Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-11

of hygiene, and that He could not
have been aware Of the effects Of alco-
hol on the anatomy of man. Can you
accept that as reason for changing
the character OF the sacrament?
isn't 1t better to believe that Christ
knew the evils OF intemperance (they
had teetotal societies in His days). and
that He, in His wisdom, made wine
part Of the sacrament In order to show
that the Christian can overcome any
temptation?
Not Fixing Responsibility.
II am fully aware that will be
charged with an attempt to make
Christ responsible for the lawless sa-
loon, but am as fully aware that those
who make the charge know that the
charge Is false.
IT am earnestly asking assistance Of
all good men In putting the lawbreak-
ers out Of the saloon business. have
even gone SO far as to offer my sup
port to movement to put penalty on
the use of liquor in dry territory. If
the people want to abolish the use of
liquor, they have the power to put
themselves on record to that effect.
But the prohibitionists say that such
a law would break down the prohibi-
ton movement. They say that they
prohibition put penalty on the use of
liquor.
THE liquor problem Is not easy to
solve, but there are several establish
ed facts that must be taken into con-
sideration Il any real progress Is to be
made. The prohibitionists admit that
1t is worse than useless to pess laws
that will not be supported by public
sentiment. How can prohibition pro-
hfbit IL those who vote for 1t insist on
purchasing alcoholic liquors?
The only way to prevent violation
Of the letter and spirit of prohibitory
law is to prevent the use Of that which
is prohibited, and It is admitted that
a law to prevent the use of liquor
would neither be favored nor obeyed.
Aims beyond saloon.
This is a phase Of the problem that
cannot be evaded. The Anti-Saloon
league says that fits sole business is to
abolish the saloon, but II Is avowedly
seeking the passage Of laws to prevent
the manufacture, shipment, storage and
sale Of alcoholic beverages, and, there
fore, the only logical conclusion is that
the movement is indirectly against the
use OF liquor. When the movement
has succeeded to the point where It is
apparent to the people generally that
prohibition is intended to deprive them
Of their legal right to use liquor in
moderation, then there will be a revolt
against prohibition that will under
mine the whole movement.
"Why is 1t that the so-calIed temper-
ance advocates hedge on every propo-
sttion? They boot at personal liberty
in regard to the sale OF liquor. They
insist on retaining their personal lib
erty TO use liquor or not, as they see
fit.
They 1aud local option as true
Amertcantsm and demand that the peo-
pie should have the right Of local self
government Having obtained local op-
ton. they demand countrywide. state
Wide. nationwide, worldwide prohibit
ton as means of forcing prohibition
on districts that prefer the legal sale
OF liquor. and thus they repudiate the
very local option on which they made
their foundation.
They claim that prohibition brings
prosperity. and when confronted with
the fact that in one state alone. Ken
lucky, statewide prohibition wouId
mean the destruction Of s67. 600 600
worth or property, the loss of $23. 600.
700 OF revenue to the government
nearly 100000 to the state, and put
10000 men out Of employment, they
say: How can you put up the dollar
against the boy2' They promise that
prohibition will keep liquor away from
the boy and when told that boot.
leggers and blind tigers thrive ON the
trade OF boys, they charge that this Is
ton.
1t Is the same way in this biblical
discussion. They claim that the bibla
is authority for prohibition. when
TOLD OF Christ's attitude, thew crv
olasphemer.' How, long win il take
the consecrated ministry of the conn.
Try TO rise up and rebuke this whining
cheating. boasting and hedging OF of.
nee seekers and political parsons cali.
Ing themselves the church In action
against the saloonr"