The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-02-20

nected with all social and industrial
problems, a question that is no long
er the single issue of a special party,
a question that is receiving the most
earnest thought OF all right-miqded
men and women because II directly
and profoundly affects our living, so
cial and industrial conditions. Year
after year the facts, the stubborn
facts, have made men realize that
the enormous increase in the use OF
liquor is one of the most dangerous,
most insidious evils besetting human
ity, sapping and destroying mans ca
pacity and vitality, weakening and
perverting his moral fiber and resist
ance, and finally bringing ruin to
himself and family. Its influence
does not stay with the individual and
his family. but society and the public
finally suffer the burden and loss
through poverty and crime.
l ask you TO consider this grave
question in no spirit OF fanaticism,
but from the belief that the cool, In
telligent judgment of men engaged In
everyday work and in the biggest
business enterprises, Of women who
have the responsibility Of child life
ard the making of homes, demands
that we now take counsel and deter
mine that both state and nation shall
deal more effectively with this prob
lem to the end that our country may
ultimately rid itself of this evil
Law Should Be Enforced.
Ohio has adopted a method-new
for us-for licensing and regulating
the use of liquor. That law should
be rigidly and impartially enforced; (;
not used for the purpose of building
up a political machine, pandering to
the liquor vote or gratifying any
prejudice. The law should be strength
ened. There should be no trafiicking
in licenses. The public official who
connives with or levies tribute upon
the saloonkeeper is as much OF law
breaker and a menace to the public
as is the saloonkeeper who violates
the law.
BY strict and just enforcement OF
this and the local option laws, and
through their extension as experience
shows needful, we can continue the
development Of a strong, intelligent
public opinion in favor Of temper
ance. Law will not eradicate our ap'
petites, but the restraining influence
of public opinion will help us control
them and subordinate them to the
common good.
Furthermore, the problem is ma
tional one, exactly as is child labor
and other questions affecting the
vital conditions of our people; hence
1t must finally be. dealt with by the
nation. If the nation has not sutii'
cient power under the federal constt
tuition, then we should amend the
constitution. Now do not misunder
stand me, l do not urge an unattain
able idea; this problem will not be
solved easily It is as old as man
kind; so was slavery in 1860; we dc
not know how soon public opinion
will crystalize into action. The ma
JlOu DllOulu AelNC pOhCl W eNN 'AS"
the time does come and should act
with justice. Had the south accepted
Lincoln's suggestion of compensation
for the slaves, the civil war could
have been avoided. Is that not a
2arallel for consideration? Is not now
the time for the mapufacturers OF
liquor to consider this problem with
us?
In ofGer TO put into eject the prlh
ciples we advocate we must have an
effective party organization. Victory
can not be gained by an unorganized
crowd. The campaign of 1912 proved
what organization means. Mp Gar
ford, our next United States senator
from Ohio made a remarkable cam
paign. In those counties where we
were organized we won, in other
counties where we were not we lost;
and that Progressive sentiment did
not change with the county line.
Under the able leadership Of Mr.
Brown our party organization has
been greatly strengthened during the
past and we go into this campaign
with a far more effective working
body of men than ever before. We
will perfect our organization in every
county of the state
Our Republican opponents are much
disturbed because of our organization
leaders, who look upon politics mere
ly as a game, they charge that the
Progressives have made deal with
Governor Cox regarding patronage
The charge is as absurd as 1t is false.
The governor has appointed, upon
the recommendations Of Progressives,
some Progressives to Office. Offices
on bipartisan boards for which Repub.
licans also made application. He also
appointed Republicans, and as to
those places we hear no Republican
complaint Wherever real Progress
sives have been appointed, their abil.
ity and integrity will stand the closest
inspection; they will be found doing
their duty fearlessly and honestly,
but not as side-partners to their Dem
ocratic colleagues or as cogs in the
governors political machine under
guise of bi-partisanship.
The Progressive party in the ma.
tion polled over four million votes, in
Ohio over PIT 900 votes. 1T was call.
ed into being by the conscience OF
the people and was born of the ma.
tion's awakened sense Of Justice"
The reasons for it's existence are
stronger today than when it was ere
ated 1t commands the support OF
right-minded, law-abiding men and