method of constitutional prohibition.
1t is an interesting circumstance that
both in New Hampshire and Massachu-
sets the prohibitionists proved to be
almost as weak in the rural districts as in
the towns. In New Hampshire cider was
excluded from the proposed amendment
in Massachusetts it was expressly in
cluded vet in both states the farmers
failed to rally to the prohibition standard.
Ii is pretty safe to conclude that the
cider issue cut little figure in either state
and that the farmers voted against prohi-
bition because they did not believe it a
wise policy.
IN Pennsylvania q proposed prohibition
amendment will be voted on June Is The
campaign has been a sharply contested
one, but the results in Massachusetts, and
New Hampshire have had depressing
effect on the ''prohis," and their defeat is
fully assured. The only question is as to
the dimensions of the majority against
them. 1T will not be small" says the
Philadelphia Times; ''it may be $4,000; it
is likely to be more than $4,000, and it is
quite probable that it may exceed 1O0OOO
The same journal, however, predicts that
the agitation will be maintained with un-
diminished energy, Notwithstanding the
adverse verdicts of Massachusetts,, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island and Pennsyl-
vania. The Times saws:
Prohibition is defeated in Pennsylvania on
the issue OF ENGRAVING it into the fundamental
law of the state, but there is no probability
that prohibition effort will be in any degree re-
Taxed because this particular movement is
certain 10 fail. On the contrary, IL need not
surprise any to see increased energy and enthu-
siasm in the prohibition ranks. They are not
dealing with the issue as a mere shifting ex-
pedient, as the politicians have dealt with it.
They believe in it they accept its battle as a
sacred duty; they have no thought of surrend-
ering the cause on one or even on a dozen de-
feats, and they will charge in solid column on
the 18th of June in the face of certain disaster,
and will be ready to reform their lines and re-
new the charge whenever the cause shall be
Immediately or remotely involved.
The support of prohibition comes from sin
cere conviction. and, like the anti-slavery battle
OF old that began with cranks and defeat and
ended with statesmen and success. the prohibit
ton conflict is likely 10 gather new energy and
new strength by defeat
We believe the predictions of the Times
will be verified. The prohibitionists will
hCCp "a inClI llEtils dAlllOugu utltdL dlLeT
defeat is encountered. But they will
never succeed in imposing their policy
upon any considerable number of states.
The best way to render their agitation
harmless is to faithfully enforce all exist
ing laws for the regulation of the liquor
traffic, and to strengthen these laws when
ever and wherever practicable in such a
way as to afford the greatest protection to
society without trenching in the least
upon the individual rights of the citizen.
If men who have their means invested in
the liquor traffic could be made to see the
wisdom OF such policy they would soon
detach from the support of prohibition
the great body of public sentiment which
has made il formidable. 1t is the LIQUOR
extremists-the saloon fanatics (for there
are fanatics on both sides who have, by
their unreasoning opposition to Just and
moderate measures for the regulation and
restraint Of the liquor traffic, given to the
prohibition movement the bulk of its
strength. When the liquor interest every
where shows a disposition to be content
with the same rights and privileges it en-
JOYS in other countries, the prohibition
movement will very quickly go to pieces.