The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1889-07-12

throne of its power. 1t is often very much
obscured, and frequent appa rent set-backs
occur, as viewed from the human stand
point, yet in reality these always turn out
to the furtherance of the great object in
view, and prove the most effective means
of educating the public mind. Truth does
not always remain PROSTATE in the dust
and wrong sit forever on the throne, though
truth can stand a good many reverses and
survive, for as Mr.. Bryant says, "Truth
gets we'll if she is run over by a locomotive,
while error dies of lock jaw If she scratches
her finger"
So it is with the great cause OF the pro-
hibition OF the liquor traffic, which is up
permost in the public mind to-day, and a
practical illustration of the ideas advanced
above has just been given in the constitu-
tional amendment election in Pennsylvania.
One of the chief arguments used against
the success of the amendment was the al
legged excellency of the present laws for the
regulation of the traffic, and the necessity
of giving these a fair trial before making a
change, as absolute prohibition was impos-
sible of enforcement. The official result of
the election. however, has scarcely been
declared before the Supreme Court knocks a
big hole in the Brooks law, and causes a
dangerous leak in its boosted powers of
regulation and restriction. For the fact
now is, instead of this wholesome judicial
oversight and discrimination. the courts
are almost without option, except In a very
limited sense. while in other respects the
judicial loophole is such as to permit a
shameful prostitution of the ermine, as in
the case of Judge Hageman, of Reading.
The educational effect of all this is being
brought out with very forcible emphasis,
add already ~foreshadows the coming OF the
highest success out of the very ashes of de-
feat. And this is no where more striking
ly seen than in the change in public senti-
ment and the tone of the public press. Dur
attention has beer specially directed to
this view of the situation by the following
editorial, which we find in the Daily Intel
Figencer, of Doylestown, Pa, one of the old
est and staunchest Republican papers of
that State, and which has heretofore been
a strong advocate of high license as the
great cure-all for the evils Of the liquor
traffic. 1t does not stop at statutory prohi-
bition, but declares that the only proper
thing to do is to put it in the Constitution
and make it a part of the fundamental law
of the State. Here is what it says:
.Some of the eminently strong moral
people who opposed the Prohibitory
Amendment, recently before the people,
did so avowedly because the existing laws
were so excellent. They had already ac-
complished SO much good that they should
be given a longer test before changes were
attempted. They were safe and sure in
their operations, and highly satisfactory in
their results. They could and would be
enforced and upheld by the Courts and
would become more stringent as they be-
came better understood by both Courts
and people. This reasoning was specious
and effective and carried many votes into
the ballot box in opposition to the amend
ment.
'The Supreme Court has, however, been
heard from since June 18th. The efficacy
and safety of the laws as to liquor subjects
is in these latter days greatly and gener-
ally in doubt. With our present knowl-
edge and enlarged information it is as
clear as the sun at MONDAY that the only
safe place for the people to put a prohibit
tory law is in the constitution. Constitu-
tional Prohibition is a principle, and in the
Constitution is the place for the recording
of principles.
1--WE did not expect, a month ago, that
we should have this point emphasized so
strongly in the SO near future. Yet here
it is. If Il more striking vindication, from
a more eminent body of citizens, has ever
been given, of the present wisdom and
pressing need Of Constitutional Prohibition,
it certainly has never been recorded. If
the highest law authority in the State
needs Constitutional Prohibition for its
guidance, as it evidently does, every other
authority or officer certainly needs not less
strong, clear and positive lines Of conduct
and control"