The Raymer enterprise., 1917-08-02
PROHIBITION VS.
PATRIOTISM

and patriotism appear as antagon-
istic to each other is now being at.
tempted by those who are opposed
to prohibition. An article, a re.
print from the North American Re-
view for June is being sent to the
newspapers of the county, in hopes
that it will find place in the coun-
try press.
1t is too long for entire produc-
tion, but here are the six reasons
given as the summary of why pro-
hibition would be unwise. The
articale says:
We do not believe it will be sue
cessful for these seasons: (I) That
the effect in practice would be the
substitution of distilled spirits for
beer and light wines in the face of
the fact that every other country
and every sane person recognizes
that temperance is enhanced by a
reversal OF the process; (2) That
neither wheat nor oats nor rye is
used in the manufacture of beer or
light wines; (3) That barley is
worthless as a food product for
human beings and has little value
for animals; (4) That the barley al
ready planted cannot be supplant-
ed by other grains; (5) That con-
fiscation of property has no war
rant in law, in policy or in morals;
(6) That such legislation has no
standing in reason at this time ex-
cept in so far and only so far as it
may help to win the war.
Reason No. |, has been advanc-
ed by opponents of prohibition for
many years, but state after state
has adapted the policy. Evident
ly the people do not take the arg
ument seriously. That the first ef-
feet of such legislation may be to
decrease the more mild and bulky
matted liquors and substitute the
more condensed and more highly
intoxicating distilled beverages will
probably be admitted by most OBJ
servers, and in that far the legisla-
tion has an opposite effect THAI de-
sired, and is harmful. Prohibition
lists contend that the remedy for
this is more stringent laws and
more severe penalties for law viola
ton, and the tendency of the times
is to accept that view,
Reason No. 2, we assume to be
correct, but rye is supposed to be
used largely in the manufacture of
whiskey Assuming that the rea-
son is true, it does not then iniure
the country or the producer Of those
grains, for it will not effect the use
of those grains to forbid their use
for purposes for which they cannot
be used.
Reasons (3) and (4) may be con-
sidered together. No. 4 will be
conceded, but we believe feeders
and experiment stations agree that
barley is very valuable food for
animals.
No. 5 advances a reason that has
been often considered. and as often
rejected by the courts and by pub
lie opinion. 1t is true that man
should be protected in his invest
ment, just so long as that invest
ment is a useful or harmless indus.
try, but If through abuse OF the
privileges Of this investment, it be-
comes a positive menace to the
people, or if because of grain short.
age it is diverting grain needed for
food to useless but even harmless
channels, it certainly has warrant
in law, In policy and In morals. Ii
it is shown that the diversion is
positively harmful, the reason for
adoption is greatly increased,
AS for No. 6, such legislation
has the same standing now that it
has had at any previous time, and
in addition it has the added reason
that the nation is meeting a requir-
ing that every foolish and vicious