El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-01-02

the shifting fortunes of war on the western 'front.' the
= coming Of Santa Claus and other things looming
big IN lie Just at this time have not given the atten-
ton 1t deserved, possibly, TO matter Of great moment
which the nation must soon decide That IS the prohbi-
ton question
Congress the other day. without creating any great
fuore ordered that within seven years we must decide II
we are to be dry" wet" nation At any other
time such action would have split the country IN argu
ent filled the columns Of the papers and afforded the
principal topic Of conversation at every gathering social
business We accustomed big things, however,
that scarcely caused ripple upon the Of everyday
life Nobody IS paying much attention 70 Of the most
important steps taken by this nation since 1t became
nation
There IS earnest discussion of the proposal in
quarters but the public generally has not been aroused
not involved and IS these questions that are now
being considered where the matter has attracted attention
enough to discussion. Whether the campaign VIII
go on with as much ethary as II has started noDooy can
forecast but the truth there very little apparent IN
erest present IN the matter Whether the voters viii
view It involving greater things than whether the
who oppose the Hdry" amendment attempting show
that it is but the first step to wTest the majority rule from
the people and force the majority Of Americans to submit
TO the viii of less than half the population.
Regardless of the public interest being evidenced the
ndlleI o. naI4On Tlue y d ols 800
the American people and at any other time than this would
be causing much discussion is the biggest issue the
country has been asked to face since the settlement Of the
slavery question
There axe men as sincere as any man could be, who
antiprohbitonsts because they believe prohibition IS
curtailment Of inalieuable rights limitation of per
sonaI liberties These men, If the majority of the
people of the country voted for prohibition, would still be
uncouvinced But this does not touch the point that
minority can, by federal constitutional amendment enact
prohibition and that what IS possible with prohibition IS
possible with issues even more revolutionary.
There others who believe sincerely that prohibition
the great question that must be settled permanently
by crushing the liquor business before the nation se
its greatest heights IN accomplishment and morals The
issue IS up to the people and must be settled It IS IN
teresng therefore to note the discussions that have been
Turning to the charge that prohibition by the federal
H1 of
of the states, but method of imposing the will Of the
minority Of the population upon the majority, The New
York Evening Post continues:
that was submitting the amendment. In the senate,
OF course, the states Of great population have
more votes than those OF meager. The vote OF one
man IN Nevada Is potent that Of a hundred in
New York. Butsthat IS inherent in the original com
promise by which the adoption Of the constitution
was made possible. It applies to all kinds Of
gressional legislation. IN the house, however, Popu
ation has its due voice and weight. But what were
the representatives OF the populOus states doing yes
terday2 That the time for them TO sand fast
They could easily have Detected Ike amendment. IN
fact however, the majority Of them voted for It.
Take the four big population states OF New York,
Pennsylvania Ohio and Illinois Together they have
12e representatives OF these, only SO voted against
The amendment. New York, alone could have de-
feated the amendment If It had gone solidly against
It. So could either Pennsylvania, Ohio Illinois.
The representation by population spoke and It spoke
for the amendment. Af-er this It ought be
possible to assert that 1t was the mining camp and
sage brush aud pine barren states that forced the
own representatives, responsible for not prevent
ing what their constituents said TO dislike and
dread.
Col Henry WatteIsOu's Louisville Courier ourna which
always turned its batteries against the prohibition
invasion Of personal liberty attributes the
action Of congress in this matter he persistence Of the
fanatics the bgoTy Of the pharisees the stiffness Of
politicians the readiness OF the average congress
get nd of troublesome problem by passing It to
somebody else all finding conditions suitable TO their ends
the which makes possible much that otherwise would
be impossible; and It goes on 10 say:
It IS thus that IN the midst Of which we are
fighting for democracy the world demo
cratic representatives. in motion the machinery
throttle democracy at home, and the country is
showed into q long struggle which, If 1t shall end
those responsible for 1t 1t shall end, viii deny
A minority Of social sovereign states the
shadow Of sovereignty, forcing upon them and their
people the bonds Of slavery despotic any that
would be placed upon the conquered victims by the
autccrat Of Potsdam, whose tyranny are fighting
The New York World also denounces what It calls "a
leady assault upon the basic principles Of the republic
For the purpose OF this amendment, it says
Is 10 subject more than half of the people Of the