Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1913-12-24
FOR NATIONAL PROHIBITION.
Remarkable Statement Made Rela-
tive to the Future of Liquor.

we learn that it's authorship Is ac-
credited to one of the leaders Of the
whiskey interests and published in
the official organ Of the dstillers of
this nation. We quote:
"A truthful statement of how mat
ters Stand publicly on the great
liquor question: look at things as
they are--is always in order.
1T is always best for normal peo-
pie to look at things as they are.
Reality may be obscured to the sick
or feebe-minded in certain circum-
stances, but deception is a poor evil
dence OF friendship. Partisanship
with blinded eye only leads the way
to ruin, and self-deception is the
worst of all.
Let us look at things as they are,
and in the face of the enemy dare to
consider and concede their strength.
Knowing his play 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 contem-
plates writing into the national con-
stitution prohibition Of the manufac-
ture and sale oil alcoholic beverages.
To accomplish this result will require
the ratification of thirty-siX out OF the
forty-eight States in the Union.
MI OH in
through State rohibition-Maine,
Kansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma,
Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee,
North Dakota and West Virginia.
The last five have been added within
period OF six years.
I'm addition to these there are
eighteen States in which a major
part Of the people live in territory
made dry by local option in which
we may be assured prohibition senti-
ment predominates.
"If the people in these States who
are opposed to the liquor traffic de-
mand it their Legislature will un-
doubtedly ratify a national amend
ment.
The most influential argument
against prohibition is that it is not
effective; that prohibition don't pro-,
hibit.'
This is not basic or moral; the
fact Of failure to enforce is no argu-
meat aBa'U., thJ CHpeditucy. much
'"~s gairst the MORAL issue involved.
'U' nataly an questions must DO
sclul>l ~ ~oraf at@G5arus, only in
TINS Hay can mankluu De saved from
self-effaceneni. The liquor traffic
cannot save itself by declaring that
government is incapable Of coping
with the problem it PRESENTS; when
the people decide it must go it will
be banished
I'VE are not discussing the benefit
or justice Of prohibition, but it's pos
sibility and probability in present
| circumstances.
''To us there is the handwriting
on the wall and it's Interpretation
means doom.
For this the liquor business is to
| blame; it seems incapable Of learn
ing any lesson Of advancement or
any motive but profit.
ITO perpetuate itself it has form
ed alliance with the slums that repel
all conscientious and patriotic citi-
zens
| 1T deliberately aids the most cor
rupt political powers, and backs
with all it's resources the most un-
worthy men, the most corrupt and
recreant officials. 1t does not aid
the publication Of municipal, State
or national administration.
"Why? Because it has to ask i'm
munity for its own lawlessness.
THAT this condition is inherently
and inevitably necessary we do not
believe, but it has come to be a fact,
and the public, which is to pass on
the matter in it's final analysis, be-
lieves anything bad that anybody can
tel! il Of the liquor business.
"Why? Let all the leaders Of the
trade answer.
"Other lines Of business may be
as bad or even worse, but it is not 80
plainly in evidence.
"The case Of the liquor traffic is
called for adjudication by the
American people, and must be ready
for trial.
"Other cases may De called later,
but the one before the court now