The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-03
THE FIGHT IN ALABAMA

Houston Post: The overwhelming de-
feat of the prohibition amendment in
Alabama is a notable triumph for per-
sonal liberty, for the sanctity of the
home against invasion, for good govern
ment and for temperance. AS the
matter now stands. the people of Alabama
are in position to formulate and perfect
rational policy for dealing with the
liquor traffic. Those who have studied
the question know very we'll that prohi-
bition has not proved to be the very
best way to restrain the evils of intem-
perance. and the way is open for them
to enact laws that will reduce the evil to
minimum without strangling the per-
sonal rights of the citizen. : And
the result In Alabama indicates that the
people of that state-no less earnest in
behalf of temperance than we-are going
back to local option after most unsatis-
factory experience of statewide prohibi-
ton.
Louisville Courier-J Journal: Any other
result than the showing under of the
prohibition amendment would have laid
Alabama open to lunacy charge which
1t could not have disproyen. The propo-
sition was that certain safeguards of per-
sonal liberty throughtfully written into
the federal constitution in the amend
ments known as the bill Of rights" and
used as model in state constitution
making, be abolished so that no home
could be secure from invasion by sus-
picious law officers upon a still hunt for
distilled spirits. The proposition was
monstrous 1t was subversive of the
spirit of republican government, the cor
nerstone of which is liberty for the in
dividuai insofar as that liberty does not
interfere with the rights of other indi-
vfduals The adoption of the amend
ment would have struck the locks from
the doors of every mansion and every
humble cottage in Alabama, and the
props from under the good old doctrine
that a mans home is his castle. and all
for the pitiful purpose of rummaging in
the chifronier, tho pantry shelves and the
whatnot to see II there might not be
pint of whisky or a quart Of beer con-
cealed upon the premises!
st. Louis Times: All the real temper
ance influences Sf Alabama organized and
fought vanantly side by side to preserve
the state from the threatening evils which
overhung it. Their triumphant, decisive
| victory Is a tribute to the awakened
saner sentiment of commonwealth
which has learned its lesson through OBJ
| servation Of others. Missouri shouid take
| heed of the results obtained in Ala
bana and of the methods which promoted
! them. The contest in this state soon
viii be on. with the prohibittonists It
| Is on already.
The south is getting irner hold on
the refns of commerce. every day, and IN
many sections there is growing sent-
ment In the direction of temperance as
distinguished from prohibition. The ex-
| treme liquor legislation has been a par
/ tial or total failure in nearly every south
| ern county where 1t has been tried. just
| AZ It has been throughout Maine ana
| Kansas. and in other states where prohio-
! itory legislation has been conspicuous
| failure.
!! Huntsville Courier-Journalt The farmer
1 vote of Alabama fell like ton of brick
! upon the amendment designed to smash
| the bin of rights for the benent OF the
| fanatic prohibitionists The farm houses
| Of Alabama, like the feudai castles Of the
| middle ages. remain the stronEhosds OF
their owners; not the stamping ground
Of prying police and deputy sherins ana
| detectives.
Memphis Commercial-Appeal: the vote
Of yesterday was rebuke to Comerism
ana the Wild agitation in Alabama against
every man that has g.
1t is rebuke to self-seei<ing politicians
| who. In their eagerness for office, are
| willing to make an article of faith on any
sort Of prejudice or hysteria.
II is also rebuke to many Alabama
prea chers. who for two months abandoned