Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-23
Victory on Victory!

Once more we open wide our eyes in
amazement at the rapidity with which
the leaven is working. Wednesdays
vote in the National House was a
revelation, and it matters not from
what angle we view 1t. We know the
claim made by one evil faction, that it
has put one over" on another evil
faction; but we note also that evil al
ways accomplishes it's own destruction
when driven to the wall, even as the
snake poisons itself when surrounded
by burs.
We need not assure Kennebec Jour-
nal readers that we are happy over the
bone -dry" vote of 319 to 70. We do
not care to analyze the chain of efforts
that were honest and hopes that were
selfish, which brought it about, for the
ways of Providence are beyond every
day understanding. 1t is sufficient for
us that it is here;
That Uncle Sam has gone out of the
systematic violation of State laws;
That the United States government
has taken the booze interests at their
word-the right of states to rule
themselves, in this case to suppress
evils therein;
That federal service shall no longer
be employed in creating demand" for
an evil traffic;
That the strong hand Of national law
is laid upon the shoulder of an evil
business that has long defied the forces
of progress in many of our common
wealths.
The next step is national prohibition.
Heaven speed the day!
When President Wilson shall have
signed the post Office appropriation bill
the bone dry law becomes operative,
and Boston and other booze advertis
ing newspapers will have to prepare a
Maine edition. minus the booze in
ducements, or stay out.
When this law is in effect the insult
ms vi tiiC DoOLt HAL cidci
houses will no longer be found in the
mail boxes of Names Christian homes
When this bill has executive APP
proval the laws Maine has will be
easily effective; we must no longer
suffer federal contempt
These things, all these and national
nd hn
nal has fought for, daily. for years
For these things, which we foresaw
MUST come. we have borne the taunts
and jeers of those who have seen only
TO the bottom of a glass. And today
we claim the right to rejoice.
The Kennebec Journal was a pioneer
in denunciation of Uncle Sans share
in the booze traffic. The Kennebec
Journal was one of the first to arouse
resentment against the debaucherv of
The mail service in bidding for new
drunkards. When the old X. Us voice
was lifted against the federal govern
-nents arrogant trampling of Names
laws, the utterance was received as
3acrilege-we had violated the sacred
traditions of boozedom, of personal
liberty" of necessary evils, of socia,
idiocy.
But we have lived to see the dav. and
We rejoice. Those who have stood
with us are rejoicing with us, not in
spirit of I-told you-so but in Cod
given thankfulness that an evil has
met its Waterloo.
Now let us move on toward national
prohibition. We must do our part in
saving our brothers from themselves.
Am l my brothers keeper" should
point our duty when we have overcome
our own enemy.
The booze interests whine: "There
are 100000 gallons Of liquor in bond
in the United States and 40 per cent
of this (more than 100000 gallons)
has been sold in partially dry terri
tory. Now all must be sold in wet
territory-probabIy at great loss"
Too bad, too bad This loss of dol
lars to the rum trust is so much
worse than the loss to its purchasers
Of decency. and reason, and hope, and
life! God have mercy on the monsters
who weep for their gold.