The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-03-27

lsimiar action.
believe that the time for action is
now, because the political clements
who forced the adoption Of theEigh-
lteenth amendment on the people Of
Louisiana are even now planning and
Ischeming to repeat their performance
by sending dry delegation to
San Francisco, by which they mean a
bone dry" delegation. They are now
busy at work in the dark. They can
not accomplish their purpose in the
open; only quiet work can again de
feat the people Therefore, let us open
up the fight and fight IN the open.
1t is a realization of the Importance
of immediate acuon on TINS question
that has decided me to write you this
letter. feel greatly on this matter,
and the views Of majority OF the
people of this State should prevail
1t will prevail, if ever they are given
chance Up to now the chance has
been denied them.
George Washington said: THE
foundation of our government is laid
in private morals" | believe the pri-
vate morals of our people are to-day
the only security of our government.
You cannot legislate private morals.
Therefore, sumptuary laws are rot
only unnecessary; but, by limiting
freedom and liberty, create unrest,
breed dissention and generate a sup
RENE contempt for law and order a
mong citizens who otherwise would
be contented. Good, free American
citizens repudiate the Infamous doct-
,pa that tbn .rnuarnp,apf chnulI ol.
opt a standard suitable to the weak
ling and compel the strong to adjust
his taste, habits and life to this stan
dard. The government having reaped
revenue from the selling of liquor I'M
til given date cannot on the follow
ing day enforce u law which will send
a man to the penitentiary for carry
ing small flask fer his own use in
his grip or for selling his leftover
stock, on which he has paid revenue
taxes without subjecting itself to the
charge of hypocracy. To free lib
erty loving people a felony must be
violation of law which is a crime
per Sc" The moral and public senti-
ment cannot by force be changed
night without dire result in the
respect Of the law.
The spirit which is behind sumpt-
parry laws is contrary to the very
fundamentals of our government be-
cause such laws are the fruits Of in
tolerance and not of reason, good
common sence or the respect of the
rights of others. That spirit, in it's
enthusiasm, will override the rights
of others. That spirit, in its enthus-
iasm will override the rights and
privileges of the majority. 1t is the
result of reasoning from the premise
that the government owns the people
and these enthusiasts assume to con-
troll the government. Witness the De
mocratic primary for governor in
1916. Mr.. Barrett was the champion
and advocate Of prohibition; Gov.
Pleasant of Local Option. Prohibition
was decisively defeated at the polls
Our people rejected prohibition. Then
Gov. Pleasant, the local option leader
in louisiana was opposed in the gen
eral election by Mr.. Parker, who, in
his platform, referred to prohibition as
hypocracy. Prohibition had already
been eliminated from the contest.
The Legislature elected at this cleo
ton subsequently met and against the
cApISoocu VIII VI Tie people OI JHlS
state, with the assistance of Gov Pie
asant, ratified the Eighteenth amend
ment.
A few days ago, Washington press
dispatches announced to the world
that Louisiana would join with
other states in a suit against sister
state, wherein the dangerous doctrine
was announced that the state of Rhode
Island should be denied the right of
resort to the highest court of the land
to have her rights determined in an
orderly manner. The Constitution of
the Union grants to Rhode Island |
that right, but Louisiana seeks to de-
ny it to her. say Louisiana, but that
is mistake. Who joined Louisiana
in this suit against sister state |
Was it the people of Louisiana No! |
Was it the legislature of Louisiana,
which alone could authorize this act |
ion? No! Then who did it? Let each |
of US be sure that by making himself
his brothers keeper he does rot for
felt the liberty Of both.
This assumption of power by the |
of the people in state and
Nation must be challenged at once.
We should stand by our rights as
~, L.. l. 4