The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-02

| when a child Is born in Germany
the government sends the mother a
card calling attention to the nature
and effects of alcohol. When a child
enters a school in Berlin the govern
ments sends the parents, by the child,
a pamphlet setting forth the evils re-
sulting from alcoholic beverages.
"Since the outbreak of the war now
raging in Europe the German govern
ment has closed down the breweries
throughout the empire, and has pro-
mulgated drastic measures Tor prom
bition in the eastern war zone.
In France.
France has prohibited the manu-
facture and sale of absinthe and other
distilled liquors.
In England.
The leading statesman of Great Bril-
tain has declared that the liquor traf-
hc is a more dangerous enemy to Eng
land than Germany and Austria COM
bined. and q law has been passed en-
towering the government to restrict
the sale of Intoxicating liquors.
| In Russia.
! The Russian government has pro-
hibited the manufacture and sale of
Ivodka-the national drink--notwith-
standing the loss of $500, 100000 of
revenue. which II has derived annually
from this traffic
Work Vet to he Done.
A consideration of the wonderful
success achieved by the temperance ad-
vocates throughout the world should
cause us TO thank God and take fresh
courage for the performance of the
tasks that awaits US.
/ In the Nation.
The campaign for nationwide pro-
hibition which has had so suspicious
a beginning. must be pushed with ever
increasing vigor to successful issue
| The Hobson resolution will he rein
troduced at the next session of Con-
gress. and our national leaders feel
that they have good reason TO believe
that ii will then prevail
Next 1t will be necessary TO secure
the ratification of prohibition amend
ment by the legislatures of three
fourths of the States of the Union.
Whether we shall have to wait many
years or few for this much desired
contamination depends in no slight de-
gree upon the course OF events in the
near future within the borders of the
prohibition States. Prohibition does
not prohibit" is one of the great buga-
boos with which the organized liquor
interests are wont to terrify the timid
voter. 1t might be well to ask is
there In existence any law. either hu-
man or divine, that does prohibit? Let
those, who, like the rich man of the
parable, lift up their eyes, being in
torment, answer as to the latter--the
inmates of the reformatories, jails and
penitentiaries as to the former.
When II becomes known that prohi-
bition laws are being rigidly enforced
that the violators of these laws are
unfailingly punished--we need give
ourselves no concern as to whether or
not prohibition really does prohibit;
and many States, now hating between
two opinions-their doubts resolved by
the object lesson we have given them.
will soon swell the ranks of prohibit
ton.
While we are bending our energies
to the accomplishment of this end we
should in every way possible cooperate
with our national leaders in their eff
forts looking to the immediate better
ment of existing conditions.
They propose to ask Congress to re-
llieve the situation by giving us bet
ter shipping laws, and steps have al
Y ready been taken to secure the evclu-
g sion of all liquor advertisements and
8 solicitors from the United States mails
: The liquor traffic is admitted by all
: to be an evil-the opponents of prohi-
n bition favor a restriction of the traf-
g fc-these two measures would con-
Q tribute to its restriction to a marked
r degree-it would seem therefore that
n we may reasonably expect the "wets"
= TO unite with us in petition to Con-
n gress for their immediate enactment
d Much Yet 10 be Done.
= In our own State much remains to be
done before the will of the people as
expressed at the polls on the 22d of
= last September can be carried out
d The State Anti-Saloon League at
Il Its Norfolk convention, instructed it's
: executive committee to make a careful
: study of all existing prohibition laws.
= and charged 1t with the duty of franz
Is ing-in the light of this investigation.
and in cooperation with our leaders
= in the General Assembly, prohibition
e law for Virginia which shall be, as
e. nearly faSsa p@soiDaS,r TFoGlel-e-a law
N which shall be able to stand the test
& of the courts, and shaft, at the same
= time. be free from loopholes through
r which those who would evade 1t may
IS slip at will.
: In order that such a law may be
:, enacted 1t Is absolutely necessary that
= our representatives In both branches
: OF our General Assembly shall be men
n who favor prohibition from conviction,
4 rather than men who will promise
n to vote for prohibition law out Of
e Difference to the wishes OF their con-
n stituents. while at heart they are op-
- posed to II.
With House and Senate not hearth
g ~ in sympathy with the movement a
!. really adequate law would be so
Il loaded down with amendments that its
@ effectiveness would be destroyed
e. Must BE Rfgidly Enforced.
nj An effective prohibition law having
- been framed and enacted 1t can be of
Y but little use to the State or her citi-
e Gems unless 1t Is rigidly enforced. To
& that end 1t will be necessary for the
!. advocates of prohibition to create, slim
n ulate and propagate throughout our
: Commonwealth strong. healthy SEN
f timent that will tolerate nothing short
8 OF rigid enforcement of the will of
= the people as expressed In this law.
: Recognizing our indebtedness to the
d Anti-Saloon League. and other organi-
: cations cooperating with 1t, for the
d success already achieved in our fight
{ against the licensed saloon, and realiz-
ing that we must look to them for
n leadership IL we hope to bring this con-
8 nict to successful issue
L Resolved. L. That we heartily COM
s mend them for the splendid work they
n have already done.
n 2. That we renew our cordial inyf-
: tation to them to occupy our pulpits
t and lay before our people the needs of
a the cause.
~ g. That we pYadpa fha,,s c,,r .,,o.,n..