The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-12-26
MAKE YOUR CASE
READY FOR COURT
Leading Editorial in the National Lii
quor Dealers Journal September
10, 1918, under the caption ITO Ii
quor Dealers, Make Your Case Ready
for Court -

It is always best for normal people to
look at things as they are, reality may be
obscured to the sick or feeble minded in
certain circumstances but deception is &
poor evidence of friendship, partisanshiT
with blinded eyes only leads the way tc
ruin, and self-deception is the worst oi
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 defeat, rightly estimating
his strength we can better provide tc
meet it.
The Prohibition fight henceforth will
be nationwide; and contemplates writ
ing into the national constitution a pro-
hibition 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
through state Prohibition-Maine, Kan
as, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Mississip-
pi Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina,
West Virginia. The last five have been
added within period of six years.
In addition to these there are eighteen
states in which a major part ofthe people
live in territory made dry by local option
and in which we may be assured Prohib-
ition sentiment predominates.
If the people in these states who are
opposed to the liquor traffic demand it,
their legislatures will undoubtedly ratity
a national amendment.
The most influential argument against
Prohibition is that it is not effective; that
Prohibition don't prohibit"
This is not basic or moral, the fact OF
failure to enforce is no argument against
even the expediency, much less against
the moral issue involved.
Ultimately all questions must be set
tied by moral standards; only in this way
can mankind be saved from self-efface-
ment. The liquor traffic cannot save
itself by declaring that government is
incapable of coping with the problem it
presents when the people decide that 1t
must go, it will be banished.
We are not discussing the benefit or
justice of Prohibition; but its possibility,
and its probability in present circum'
stances.
To us there is, The handwriting on
the wall A." and its Interpretation spells
doom.
For this the liquor business is to blame
it seems incapable of learning any lesson
of advancement, or any motive but profit.
To perpetuate itself, it has formed al
liances with slums that repel all conscien.
tious and patriotic citizens.
1t deliberately aids the most corrupt
political powers, and backs with all of it
resources the most unworthy men, the
most corrupt and recreant officials. 1t
does not aid the publication of munich
pal, state or national administration
Why? Because it has to ask immunity
for its own lawlessness.
That this condition is inherently and
necessary we do not believe,
but it has come to be fact and the pub
lie which is to pass on the matter in its
final analysis, believe anything bad that
anybody can tell it of the liquor bust
ness.
Why? Let the leaders of the trade I
I
Other lines of business may be as bad I
Or even worse, but it is not so plainly in !
evidence. :
The case of the liquor traffic is called a
for adjudication by the American people |
and must be ready for trial.
Other cases may be called later, but :
the one before the court cannot be pos
poned. But as in the past, the men most
are playing for posponement,
not for acquittal.. Is it because they
fear the weakness of their defense that
they fear to go on trial?
Looking the facts in the face is best.
There are billions of property involved
md an industry of great employing and f
ability; but when the people F
lecide that the truth is being told about l
he alcoholic liquor trade, the money =,
,alue will not count, for conscience arous- u
I'd puts the value of man above all S
hings. Fl
The writer believes that Prohibition is 0
theoretically wrong, but he knows that r
heories however we'll substantiated, may u
,e overthrown by conditions, as has often v
,een done in the world history. =
In this country we have recently swept g
side one of the fundamental theories of
he trainers of our constitution in going
rom representative to direct government,
We are on the verge of universal instead
# male suffrage, and there is spirit h
broad which recks little of tradition, of
,recedent, or of vested rights; and of Z
berty used licentiously and destructive !, y
= it will work short shift. "
Prepare the defense friends, make
our case ready for court, the trial can al
ot be posponed n
Valuable Lot at Public Sale
Will offer at public sale. to the highest .
ldder. my lot on Market street, south OF
le Courthouse, and adjoining Oddfellows IL
EN- pie, IN Oelina, on Saturday. december G
N ]