Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-06-15
CHURCH VS.. SALOON.
ADDRESS or REV. 7. DEWITT HYDE
BEFORE THE CIVIC LEAGUE.

The following address was delivered
by President Hyde Of Bowdoin College
before the Christian Civic League Of
Maine at the time OF its organization In
Waterville:
The hero OF recent popular novel,
who was very bashful In his early col
lege DAYS, found himself called upon to
take Young lady out to refreshments.
He was so overwhelmed by this novel
and bitter-sweet experience that every
idea left him; he couldn't think OF a
word TO say; snd so for several minutes
minutes which were ages OF agony
to him--thev sat side by side In awful
silence. Then at last that cruel maiden
broke the spell, or rather bound 1t all
the tighter bv saying: "Now lets talk
about something else" Since the adop-
ton OF the prohibitory amendment TO the
constitution In 1884, the temperance peo-
pie OF Maine have been sitting az dumb
as the bashful freshman; and at length
the patient long-sufIering temperance
cause, like the arch maiden, ventures
the remark, "Iet's talk about something
else"
In the meantime the enemies and the
critics Of temperance have not been
silent or inactive. First In few large
centres and out of the way places a.
local exceptions; then more generally
and openly throughout the larger cities
and towns; and recently with frank and
deliberate proposals To nullify the law
BY applying the Bangor plan" Where
ever the enforcement Of the law is deem
..r.- n. n 4 4. l..
an increasing disregard and defiance OF
the law on the part OF citizens and
officials alike. Newspapers, hostile TO
the law, have seized every opportun-
ity to publish and magnify its fail
ings. Finally the committee OF fifty,
in report which In the main Is prob
ably reliable In Its statement OF facts,
but Is misleading In the general impress
sion which II gives by Its Interpretation
OF these facts, has declared that "more
than two-thirds of the population OF
Maine are not living under an enforced
prohibitory law, and that more than
one-half live In towns and cities where
the liquor traffic Is practically unrestrict-
ed, so far rs the opportunity for procur-
ing drink Is concerned"
There Is great truth in the contention
of the pessimist, "ln world where
everything is bad, II Is good to know the
worst" As careful and painstaking
statement Of the unfavorable aspects OF
the working Of the prohibitory law in
Maine, the report of this committee Is
welcome contribution TO the problem.
With their conclusion that prohibition
has been and must be failure wherever
tried, we may not agree. But we all
assent to their statement that "The fact
that prohibition has so long had place
on the statute books, and latterly In the
constitution, has fostered a feeling OF
security detrimental to the cause OF tenn
perance, pure and simple. The corrupt
Ing influence of large social element
thriving in defiance Of all law needs no
further elucidation; bribery, perjury,
and official dishonor follow it."
Assuming then that the facts are as
bad as the report Of the committee OF
fifty represents, what do they signify!
And what are you going to do about 1t
The facts are just what We might have
expected. No law executes itself. As
Emerson says: "a thing uttered In
words Is not therefore affirmed. 1t must
affirm itself, or no form of logic or oath
can give 1t evidence" No form OF con-
stitution or statute can make q law effect
I've. A united, organized, aggressive,
public sentiment is the only thing that
can enforce law. Evil in flesh and