The Cairo bulletin., 1909-02-21

intemperance in thought and speech
work more harm than intemperance
in drink.
After Jesus had heard the Phari-
sees, as recorded by St. Matthews in
the 18th chapter, 18th verse, he thus
addressed the multitude:
| Not that which goeth into the
mouth defileth a man; but that which
cometh out OF the mouth, this defiletn
man.
"TMCre is nothing In divine law
which makes prohibition itself NOR
al issue and there is no such general
sentiment among Christian mankind
as to justify such characterization
| England has been a Nation for
centuries and has sown the seeds of
civilization over the inhabitable globe
She has given churchmen, poets, phi
losophers and warriors whose names
and fame are as, wide as the world,
cepted in England as moral issue
or even a desirable thing from an
economic standpoint.
Neither France. Germany nor any
of the older Nations have thought II
was, nor has the United States, as a
Government, treated prohibition as a
moral issue.
Indeed its policy has been the re-
verse, for'it not only recognizes the
right of the people to make and use
liquor, but Congress has refused re-
peatedly to enact law to prevent
the shipment of liquor from othe:
States into prohibition States.
in the very large majority Of the
| States of the Union there Is no con-
siderable sentiment for prohibition,
and if we compare the moral tone of
the people, their intelligence and
wealth, in the States where prohibit
tion does not prevail with the few
States where 1t does, think fair
and accurate observer would be
bound to conclude that prohibition
neither elevates morally, materially
nor intellectually.
Let us now compare cities that are
under prohibition laws with the con.
sent of the people, with those where
liquor is still legally sold, and II the
comparison should not show dis.
tinct advantage for such cities as
have consented to pass under such
laws, then the argument in favor of
prohibition for cities who do not con-
sent to the law is sheer nonsense
Let the comparison be made be-
tween Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Who will say the conditions In Knox
vile are better than in Chattanooga?
Are the people happier or better
in Knoxville than in Chattanooga?
Is there more employment for labor,
and is it paid better wage? Are rents
higher? Is there more building? Are
more houses tenated In Knoxville
than in Chattanooga?
rs not the only difference so far as
liquor is concerned that 1t can be OBJ
tanned In Chattanooga legally and
openly, and can be obtained illegally
and surreptitiously in Knoxville? The
prohibition law to which Knoxville
consented is not observed. while the
laws are observed in Chattanooga.
III the law will not be observed
where the people consent how can we
Iexpect II to be observed where they
do not consent?
In Chattanooga the testimony Is
that the open saloons, under a wise
excise law, close at 10 O'Clock at
night, are never open on Sunday, and
the people do not want a change.
Compare Nashville with any city
of its size in the country, and there
is not one that has less trouble with
the liquor question. not one that has
more moral or law-abiding people,
and ; believe it would be entirely safe
to say there is less crime In Nashville
with the legal saloon and less liquor
drank and sold than in either BirminS.
ham or Atlanta. Ga. under prohibi.
ton laws.
Memphis Position.
The city of Memphis contains a
populatiob conservatlvely estimated
at 100000, and the sentiment of the
people is practically unanimous
against prohibition. II is not con.
fined to one class, but embraces all
classes.
Memphis Is situated on the Missis-
sippi river. a great interstate artery.
and boats from the North and the
South discharge their cargoes at her
wharyes.
The State has not the power to
prevent the carrying and landing BY
these boats of liquor for this trade.
and it would come under the protec-
ton of the interstate commerce
clause of the Constitution.
| a.Tupiyp lines Of raifroadS ra1faf,s