The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-04-06

agents are at times framed and that
charges are made against them which
are not at all true.
In the light Of the facts herein men
toned, what can be said for the prin-
ciple of prohibition at this time? IT.
must of course, be admitted that there
is drinking of intoxicating liquors and
violation of the law; but so is therR
of all other ordinances Of God and
laws of men, especially where the
ordinances and laws so vitally touch
the appeutes, customs and habits of
men as does the prohibition of the
liquor traffic for beverage purposes.
But, admitting this, let us look at
the question from a broader viewpoint.
We have passed from pre-prohibition
times to prohibition days without a
jar or ripple. In the short time the
law has been in force the sentiment
OF the people has so changed upon
the question that one cannot advocate
openly the return Of the saloon. No
political leader would think OF advocat.
ing such an idea or doctrine. All ad-
nit now that the saloon was an evil,
and that it should not exist in our
midst, and this Notwithstanding the
fact that they may have fought with
might and main to prevent the elm
ination of the saloon. This, in itself,
would be a marvellous result for so
short a trial of the new principle.
Further, the novelty of the new Or
der of things is rapidly disappearing
Men will give up their old habits and
customs and form new ones. Business
is gradually but surely adapting itself
to the new order of things. A new
generation which knows little about
Intoxicating loqur, and which cares
less, is rapidly coming on the stage
of action.
THE social aspect Of drink Is entirely
gone But few recruits are being
enlisted in the great army of drinkers,
and this for the reason that there is
nothing connected with the service
which appeals to the youth of the land.
Moreover, thousands and thousands of
those who always have been in the
ranks are deserting the army because
It now has standing or leadership in
this country. Men are learning rapidly
that the great bulk Of the liquor which
is now to be found is nothing more than
poisonous concoctions of one kind or
another
The great mass of men will not long
be induced to follow such a mirage or
deception. Let the law stand as it is
for year or two longer and the senti-
ment of the people against the liquor
traffic win have so crystalized that few
will even advocate the return of light
wines and beer.
i Prohibition is a growth, and not a
condition. You cannot say that yester-
day we had not prohibition and today
VIDE have it, 1t is the elimination of
those conditions which make 1t easy to
obtain drink and form the appetite for
.lrink and the substitution of those
conditions which make it difficult to OBJ
tain drink and to form the appetite.
This process of elimination and substi-
tuition is going on rapidly and will con-
tinue with increased effectiveness.
/ have suggested herein that the
work undertaken by the people in adopt
ing the principle Of prohibition is a
large one and that the problems in
establishing the principle are somewhat
difficult of solution. But, after all, this
reform will be more easily completed
than many others which have been un-
dertaken and which are now in process
of completion.
Most reforms have to do with natural