Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-02-07

retired from office in deserved disgrace.
Where the cause of prohibition has
suffered any backset the reason for its
loss of popularity has in most cases
been found in the want of character in
the men set for the enforcement of the
law And the people will not stand this
sort of official perfidy always. The wis
est friends of prohibition have sought
to separate the question from personal
politics; but they will not submit to
have the will of the people, fairly ex-
pressed, willfully and wantonly set
aside by once holders who do not sym
rathize with the cause of prohibition.
1t would be unfortunate to have the
issue involved IN personal politics, but
the foes of prohibition will have them
selves to thank If such a state of things
should come TO pass. They can hardly ex-
pect people to suffer In silence the defeat
OF the popular will simply because they
happen not to agree to 1t. No class IN
this country can be allowed to veto the
will of the majority lawfully expressed
upon a matter that under our form OF
constitutional government is left to the
majority to determine. A few may
esteem the majority as a body OF mis-
guided fanatics, but that few can not by
such an assumption of superior wisdom
acquire the right to put their Judgment
in place of laws constitutionally enacted.
No man among us who Is capable OF
forming an intelligent opinion doubts
that where prohibition has been enforced
IL has wrought most blessed results OF
both a material and moral nature. II
has failed only where II has failed OF
honest and fair enforcement, It would
seem. therefore, that 1t is not the prohi-
bition law which should be repealed
but the unfaithful officers that should
be removed No law on the statute book
will enforce itself.
And why should any man dennunce the
prohibitionists as fanatics. and have
not a word of condemnation for the per-
fured officials who refuse to enforce the
law or the lawless renegades who under
take to defy it7
With the fewest possible exceptions
the men who are most energetic In their
denunciations Of prohibition are men
who wish to drink or who desire to sell
Intoxicating beverages. Their motives are
manifest If their personal relation to
the issue were different, they would &C
cept without question the principle OF
prohibition In fact they contend for
the principle of prohibition In the SUBJ
stitutes which they propose for the pro-
hibitory statutes which they would have
repealed. They can not escape the prin-
ciple of prohibition without taking a po-
sition on the liquor question shocking
to themselves and revolving even TO the
immoral and vicious classes.
There is no middle ground. The liquor
traffick is or is not, a legitimate traf-
fick. If II is legitimate, 1t should be
treated and taxed like all other forms
of legitimate merchandise. II II is not
legitimate, the state should not stop with
halfway measures IL II Is illegitimate,
II should be suppressed with a firm,
strong hand.
The cry of 'prohibition does not pro-
hiblt' is the voice of anarchy by which
the liquor traffiek tells the state that
It will nullify laws inimical to It's in
terests. That kind of thing can not be
tolerated In this country unless the peo-
pie are willing to allow the liquor In
terests to dictate the statutes by which
they are controlled
But the most ridiculous Of all proposals
is that of the governor OF Alabama.
who would create sort of aristocracy
among intoxieants that the law would
allow, while all lower grades would be
outlawed Such prohibition WOULD de-
pend upon the whims of the official
tasters or the DEGREES of the official
analysts We want no such prohibition
In Georgia. and IL may be doubted II
the people of Alabama desire such a
Vi kAOHAbAtANA.
We In Georgia may take warning from
what going on In Alabama. The brew
ers and distillers are hghting pfohihi-
ton by states. If they can win In one
state the victory viii help them In the
next commonwealth. They will clanoT
for local option in order to get statutory
prohibition repealed. and II they can ser
cure local option. they will hght for
open saloons in every locality where
there is a ghost of chance for them
to win. What they want Is to sell
LIQUOR wherever they can find a buyer.
They would repeal. If they could every
Sunday law. every law forbidding the
sale of liquors on election days, every
statute protecting churches and sehool-
houses from the invasion of saloons, and
all laws against the sale of liquors to
minors.t Give them an inch and they
will take an ell. 1t Is well. therefore,
to give them to understand that the
principle Of prohibition Is unavoidable,
and that in its enforcement we do not
propose to go backward, but to go for
ward