The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-08-10

on the contrary it is wholly disgusting, the difference being that the gut
the grave. although the totals OF the latter are many times the number o.
the former Some races Of people, notably the French, Italians. Germans
Swiss and Bohemians, have already embraced national temperance in the
use of things that mankind drinks, and while We envy them it is pleasant
to state that the national tendency. both in this country and in England,
thanks to modern education in these things is to approach that state OF
temperance That state of temperance seem to consist n a harmless and
moderate use of beer and light wines.
Now. ever should the autocraey of national bone dry prohibition be
inflicted on this country, sooner II later, there need be no fear that i
would persist It would only serve to delay the tendency toward temper
ance' for it would for the time drive people to the ISL Of strong drink
1Icnly produced, and quite available because of the immoral but statu
tory Illegal repressive measures that would bar lighter drinks National
prohibition would be a calamity in ohseuing III fruits OF the education
toward national temperance.
Prohibition. which means restriction Of freedom and the intrusion OF
What some else thinks we should do set up as a government over our
tastes and liberties. is Just a impraoucabe as if some should seek the en-
should not reproduce IN order TO oeneh humanity humanity cannot
be benefited that way; what reforms that come to humanity must come
by degrees more or less swift, but having education a. their basis
With the spread Of education, dissemination concerning disease pre-
vendon, better wages, more heathfdl living conditions, growth Of schools,
lem willard At the present rate. quickly-solve itself. Excess energy
will find other and more healthful outlets and it is reasonable to expect
eventual temperance based N a hFm foundation.
The trouble with prohibition is that instead Of aiding. cooperating.
operating, sympathiNng and understanding human nature that it goes
against it, What the sincere element in the prohibition group-not the
paid hrelngs and grafers- want is what We all desire: the banishing Of
the horrors Of overfndulgence in drink. They are lust as sincere as those
who are fighting tuberculosis. social diseases. or Bights disease. which
results in great measure from overeattng and unwise eating but the greater
majority Of the probibdtioniss labor under misconceptions h rerrt 81
We have a great deal of faith in the American people. in their advance
in knowledge and their conception of liberty. They have shown from time
to time that they are just as willing to oust the serpent influences of liquor
or brewery politics in their system of government when it ntrudes itself
there for sinister purposes as they are to protect their liberties Cetainy
they would resent and fight ny such universal checks as certain prohibt
uonias. Influenced either by hystera or taking advantage of the war
would seek to inhct under the gutse of reform
The best and quickest way for sncere prohtbitoniss to attain that de
gree OF national sobrhty which We will admire is to tackle the problem in
the right way-by getting improved social conditions urging temperance,
and by resortng to methods of education Where temperance ensues pro
hbiaon quickly hnds that its functions are no longer needed. as has been
illustrated in certain European countries.
But to essay national prohibition under present conditions is to 60
against the grain of humanity itself, to set back the cause of temperance
fifty years and possibly bring about serious disturbances. The achieve
ment Of national temperance, which will solve the drink as we'll as the "a
to prohibition with its doctrines unchanged is simply to delay that desir
able state of affairs