The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-11-23

Prohibition. We cannot serve two
masters. America must come first II
we are loyal.
Any institution that gives aid and
comfort to the enemy in time of war
is traitor TO the country. The liq
uor traffic, which has financed and
backed the German Alliance cannot
claim the support of patriots because
of their disloyal conduct.
Liquor a Corrupter of Politics
Liquor Is equally a menace to an
other essential of democracy-clean
politics. The liquor traffic Is organized
as national force to control Con-
gressmen, Senators and other officers.
The evidence in the Pittsburgh inves-
tigation showed they collected fabu-
lous sums in the state of Pennsylvania
to carry out its purpose and then
stole from the government in false
revenue returns enough to reimburse
them, piling crime on crime. The
same practice prevailed in Texas, as
the court records show. No wonder
that Governor Ferguson, chief advo-
cate of the liquor traffic, was recently
impeached. No wonder that Philadel-
phia politics are rotten. Clean poll
tics, an essential to successful democ-
racy, has no more chance that rab-
bit in dog kennel while the saloon
and breweries control.
The Lawless Character of the Traffic
Requires National Prohibition
The liquor traffic is inherently law
less. 1t refuses to obey any regula-
tory or prohibitory law and it con-
centrates its power in wet states to
break down the law in other states
where an honest attempt is made to
secure its enforcement. 1t corrupts
law enforcement officials and pledges
them in advance to violate their oath
of Office. No state is safe as long as
that lawless traffic is harbored in
single commonwealth of the Union.
A traffic that will not be regulated
or controlled must be destroyed if the
government is to fulfill its mission.
The Logic of Progress Demands Ma
tional Prohibition
The progress of truth is absolutely
irresistible. II is the hope of our re-
public The license system, under the
searchlight OF truth, has proven dis
NAL failure as remedy for the liquor
evil. Drunkenness, vice and crime,
and speakeasies, have increased and
flourished under it. Prohibition has
been tried and is a success. Under
it the health, wealth and happiness of
the people have increased. Twenty
six states have adopted it; $4,000 viii
lagos and cities have banished the sa-
loon; over $500 counties are saloon
less; over 81 per cent of the nation is
dry, and over 90 per cent of the peo-
pie have adopted Prohibition as the
best governmental policy. This prog
ress will not stop; civil conditions
cannot remain stationary. They will
advance or retreat. The liquor traffic
fights every inch of progress whether
it be regulation, restriction, Prohibi-
ton or law enforcement. There can
be no compromise between the two
forces which are fighting for mastery.
II Is fight to the finish and the goal
of the winning forces is national con-
stitutional Prohibition.
The Purpose of the Federal Govern
ment Requires the Adoption of
National Prohibition
One of the fundamental purposes
found in the Constitution of the fed
eral government is ito promote the
general welfare" The courts tell us
that this means to protect public
health and public morals. The liquor
traffic undermines or destroys both.
If the safeguarding of the health and
morals is essential to the perpetuity
OF the government, as it is, and If the
liquor traffic is menace to these es-
sentials of government, how can we
be loyal to the government and help
carry out its fundamental purpose, if
we foster, protect and encourage this
crime producing, drunkard making
business in the United Statesf