Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-23
In Ringing Speech at Bone
Dry Jubilee Calls on People
to Forget Differences

~ W o. ~ ~ S''NOO
An audience of men, women and chill
dren that packed the Atlanta auditorium
Monday night celebrated the onward
march of the prohibition movement with
a grand jubilee unique in temperance
annals.
They celebrated the enactment by con
gress of the famous Reed amendment
prohibiting the shipment of liquor into
dry states, and the expected passage by
congress in the not distant future of
laws prohibiting the manufacture and
sale of intoxicants throughout the United
States
SENATOR HARDWICK SPEAKS
The principal speaker of the evening,
was United States Senator Thomas w.
Hardwick. of Georgia.
Senator Hardwick made plain his po-
sition on the prohibition issue both state
ana national.
Hs declared that the regulation or pro-
hibition of liquor is purely a local ques-
ton to be decided by each state accord
ing to the wishes of it's people; that
states which have enacted laws pro-
hibiting the sale of whisky and its ship
ment into the borders are entitled to
the protection of the federal govern
ment; that holding this belief he voted
for the Reed amendment to the postof
| flee appropriation bill, which amend
ment prohibits the shipment of liquor
| into dry states; that believing prohibit
tion to be a local question which every
state should devide accordingto. its own
views, he is opposed to the enactment
of a national prohibition law.
But speaking of prohibition as a mat
ter of state policy, Senator Hardwick
declared that hereafter men will un-
derstand that they cannot have, lawful
ly at least prohibition on their statute
book and jugs and bottles in their clos
ets-prohibition to talk about and brag
on. but liquor to drink"
In other words, as he expressed IL:
Let us stop at no halfway station Let
US have no more -gallon-a month
prohibition. If the people of Georgia
desire real prohibition and are prepared
TO enforse it. then they are not only en-
titled to have it, but they will have il.
If they do not desire real prohibition-I
Then they ought to have done with sham
and hypocrisy on this question, and the
sooner the better
After thus outlining his view on pro-
hibition. Senator Hardwick discussed in
ternational relations and strongly in
dOrsed President wilson's stand at ev-
cry step in his diplomatic negotiations
His remarks on this subject were as
follows.
ANXIOUS FOR PEACE
"Since the great world war began our
government has been anxious above all
things. or almost all things, to avoid be-
ing drawn into its awful vortex. Our
yha in, OF
and honest effort to maintain strict
and impartial neutrality between the
contending powers. Our most ardent
hope has been that our government
might i'm time be the chosen medium for
the restoration of peace between the I'M
happy combatants and in that way might
earn the blessing promised by the
Saviour of the world by becoming the
"peacemaker" among nations. In order
to maintain its position of neutrality
and of friendship to all, in the earnest
hope that it might realize its cherished
dream and become the peacemaker
among men, our government has at va
rious times submitted to wrongs AMI
endured affrOnts from each of the con-
tending forces that were not easily sub
mitted to or lightly borne by a proud
nation and a self-respecting people.
More than a year ago Germany an
nounced her intention to sink without
warning and without regard TO the loss
Of life. neutral vessels engaged in peace
full and legitimate commerce. i'm strict
accordance with the law of nations. #
such vessels dared to enter a certain pre-
scribed zone OF the high seas This
declaration. n adhered to. amounted TO
nothing more nor less than piracy and
was contrary to every dictate of human
ity and reason, to every law Of God and
man.
AT the urgent. forceful and insistent
demand Of our government Germany
finally withdrew from that position but
i'm the latter part of January of the
present year she reassumed it, announc-
ing her unalterable intention to put that
policy into effect, beginning February l,
1917.
I'm these circumstances our govern
ment. patient and long suffering and
much enduring as il had been, had no
alternative. IT acted promptly and de-
Cisively. and yet without bOmbast or pa
rade. II severed diplomatic relations
with Germany, giving the German ambas-
sador TO this country his passports. and
calling home our ambassador to that
country. IT could do no less 1t cannot
submit to have it's shipping engaged in
peaceful and legitimate commerce on the
high seas captured or destroyed and
its citizens following their loyal and
peaceful pursuits on the seas murdered.
IT cannot submit to these things and re-
tain the respect OF other nations, it's own
self-respect or hope to long remain upon
the map of the world. A government too
cowardly TO protest it's citizens when
clearly without their rights is no.
worthy TO live-and never does.
FACED BY PIRACY
Faced with this arrogant and piratical
position Of Germany our government