The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-03-29

II
rupt politics, seize the reins OF gov.
eminent and defy interference. w,
harangue political issues, denounc,
party corruption, bribery and graft
yet we are unmindful OF the greaI
Monster which silences our reform
crs. dominates our Senate Halls and
deflles the American ballot box
Ours cannot be government Of
the people, by the people, and for
the people," when our laws are
made by Legislators who owe their
allegiance TO the liquor interests.
Men interested in the liquor bust
ness say, keep the saloon out OF
politics" but we will not They have
tried 10 dominate our political
parties and they have largely sue
ceeded. BY legislation only will we
be able to overthrow their power
When Hobson Of Alabama sought Ia
be Senator from his own State, he
was told by the liquor interests that
he must either be content To stay
in the house Of Representatives. or,
stay at home. Governor Hanly. af-
ter refusing 10 serve the liquor in
terests as Chief Executive OF Indi-
ana, was laid upon the political
shelf. Governors Glenn OF North
Carolina. Stubs Of Kansas, Folk Of
Missouri. and Conner Of Alabama,
stood for prohibition and were re-
tired by the liquor power. These
facts illustrate the political power
Of the traffic.
But the American people are
awakening To these facts, and have
decreed that the saloon must go;
that must not only be put down.
but out and forever. Piracy, once
tolerated. no longer exists. The fet-
ters Of human slavery have been
broken for ever. The duel has been
outlawed. the lottery abolished.
is prohibited, and
now the American legalized saloon
must GO. In every civilized country
on the globe the fight is on against
intoxicating liquors. The platform.
the press, the pulpit, and the teach
ers' desk,-all are at the front OF
the ranks in the heat Of the firing
line. All our conventions, both civic
and religious, are declaring against
il.
The abolition Of slavery entailed
n great struggle in arms. The aboli-
ton Of the liquor traffic has now
arisen with mighty pending strug-
gle at the polls, with the American
ballot as the most effective weapon.
mighty army Of the people, stand
ing shoulder to shoulder, the Puri-
tan Of the North along with the
Cavalier Of the South.-men whose
sires fought for the Union, men
whose fathers defended the Stars
and Bars. men who met each other
In deadly combat on such bloody
fields Of strife as Shiloh and Gettys-
burg. have now Joined hands and
forgotten past enmity in their con-
'ecration to the present great cause,
he eradication Of their common
'nemy. the American legalized sa-
Don. The war has already begun
which will never cease until the
'aloon is banished from Portland.
Me- To Honolulu, and from Saint
Augustine TO the Klondike. Society
lees. and even the saloon sees, as
lever before. the fiery finger Of fate
IS il writes the doom Of the traffic !
m the walls Of the Christian Re-
'ublic. As Governor Capper OF /
Kansas has said, Some good people
till doubt that we will have nation
j prohibition: but the liquor people |
do not doubt IT," /
But let us not i'm our successes
orget that the Monster never tires,
ever gives up. Let us not look
ack upon our past achievements
nd fail TO see the mountains yet 10
'e climbed, the battles yet TO be
ought the great problem OF all
roblems yet TO be solved. We
row Indifferent but the liquor in
crest will not: they have pledged
heir lives and their fortunes TO
ght TO the last ditch.
Let us strike il for its physical
uin, its social debauchery. its po-
tical domination, its mental and
loral wreck, and its spiritual doom.
trike for God and home and
ountry until the enemy shall re-
oil from the onslaught. sink under