Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-10
Sample Argument against Prohibition

Sample Argument against Prohibition
An American Woman" writes
pathetic letter to the Philadelphia
Press in opposition to prohibition. 1t
is pathetic that any woman should
not know. or. knowing. be so indiffer-
emit to tho cost that her sex has paid
to the liquor evil. She writes:
sir:-On The LIST Of July. II the prohibi-
ton law goes into effect, effect. freedom wi li
law is repealed later on and freedom
born again. nevermore can Americans
boasts that theirs Is the land Of the Tree.
Never asain can they whole-heaItediy
spangied Banner" If, as some persons
declare. prohibition is really the will Of
dous preparations for enforcing the
1t is surely very strange that a law
desired and approved by the people
to be so aod
having other laws enacted to enforce
the original law. High-salaried spies
are to be sent broadcast over the coun-
evade and disobey the prohibition Law.
Our very homes and private rooms may
be invaded by these Contemplate crea-
lures who are willing to take pay for
surely all this shows that the people
have not been consulted in the matter
Of prohibition. The average person. not
connected with either the liquor trade
able to give concrete facts as to no.
this vicious measure has been brought
about but most people have very firm
conviction that the thing has been
h0S haS ho-
trayed through some political juggling.
in which churches have been largely in
volved.
is already on. Judging by the numerous
articles against smoking in magazines
and newspapers: There seems to me
prohi6itions. and this is that they vii
make people more res sned to def
this can he called good. When all
earthly pleasures have been taken away
tached to this world
And I am ready to 60.
For the world has become a dreary
And n my life is getting low"
look curiously At the man on the streets
and In public places. men Of ali ages.
possible that I they arr are really going to .
submit to this unjust law.
As the fatal day draws nearer when
the great crime 10 to be consumrated
men Of America will tamely lie down
under it and allow themselves to be
made the laughing stock Of other ma
tons. -
wish to say here that am not IN
the remotest degree connected with the
liquor trade. I am just q plain person
who still believes in the old-fashtoned
ideals Of freedom. individual rights AMI
hn mi 1T nd AZ fvA'
'"e p'1 An AMERfcAN = woMAN.
Philadelphia, April q. 1919.
This pitiful specimen Of unrighte-
Gus convictions is a fair sample Of
the argument now burdening the
newspaper forums as civilizations
greatest shame totters on the brink
Of its grave. One Of Americas most
distinguished women writer's has re-
Gently lent her services to the desper-
alton Of the liquor interests She
sees no higher purpose in the re-
strictions upon an universally ac-
knowledged evil than the robbing Of
individuals Of their rights" their
personal liberty" to make fools Of
themselves. to destroy their intelli-
gence. character. all their finer in
stincts. their homes and their de-
pendents.
This American Woman" who dis
claims al connection with the liquor
trade. sees no farther beyond the ex-
prssstons Of her own inttmates than
che does into moral progress,
for she does not know that this law
at which sbs storms 10 . law OF an
ovsswhs,ming majority Of the people
Of this nation. demanded. prepared
and provided through the courss that
al IawS must take, and In spite Of
the frantic efforts Of the most power.
full organization IN the world. She
thinks CHS law mas "put over" On the
liquor intsrssts ana the buns ana