The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1919-11-04

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the factors that have combined to
bring success are growing factors.
Each day adds to their strength. Let
me mention some Of them: First, NOR.
al standards have been raised, and
they will not be lowered; second, SCI
entific investigations have shown that
even the moderate use OF alcohol is
injurious and these demonstrations
cannot be overthrow. Whether one
is fighting az soldier or is a pro-
ducer in time OF peace, ne needs
clear brain and a steady nerve, York,
the worlds greatest soldier. measured
by individual efficiency, was a teeto.
taler-no rum ration could have quai.
flied him for the unexampled work
that he did; third, business men have
helped by giving preference to men
who do not drink; fourth, patriotism
carried our cause over the top; the
war threw a ghastly light upon the
menace Of alcohol. Our army, trained
under conditions never known before,
surprised the world as a fighting ma.
chine. The lesson will not be un-
learned-it will be taught, to other
nations.
!. 81, =. K Endorsement Next
Enforcement comes next. But 1t
will be easier now. The liquor in.,
terests have used wet territory as
basis for their operations against dry
territory. There is no longer wet
spot under the flag" ~
y Heretofore, we had to combat
great financial organizations; now we
deal with individuals, and each one
of these will be running so fast to get
away from an officer Of the law that
he cannot cooperate with any other
bootlegger running in the same direc.
tioh at the same speed"
I'm the past the breweries and dis.
tilleries have been able to make each
day the money they used in fighting
prohibition; now the buildings must
be put to other uses-one brewery in
Michigan has been purchased by
Methodist church and converted into
social settlement plant-the great.
est conversion since the conversion
OF Saul of Tarsus."
What a night of sorrow we have
passed through, but the morning is
here, and Joy cometh with It,"
John Barleycorn is dead. 1t looked
at times as II the final obsequies
might be delayed until January 16, but
the presidents recent announcement
would seem to put an end to the drink
traffic.
"He says that he has no power to
prevent war prohibition from going
into effect. AS war prohibition con.
tinues until rehabilitation is com.
pleted, and as we have yet In the SER
.xicaa- more thans.a. milaiaa emergency
soldiers, nearly one.half Of them in
Europe, the chances are many to one
that rehabilitation will not be com
pleted before. constitutional prohibit
tion begins. The longer the natfor
is dry the greater will be the presi
dents reluctance to reopen the grave
in which long-suffering but at last
aroused people have buried mans
greatest enemy
No Exemptions
There will, of course, be remon.
strances and resistance in some sec.
tions. men are trying to secure the
exemption Of beer and wine, but they
will fail. and ought to fall, The brew.
er and the distiller have been part.
ners IN me-co.conspirators against
all that is high and holy. Now that
they are about to reach the end of
their criminal careers, 1t would be
cruel to separate them; they must be
allowed to die together and be buried
In the sane grave"
THE last hope OF the liquor inter.
ests Is to entrust the courts to decide
how much alcohol is necessary to in.
toxicate, but this effort also will fail,
and ought to fail. The prohibition
laws to be enacted by congress will
fix the alcoholic content. II the pe0-
pie have right to protect themselves
from the saloon. they have a right to
define saloon and to say what 1t
shall be permitted to sell. Congress
and not the courts will decide upon
the alcoholic content to be permit