The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-08-24
sooTLEoeINe vuLTuREa.

Il
bition law. which became sfrective In
Tennessee July i. that state has had
some experience with bootleggers The
Nashville Tennessean has the follow
ing editorial comment on that class of
violators:
The battle OF Waterloo was attended
By vultures in human form who robbed
the dead and the dying. The Johns
town food furnished many victims for
wingless carrlon thieves of this same
sort Reconstruction brought them 10
the south to reap rich harvest from
the misfortunes OF the whites and the
credulity OF the blacks.
Following every disaster causing loss
OF human life. or imperiling human
liberty. so-caIled men. with the cour-
age, the morals and the appetite OF the
euzzard, take advantage OF the oppor-
tunity TO ply their trade
To this class belong the bootieggers.
who thrive on the curse that has befal-
len others. and who convert the drunk
ards crave for drink into merry, 5ing-
ling dollars
That this vulture would follow the
prohibition army through the south
and fatten on the purses OF the indi-
viduals enslaved to the drink habit and
dead to every conception OF morality.
decency and duty as citizens. even to
the extent Of defying the law, was ex-
pected.
But il was not expected that these
vultures would become the special nets
OF judges. sherifgs and governors sworn
to observe. enforce and execute the law.
Ii seems. however, that in Opelousas.
La. some Of the officials have had a
very warm feeling for bootlegxers-so
much so that the whiskey heads
thought the prohibition wave would die
out and the temperance people sur
render TO faithleSs officials. Instead Of
that, the lineup OF officials with the
oooueggers brought about the organi-
cation OF "a Law and Order league; and
at meeting a few nights ago this
league passed these resolutions, which
may yet have to be copied in some
counties in Tennessee:
That we view with alarm the com
fused and disordered state of affairs
OF our city and parish. growing out OF
the manifest existence of blind tigers
In our midst, and the efforts which
have been made to suppress these open
violations OF the law.
That We realize the absolute neces-
stty Of the enforcement, without fear
or favor, Of the laws of the state OF
Louisiana, including the Illicit sale of
liquor.
That we now congratulate ana ten
der our heartfelt thanks to those on
GERS Of the law who have sacredly fol-
lowed their oaths OF Office and who
nave, in measure, stayed the hands
OF the lawless. and served US and our
parish from manifested disorder and
disgrace. On the other hand. we can
md no words strong enough to ex-
press our disapprobation and condeu-
nation or those officers who, apparently
Dr. expressly, manifested their sympathy
with the lawbreakers and syildoers.
Ihat this organization stands plefe-
ed to assist the officers OF the law IN /
enforcement OF every law on the stat /
ute books, and to that end we invite /
tne cooperation and assistance of |
every good citizen so that a strong and
healthy public sentiment may be arous- |
ed and fostered in this community"
Sheriff Swords, it seems. rose nm IN /
arms" at the impudence OF the peopIe
n organizing to perform the duties i'm
'osed by the nature OF his Office. ON
ne sheriff In commenting upon his
attitude and upon the resolutions, The
New Orleans Item says:
Ine night that Opelousas makes a
little more conspicuously, for the mo-
nent than the other towns Of the state
the fight that the awakening people
the whole south are waginR for
reedom from dwarfing conceptions Of
,oLitlcs which have bound many of
nem for generation: against unIf-
ensed arrogance i'm public places. tol
Fhich years Of Office tenure have lent
sense or ownership: against any DO
tical theory which declares. assumes
even hints. that public place Is pri-
ate property.
We have no controversy with Sher-
7 Swords, save such as he has thrust
pom us, but we Join the people OF On
iousas In their emphatic protest at
ne Serene Hfghness in which he as
ames TO find grievance in that
ody or law-abiding citizens do NOT
onsuH his wisdom or crfnge for his
erTnisslon when they desire to en-
10Y peaceful agents to search for
reaches or the law Of the land, which
ley regard as nuisance to them
eives and an infringement OF their
ignts under the statutes. Ii is a spirit
mich has no place in a free repub-
c. and the people Of Opelousas do well
refusing to tolerate IL"
The open defiance OF the prohibition
1ws In Alabama brought about more
gld laws. The same conduct on the
art OF onlcials In Louisiana brought
ie resolutions quoted, and this state
lent from the president of the league.
We mean just what we say in fhaI
solutions adopted"
what the future holds for TENNESSEE
J this point remains to be seen.
40 Weilman was luchy-after an