The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-29
POLITICAL rxTEMpERaNcE.

The enforcement of sobriety by laws
following as early as 1855. Indiana once
had a prohibition law which the courts
declared to be unconstitutional Twenty
nve years ago there was a strong element
in the country that believed that prohibit
ton was a cure for the vice of intem-
perance. once there were prohIbitory laws
in force in the New England States. Years
ago Massachusetts, rebelled against
its prohibitory law and repealed it, In
Maine. New Hampshire and Vermont there
named the Constitution recognizes prohibi-
ton. Yet in all the larger towns of Maine
the law Is not enforced. Now and then
an attempt is made, but the sheriff and
prosecutor who Undertake the enforce
ment are defeated in the next election.
In New Hampshire the law is a dead letter,
and the condition is not much better in
Vermont. Massachusetts has local option,
which is well enforced. Kansas has con-
stitutional prohibition, yet it is we'll known
that the law is ignored in all the larger
towns except Topeka. Iowa has got rid of
its prohibitory law. which it could not en-
force in cities.
Thousands of men who have noted these
facts, while recognizing the evils of in
temperance as keenly now as ever, are
convinced that prohibition cannot be made
effective until a majority of the voters in
a community are in favor of that policy.
They see that until the majority desires
to have the liquor traffic extirpated it
cannot be done by law because public
opinion is stronger than law, and the will
or the Indifference Of the majority regard
ing any practice or evil is stronger than
law. 1t should not be so, but 1t is a fact,
facts. Laws prohibiting labor and amuse-s
ments on Sunday have been on the statute
books as long as Indiana has been a State.
and these laws impose a penalty upon
those who are guilty of ~blasphemy. These
laws are dead letters. because public opin-
ion. whether at fault or not. does not re-
gard Sunday labor and swearing as crimes
for which men should be fined or sent to
Jail.
The logical policy Of those who are sup
porting prohibition is to lead the majority
TO see that intemperance Is a great evil,
and to convert men to temperance prac-
tees and ideas. The political prohibition
list does nothing of the kind. Temperance
opinion and practice Is spreading. but the
Prohibition party does nothing TO promote
temperance sentiment. The great forces
working for sobriety are industrial and
commercial. The railroad manager will
not employ an Incorporate man. He an
not get employment in the great industries
where clear heads are needed about ma
chinery. He Is debarred from COM
the years increase. public opinion Is ar
raging against intemperance. At no period
In the history Of the country was drunk
enness regarded as such an offense 10 the
community and such an individual dis
grace. To that growing sentiment of tenn
perance the political Prohibitionist has not
contributed an iota. 1t Is not his inten-
ton TO save men by moral influences and
spiritual forces, but to assail and malign
men who will not accept his dictation.
Many Of them, by their contemplate
methods. work injury to the cause of
sobriety.