The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-26

resentatives in the Legislature have
enacted because they believed them
selves entrusted with the mandate of
majority of the electors, does not
in fact meet with the approval Of a
majority. Ii does not take very long
for that law TO be repealed.
In a despotic government. where
the citizens are not consulted as to
the enactment Of the laws under
! which they must live, 1t is evident
| that the only sanctions possible for a
law which prohibits the doing of
something not in itself evil. are the
corporal punishments which may he
prescribed by the decree OF the ruler.
If the individual citizen Is convinced
that the doing of certain act is not
in itself immoral, no severity or pun
ishment nor rigor of enforcement will
prevent him from doing that act
whenever he believes he can do so
without being caught. Human nature
being very much the same every
where, he may not care anything
about it until he learns it is forbidden.
and then he will risk his life in its
accomplishment.
1T Is evident. however. that things
are, and should be. different among
a free people. Here through the ac-
ton of our representatives elected by
a aiority of the people, laws are
passed which have more powerful
sanction than any penalty which can
be prescribed by the Legislature
From earliest youth we are taught
to believe that in living under laws
enacted by our representatives We are
in fact living under laws of our own
choosing. The practical necessity for
the minority. for the greatest good Of
the greatest number. to render obe-
dience to these laws until such time
as they are able to win over a ma
jority to their way OF thinking is and
should be recognized BY people of In
telligence.
All Agree As to Evils.
There can be no difference of opin-
great evils of intemperance; that Is
to say. about the abuse of ardent
spirits. 1 take it that all good citi-
zens wish to see the enactment. and
to aid in the enforcement. of laws
which will protect our people from
this as well as from other dangers.
TT is true that honest men may
differ as to the most expedient way OF
accomplishing this end. The prac-
teal question which appeals to my
mind at this time is this: The expert
ment of statutory prohibition has
been enacted by the Legislature upon
qualified voters what ia the duty OF
every good citizen?' Not because OF
the sanctions prescribed by the Legis-
lature. not for the fear OF corporal
punishment nor for the hope of cor
poral regards. but on account of the
fact that / am n free citizen of a self
governing State do I feel under a very
powerful moral sanction to uphold and
defend the constitutional laws OF that
State and to aid with my influence
their enforcement.
THE Legislature which enacted the
prohibition act of Virginia had the
wisdom to postpone the day when 1t
went into effect from March 10 to
November /. During period OF more
than seven months people who had
been engaged in the liquor traffic while
1t was a licensed. and therefore a law
full occupation. were given the oppor-
tunjty to close up their businesses
without pecuniary loss. AS a result,
this great and revolutionary change
was made without the slightest at
tempt being made to violate the law
or to create disorder.
1T is true that many citizens took
advantage of the opportunity, as they
had right to do, to lay in stores OF
liquor for their private use in the
1utuTG, Out Httef NEARLY t~o IIiOhlhS vi
| operation there has been no evidence
that these people have attempted to
abuse this privilege.
Test of Efficacy.
THE real test OF the efficacy of the
sanctions of the law will come when
these stocks of liquor. legally pur-
chased and held for private consump-
ton, have been exhausted. In my
opinion. the history Of our criminal
/ law shows that neither fine nor i'm
| prisonment, neither prohibition COM
missioners nor police will be able, un-
! aided to prevent the fair name Of the
| State OF Virginia from becoming a by
word and repreach because OF the
| violations of the provisions OF this
sumptuary law.
! 1T Is for unofficial citizens such as
! you men here to prevent a result
which all of us should deplore. The
| most powerful instrument for law-en
| forcement Is the power of public opin-
| ion. I am not speaking now so much
| of the opinions Of the pronounced ad-
vocates of prohibition. but of that
| other considerable body of men who
| prior to the enactment OF the law
were opposed to prohibition as a
means OF regulating the liquor traf-
! f1c.
The ultimate success OF this ex-
| pertinent depends. to lar1e extent.
upon the cordial support OF the men
who were opposed to prohibition. l
am not speaking of men who were
personally interested in the traffic. but
| of those citizens. scattered through
| practically every other occupation.
who had no pecuniary interest in the
liquor traffic. but who did not support
| prohibition because they did not be-
Iieve in 1t. l do not hesitate to say
that did not support prohibition. and