Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-01-09
FOR PROHIBITION.

FOR PROHIBITION.
As we have taken occasion to explain,
IN former issue. after the statement
made by Hon. Hebcr j. Grant in the
News" regarding the meaning and
purport OF the resolution adopted by
tho October Conference. there should be
no doubt that q pledged the church
for the voting at the Conference was
an official declaration by the church
20 the support Of the anti-saloon
league On is effort TO secure prohibi-
ton.
As Hon. Heber j.. Grant observes, he
presented the resolution; he knew what
he meant when he presented e.. and he
knew les meaning was thoroughly un-
dorstood by the general authorities Of
the Church who permitted and endorsed
lis presentation. He Furthermore secs
no reason why anybody else could be
ia doubt az to the purport and extent
OF the action then and there takon.
lie Is quite correct in This for II the
English language is capable Of a more
positive and more explicit definition
than his OF an attitude on grave pub
he question. the words with which to
clothe IL are at least not In very com
mon or familiar use
Il is gratifying 10 be able thus plain-
ly 10 view the question, stripped Of
techn,cality. unobscured by perslhage,
aud defined beyond the need OF further
private Interpretation. Those who sup
ported that resolution pledged them
selves TO prohibltion-noth less; and
IL IS a pleasure to believe that few OF
them. II any. either misunderstood or
regret the fun extent and significance
OF their vote. The issue Is accordingly
specific and unmistakable. Il Is not
high license or low license, Il is not local
option. II Is a declaration OF unrelent-
ing war against the saloon and its hide
GUS train OF evils and its supporters
wish Il distinctly understood here and
now that they are in the campaign for
fight TO a finish, and that their coli
ors are nailed TO the mast.
Why. indeed should not this be the
position and the feeling Of every friend
OF temperance and Of good order? IL
people are opposed 10 the liquor traffic,
this is the time and the opportunity TO
make their opposition effective. The sale
and consumption Of liquor is either an
evil or il Is a benefit. This proposition
admits Of an extended argument. IL a
benefit. II should be encouraged, not
combatted. II an evil e should be re-
sisted by law and sentiment and not
only curtailed but exterminated. Law
abiding communities do not palter or
compromise with recognized wrongs. II
horse-stealing or embezzlement or muir
der IS "a crime. laws are not framed 10
provide that a certain number OF horses
may be stolen with impunlty or that
On consideration Of share OF the
plumber by way OF license, embezzle-
ment may be made respectable, or that
murderer may 20 scot free because
IN his Immediate locality human life is
held On light esteem Similarly II the
liquor business is au evil subsisting
upon the wrecked homes and the ruined
lives OF its victims, it should meet in
every aspect and from every standpoint
the united aud determined opposition OF
the friends OF law and order every
where. II la itself it rs destructive OF
health. prosperity and happiness I'm
those who are under its Influence how
r....
the moment che license, whether high
or low. Is paid into the public treasury
D. o. the less uoisome eyl because
the doors through which its slaves pass
or the bars over which they buy be-
sual lusensibIlty are limited aF 20
number or locauou2 or can those who
are strong enough 20 stamp the eyu
out of their own nolghborhoods be cone
tent with a citizenship 90 selfish as 20
refuse Co help others TO rId themselves
of 90 alsof
80. BE- the conflict has to boz wagcd rae
all-and unless the liquor interests SUR
render o. surely will have Co be-let n
Do Tor mo- so-callod halfway remedy.
let n be- for something more than an
impoteut and unholy compromise uu-
dor form of law. with thls great enemy
of mankind Those who advocate high
license Hs "a means of restraining an
eNl which they anoct t0 abh0r cannot
consistently deny ail ln the effort 90
eradicate BE- entirely Those who argue
flr the plan of local option. ou the plea
chat Boo communities whore "a possible
majority still desire whisky making
or whisky selling that degenerate mae
iodty probably ought to boz humored
m thelr deseneacY niI scarcely hc so
unpatriotIc aud inhuman as to leave
The respectable element at me mercy
of che drink demon. Those who strong
ly assert their personal belief m pro-
mbition but entertain doubts as 10 ~