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

1"ih prohibition of the liquor traffic
Tor beverage purposes has been for
some time past, and is now. the most
Vitai and most interesting question be-
Tore the American people.
When the nature of the question is
considered this Is not at all strange.
Inc more people u law touches, the
greater will be the interest manifested
III 1t; the more a law interferes with
mems appetites, mems desires and
mems passions the greater will be the
opposition to the law for a time
The question is asked over and over
again whether prohibition is proving
success. The statement is made time
and time again that 1t is a faiblhre. The
prophesy is ventured by many who are
neither prophets nor the sons of
prophets that in the end it will fail.
The most exaggerated statements are
made in reference TO it.
Amidst all this furore and storm, let
us aim to get our bearings clearly in
order that we may ascertain II possible
where we are at. Let us follow the
thought of the Master as expressed in
the following language: (Which of you
thinking to build for himself an house
sltteth not down first ana counteth the
cost to see if he hath the wherewith
TO complete it?" In other words, let us
consider the nature of the work the
size of the job, the circumstances sur
rounding it, the difficulties to be over-
come. Let US face these things squarey.
1t is my firm belief that the Ameri-
can people in adopting the principle Of
prohibition took upon themselves the
greatest and hardest piece of work ever
undertaken by any nation since history
began. There never was n govern
mental principle adopted which was so
radical as was prohibition of the liquor
traffic for beverage purposes, or which
touched so many people. Ever since
the days Of Noah, men have been drink
ing and becoming drunk, until they have
become slaves to their habits, their APP
petites and their desires The liquor
traffic has been in our midst from the
beginning of our existence as nation,
and it grew to such bounds prior to
prohibition days that we were spending
annually two billion dollars for ntoxi-
eating liquor for beverage purposes, TO
say nothing of different lines of busi-
ness depending to a greater or less eX-
tent upon the traffic for their existence
In other words, the liquor traffic had
fastened itself firmly upon the per
sOnal political and economic life of the
people.
A LII great reforms move slowly Es-
n pecially is this the case where the
reform has to do with some matter
which has been part and parcel of the
personal. political and economic life OF
a people. Reforms do not spring into
existence overnight; they do not come
about while men sleep. The current OF
history cannot be changed overnight
AM caused to flow in an opposite direc
ton These things come about after
long and protracted effort.
Further, 1t must be borne In mind
that the mere inditing, promugatine
or adopting of any principle Of reform
ydoes not complete the reform. The
signing OF Magma Charta by King John
in 1915 did not secure political liberty
FOR the English people. 1t took ages
of effort upon the part of the English
people to make the principles enunciat
cds in Magma Charta effective. The
adoption of the Declaration Of Indepen-
dence by the Continental Congress did
not secure the independence Of the col
onies from the mother country. To make
the principles enuncated in the instru
ment effective required eight years oi
toll and suffering upon the part o
4 L..
The promulgation by Abraham Lincoln
did not free the slaves. 1t required ter.
rifle sacrifice upon the part of oui
fathers and mothers to bring this tt
pass.
CORTY centuries ago God. Himself
L gave Moses the Ten Command
ments. but his people and His church
are to this day still working TO max,
these Commandments effective In tn
minds ond hearts OF men. Go whcr,
YOU will in history. and you will FIND
that reforms move slowly and that th'
mere enunciation or adoption of an,
principle of reform does not complete
the work.
Some people seem to believe that tn,
mere writing of the principle OF pro
hibtion and placing It upon the statute
hooks completed the task on which the,
had been engaged for many years. /
they had sat down and counted the cost
II they had considered the nature o
the problem, II they had studied tn
history and movement OF reform gen
orally. they would not have been justl
fled in arriving at any such conclusion
In getting our bearings, let us notice
very briefly two or three other matter
OF itercst. We must keep in min'
that no other principle. unless II wa!
that OF slavery. has over been 30 bit
terly contested; nor have men NOR,
sharply divided upon any question
Their passions and prejudices wcr,
aroused upon this question as upon M
other.
In such a contest the defeated part!
L. moi rpncrnliv Inclined TO nCceDt do