The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1918-02-15
MUST NOT NEGLECT OWN
LOCAL CAMPAIGNS
Drives for Statewide Prohibition
and Ratification Should Go
On Vigorously as Ever;
Nothing to Lose
IT'S UP TO THE PEOPLE
Even Temporary Closing of Sa-
looms Will Be of Benefit in Eff
forts to Bring About Per-
manent Prohibition

In the fight for Prohibition Of the
liquor traffic in America as war
measure, the drys should not lose
sight, for a moment, of other endeav-
ors in which they are engaged.
A number of states will vote in No
vcmber on the issue of statewide Pro-
Ambition. Others will elect Legsla-
res. Still others will have local OPP
tion campaigns. In some states meas
ures for law enforcement will be
sought. SO there will be battles all
along the line.
1t should be remembered that war
Prohibition, if adopted, will provide
only for the duration of the war and
the period of reconstruction, and will
not be permanent policy of govern
ment 1t is to go in, if Congress acts
favorably, only as war measure, and
while its importance is tremendous, ii
will provide Prohibition only so long
as it is in force. At the end OF the
specified time there is nothing to
hinder the resumption Of the liquor
traffic.
On the other hand, states that vote
dry are likely to remain Prohibition
territory forever, and states that vote
to rstify the national amendment can
not} under the law, rescind that action
They will be taking steps that will
put the nation dry for all time, during
INC years of peace as we'll as during the
years of war, if there are ever to be
other wars.
War Prohibition will help to bring
about statewide. and nationwide Pro-
hibition. Vigorous campaigns along
the line OF statewide Prohibition
and ratification will help greatly in
bringing about war Prohibition. Moth
ing succeeds like success, the old
adage says, and in the fight against
the liquor traffic nothing is better than
hitting the evil on all sides.
Thus, while the fight is going on
in the several states, there will also
be effort in Congress for war Prohibi-
ton and these fights will help each
other. The liquor traffic is on the de-
fensive. 1t cannot stand before heavy
opposition. 1t cannot divide its
strength so as to defeat all the propo-
sitions the drys put up.
War Prohibition will have a good
effect on states that vote after such
war Prohibition goes into effect. Not
only the liquor itself, but the places
where liquor is sold, are to be fought
as the enemies of all that is good
With the saloons of any state closed
even temporarily, it is much easier to
carry that state for Prohibition.
Should the war last year or more,
and the period of reconstruction oc-
cupy somewhat similar period, the
power of the saloons as political CEN
tcrs will be completely broken.
Another thing: Close the saloons
of state long enough for the people
to get used to the conditions, and
thousands who thought that saloon
closing would be intolerable are won
over to the benefits of Prohibition.
individuals, persons and forces
therefore, that are opposed to the
beverage liquor traffic will do their
full duty only as they lend their power
and influence to all the efforts that are
being made to hamper, hinder or pro-
hibit the liquor traffic, both in times
of war and in times of peace.
1t is up to YOU!