The evening world., 1919-01-16
NATIONAL PROHIBITION.

tatves people of the United States 10 their
Federal Constitution heapened and debased by the National
prshibition Amendment
Americans framed that Constitution thought they
hyng the foundation for the Of free people What
vud have been their feelings had they been told that day
special kind OF anacsm would find way to use their work Tor
be purpose imposing its particular limitations Of personal freedom
vpon every and woman in the United Statesi
There word in the Federal Constitution. there is
nothing nothing the noble breadth of its provisions that
cited make otherwise than utterly nconguOu and PerVerso
insertion amendment regulate the private conduct and
habits OF American citizens
has any other amendment to the Constitution changed in
this respect the character and purpose Of the original
will Eighteenth Amendment which descend to specific
personal rights and of state sovereignty look alongside
dse Ninth and Tenth Amendments:
TX The enumeration n the Constitution Of certain rights
construed deny dsprase others retained
by the people
x The powers not delegated to the United saes by
prohibited by States, reserved
respectively 10 the people.
Into the Federal Constitution being forced provision which
owing peculiar nature ought have
dercd without the fullest opportunities for rcfercnda provided
n che United States.
Through their Indifference and moral cowarco mnions o.
Americans have made possible powerful lobby do out
rageous wrong to their country and its institutions.
When they o their they going to ask:
What in the of liberty and Justice undo this
chang?
II appears quite certain that State referendum following
Prohibition Amendment by the cgs
the State alter the effect OF that ratification The Fed
ea Constitution provides that amendments ha be valid to all
enis and purposes part this Constitution when ratified by
Legislatures tce-ourth the several States by
veptons thecourh thereof the other mode Of at
cstion may be proposed by Congress"
For the ratification OF the National Prohibition Amendment
Congress specified the former mode As the Constitution
ratification y the Legislatures sufficient and final No matter
what State Constitutions provide refenda within the
State ratification is, in this complete when the Legislature
thus voted.
On the other hand has been than pointed
National Prohibition Amendment il stands is a hastily and
loosely put together affair subject variety Of interpretations
aroused and determined majority Of electors might inspire
gress with different attitude when question of
forcing th Amendmenas its second section Congress and
ne shall have concurrent power doby appropriate
lation."
Suppose responsible this amendment were to see
repose the Constitution innocuous or with
teeth carefully drawn? Suppose they find
all pretty much in the position of Congressman who has
print but whose speech urtne 1t impos
eble. There is also a Fifteenth Amendment
Not all impossible the Nation stirred the reaction
ng feel that something put over on them
their absencesrred also by the Americans at home
who have had their eyes opened at last if late
longer but perhaps might 10 enforce the
amendment
After miserable experience with evasion suberuge and espon
the steahy poisonous liquors. substitutes and drug
increasing unrest majority ncensed by
arbitrary curament of IFS rights the country would be certain TO
experience violent revulson of feeling
1t would have learned grim lesson and learned horoueby
The deal with evil foolish chances
bigger