The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-08-13
ARGUMENT AGAINST
 PROHIBITION
Strong Document Upon the
 Subject by Phoebe W. x COuZinS

revolutionary fathers had been told after seven years of bloody struggles for freedom of the human race. over
 the despots of the ages, which re-
 suited in the establishment of a ma
 tion with constitution for guidance and
 protection of all it's citizens not only of their age, but for further genera
 t1onS, that within a period of 130 years
 there would come a time to this bless
 ed republic when self government by
 the individual would be denied, and
 sumptuary enactments of one class of
 its citizens over the eating and drink
 ing of the other class, could be actual
 ly framed into law and forced into spublic prohibition, while the safe guards over property in its constitu-
 tion, and the 'ex post facto' clause
 which forbids a reversionary applica-
 tion, to those who have hitherto been
 recognized as within the protection of
 it's sovereign inhibition, would be cast
 aside, and confiscation of millions of
 valuable property, without legal pro-
 cess of compensation, the owners thereof outlawed and estates penal ized, as of criminal origin swould be per
 mitted and applauded, the founders of
 our liberties might have lost courage and heart and our rich inheritance shorn of much of it's strength.
 And If on the other hand, these same patriots had been further told that European countries, wherein monarchical systems prevail. in our
 
 problem of self-restraint in temperate living by a dual system of strict sur veillance of the government over the purveyor and purchaser alike, and of the mandates of this rule, yielded without evasion or contention, their belief in the continued and onward growth of a Republic whose founda- tions they were striving to cement in
 broad and lasting corner stones, | might have been severely shaken. Why this anomaly of a republic un- able to properly guard and restrain one of it's important arms of com merce and trade. which yields a. reve- nue of one third of the taxes-which from the time when our Nation was in the throes of financial rehabll1ta-
 ton after the struggle Ior liberty. at the suggestion of the first Secretary of the Treasury, was recognized as an important feeder and mainstay for
 the security of Americas debts and
 the citizen is a subject and must
 yield his personality to tie control Of
 monarchs and aristocracies, the appe- tites 'en masse' are SO directed as 10 be the source of pleasure, of profit. and of protection to the individual and government alike
 Whence this humiliating compari- son? From the simple and underly- rope compel strict obedience to the laws which are formulated for the good of all, purity in viands> and drinks, and wise. supervision or the minutest detail in the centres of dis tribution, which if violated in the smallest fraction, brings punishment. so dire and complete as to forever place the ban both of business, by the lows, on the sinner. Treating, such as has become the scandal and disgrace of this country, would not be allowed in any of the civilized centres of Es1-
 ,>% drink to get drunk, he takes his plea sures in the splendid gardens and res-l taurants, abundantly provided on ev- cry hand, with his family and friends CTS, good fellowship and the camara- derie of contact with Nature and his kind, in discussion of grave problems in art, science, literature and govern ment He pays for his own drink and sips it slowly and quietly, surround ed by those influences which are calcu- lated to uplift and ennoble and goes home sober with his family-not drunken lout.
 You may traverse the continent, from one end to the other. and never encounter an intoxicated native-the sole exhibit of this indecency, if per chance he shows himself, is always from America or England.
 1t was my good fortune to be guest at the reception given the Vienna ] Saengerbund the finest body of sing CTS Tn the WOrlQ, Dy the CnOTdI SOCleIfSS of Washington. Their physiques were as remarkable and commanded like admiration, as did the composite voice which sang as unit. in com birth their staple liquid food of wine and beer testified to brawn and brain beneficence, when used in moderation
 From my coigne of vantage, I watched the various types in their enjoymen of the Inequalities of a gen erOllS buffet
 The Austrians mixed their food and drinks, with slow gustatory relish as they received or gave a toast, sing ing a line, or shouting a familiar text from their poetic authors. The Ger mans, likewise, though less deliberate while the Americans, but few in num- ber. consumed more liquids than their presence warranted, and drank as if their last chance at the flow ing bowl was limited to the occa- sion.
 On the other hand, if the Govern ment is strict in it's enforcement of even the minutiae of protection, stern and inf1exible over the habits of it's subjects, so too, these sturdy yeo- manry are equally potential in protect ing their privileges and rights.
 In Munich, Bavaria, many years ago, the brewers had the temerity to advance the price of beer Hc on were wrecked and the others put up the white flag forthwith. You can get in Munich today, quart of the finest and purest beer, with radish, cheese and bread, and a fine concert thrown in, for less than 10 cents of American money and it would be a brave monarch or purveyor who should attempt to curtail the personal lib- | erty or privilege of these sturdy pa irons; and yet America witnesses | Governors of States and those in au- | thority in the municipalities. issuing | edictS on even the citizens right to | of I,sc I,r>v~ to his habits therein, which would | call for riot on an Emperor's palace | within AS hours, if perpetrated across | the seas.
 Moreover these wise reciprocity laws | from over the seas, recognize the fact | of human nature, which our Prohibi- ton enactments with their confisca- tory evils do not.