The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-10
Circulation Statement.
Temperance and Intempernnce.

wonder that those ostensibly engaged in
preventing intemperance are often them
selves so exceedingly Incorporate in the
means which theys see fit to use toward that
end. Not only do they seem to think that
the end iustifies the means, but some
times that their methods are somehow
creditable to their zeal and earnestness.
The attitude which The Times has taken
toward the Nation business has been made
necessary by the fact that not only does
the saloon smasher appear to have been
produced by the peculiar civilization of
Kansas. but Kansas seems TO be inclined
to be proud of the fact. In other words,
not only is Mrs. Nation worthy of Kansas.
but Kansas seems to oe worthy of Mrs
Nation. One might think that any intelli-
gent man, with a decent regard for mother
sister. wife, or daughter, would feel that
the behavior OF these crusaders, as they
call themselves, is subyersiye Of most
worthy feminine instincts. and that any
endorsement of them is a covert insult
to American womanhood; but it appears
that the members of the Kansas Legisla-
ture do not feel that way. II is. rather
difficult for the average thinker to IN
derstand.
1t is claimed. in defence of these vio-
lators of the law. that those who are their
victims are themselves lawbreakers. and
that their property. being utilized in open
violation Of the prohibitory laws of the
State. is fair prey for anybody with a case
OF conscience bad enough TO warrant the
destruction of other peoples furniture in
the name of righteousness. This is open
to unpleasant comment in two different
ways. In the first place, the breaking of
one law is no excuse for the breaking OF
another. may be a thief, a murderer, a
perjurer, and violator OF all the Ten
Commandments; but that does not Justify
b, when he comes into possession of the
facts, in making himself an impromptu
sheriff and debating the punishment
OF A, as the sheriff is not empowered
to do. That is The whole argument against
lynch law and mob rule-that however
great the provocation, men have no right
to take the law into their own hands, be-
cause that means anarchy, or tribal gov
eminent. Ii is reyersion to barbarism.
Through the hardly won experience OF I'M
told centuries, mankind has learned that
the only right way TO enforce right be-
hayior is through due process of law, and
that the way to reform abuses is either
to take advantage of the channels estab-
lished by custom-which can generally be
made to serve the purpose if the reformers
are earnest enough-or 10 work upon pub
lie sentiment in such way that new legal
methods can be found to prevent crime.
Every time a private citizen elects him
self policeman. prosecuting attorney, jury.
Judge. and sheriff. he attempts to invali-
date a force, cumulative through the
Tteadily increasing moral sensitiveness OF
mankind through centuries of progress,
and to drag that section of the community
in which he lives at least one step nearer
the brute.
The laws against the destruction of hu-
man life and of property are among the
oldest in the history OF the world. Very
early 1t was recognized that to destroy
the possessions for which man labors is
TO take away part OF his life. Long be-
fore Shylock was made to say
You do take my life
When you do take the means whereby l live
sayages fought over hunting privileges
and it was made crime 20 remove ones
neighbor's landmark The security OF
property is a thing in which ali the police
forces Of the world are involved. 1t is
doubtful whether, IL the saloon -sms shers
carried their lynch law little further
and attacked the persona as well as the
furniture OF the saloonkeepers public
opinion would support them: but the prin-
ciple is exactly the same In both cases:
lawbreaklng is lawbreaking
The other train OF thought suggested by
this statement-that the saloon business
in Kansas is against the LAWS connected
with the Kansas Legislature. To prevent
absolutely BY law the use of intoxicating
drinks is in the present stage OF the world
an impossibility. What II may be in the
future nobody can tell. II human nature.
1T some time in the ages to come suffers
g transmutation which makes it possible
for legislators to intrude upon the privacy
OF mans life. and dictate to him what
he shall eat and drink and wear. how he
shall dispose Of his income, and how many
times year he shall whip his children.
without such laws being Indignantly re-
pudlated by the mass Of the people. there
may be some chance then for the prohi-
bition ideal to be adopted But dealing
with human nature as It is now. and is
likely to remain for some time TO come.
wise sociologists have perceived. with
practical unanimity, that the only thing 10
do with such necessary evil as the liquor
habit is to regulate it. At present 1t is,
owing to the wide diversity OF sentiment In
th7 different States. practically unregu-
lated in this country. In one place there
is high license. in another prohibition. and
in another laws made as favorable as pos
slble to the saloonkeeper This lack of
unanimity produces wayering condition
of public sentiment which results In great
lsxity of treatment all around. In prohi-
bition States the law is not enforced; In
high license localities not always and in
places where the saloonkecpers have il
all their ownNxay with the licenses there
is still so much impractical. unreasoning
prejudice against the business that hun
dred subterfuges such as side doors.
screens. and the like are employed, with
the result that anybody who Is ashamed
% be seen drinking can get drink with
nut being seen Il does not take a Solo