Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1913-12-29
TO LIQUOR DEALERS - MAKE
YOUR CASE READY FOR
COURT.

]
Liquor Dealers Journal, Septem.
Der 10, 1879
1t is always best for normal people
70 look at things as they are. Reality
may be obscured to the sick or fee.
ble-minded in certain circumstances
but deception is a poor evidence OF
friendship. Partisanship with blinded
eyes only leads the way to ruin, and
self-deception is the worst of all.
Let US look at things as they are
and in face of the enemy dare to
consider and concede his strength
Knowing his plan of battle, we can
better arrange our forces for his de-
feat; rightly estimating his strength,
We can better provide TO meet it.
The prohibition fight henceforth
will be nationwide, and contemplates
writing into the national constitution
a prohibition of the manufacture and
sale OF all alcoholic beverages. To
accomplish this result will require
the ratification of thirty-six out of
the forty-eight states of the Union.
OF these nine are already in line
thr ugh state Maine,
Kansas, North Dakota, Oklahoma,
Mississippi. Georgia, Tennessee, West
Virginia, North Carolina. The last
five have been added within a period
of six years.
In addition to these there are
eighteen states in which a major part
OF the people live in territory made
dry by local option, and in which we
may be assured prohibition sentiment
predominates.
II the people in these states who
are opposed to the liquor traffic de-
mand it, their legislatures will un-
doub-edly ratify a national amend
ment.
The most influential argument
against prohibition is that il is not
effective; that prohibition doesn't
prohibit.
This is not basic or moral. The
fact OF failure to enforce is no ar
gument against even the expediency,
much less against the moral issue
involved.
Ultimately all questions must be
settled by moral standards. Only in
this way can mankind be saved from
self-effacement. The liquor traffic
cannot save itself by declaring that
government is incapable of coping
with the problem it presents; when
the people decided that it must 20,
It will be banished
We are not discussing the benefit
or justice OF prohibition. but it's pos
sibility, and its probability in pres
ent circumstances.
To US there is the handwriting on
the wall" and its Interpretation
spells doom.
VI NAio Nhc iIluOI DuSlutSb IS 10
blame. II seems incapable of learn
ing any lesson of advancement, or
any motive but profit.
To perpetuate itself it has formed
alliances with the slums that repel
all conscientious and patriotic citi-
Zens.
1t deliberately aids the most cor
rupt political powers, and backs with
all Of its resources the most unwor-
thy men, the most corrupt and recre-
ant officials. 1t does not aid the
publication OF municipal, state or ma
tional administration.
Why? Because 1t has to ask i'm
munity for its own lawlessness.
That this condition is inherently
and inevitably necessary we do not
believe. but II has come to be fact,
and the public which is to pass on
the matter in its final analysis believe
anything bad that anybody can tell it
OF the liquor business.
Why? Let the leaders OF the trade
answer.
Other lines OF business may be as
bad or even worse, but it is not SO
plainly in evidence.
The case of the liquor traffic is
called for adjudication by the Amer
lean people and must be ready for
trial
Other Eases may be called later,
but the one before the court cannot
be postponed. But as in the past, the
men most concerned are playing for
postponement. not for acqulttal. Is
II because they fear the weakness OF
their defense that they fear to 20 on
trial?
Looking the facts in the face is
best.
There are billions OF property in
volyed. and an industry OF great en-
ploying and taxpaying ability; but
when the people decided that the
truth is being told about the alco-
holic liquor trade. the money value