South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-05-22

day learn as it has had several lessons that If It
must induct its into politics assuredy when Il
comes to a choice between two evils. the thing 20
do Il to try to choose the least. but TO choose
neither. SO doing Il least Is enabled escape
the responsibility, ana Is left free critic, without
obligation TO condone. wink at. apologize for.
excuse. perhaps defend evils to which It has
tributed.
The excuse made for the dismissal OF the prohi-
hilton agents IS that the congress did not apprO-
pirate sufficient funds 10 retain them in operation.
Well. the party control OF the last
gress Is in control OF the present one. the
party as Is now hddling with some more amend
nents to the volstead They tell US that these
agents viii be put to work again after the close OF
the present fiscal year. when funds Will be avail
able to pay their way. but shall what we
shall Washington has more than once expected
the public forget things that It has promised
would take place month. six weeks two
months hence
Former Atty Gen. Palmer. at the last moment
before leaving Office handed down ruling in large
nullifying the Volsead law. his
Atty Gen. Daugherty has consistently refused TO
rule differently. and though Congressman Volstead
is trying TO patch up the hole. congress sets by,
withholds appropriations. and there is to be only
passing enforcement OF the law that is left. Mean
while too, district attorneys all over the country
have been ordered from the attorney generals
flee 10 lay quiet the subject Of federal indict
nents. we would be derelct were we to refrain
from congratulatng the church in action" upon
the splendid results OF its prediction rush Ito
the rescue"
Of this here there in comparison
with the popular attitude particularly OF the wet"
forces that because they are not TO be constantly
watched before. with a federal agent always
their trail they are to be privileged TO regard the
ERA" as wet and to indulge their negitimate
trade. just freely though It legitimate.
Have we reached that stage of anarchism here in
America where our only respect for the law IS our
fear for a rolcemans club? Men of that
Americansm which like 20 preach with respect
for government by law. do not need policemen
federal agents to haunt their trails in order 20
keep them straight Nothing could be more signif-
cant of the un-Americanism OF the wet forces,
shouting geefully of the era" than this phase
OF their anticpations and their tacitly announced
intentions violate the law with all the Impunity
that the absence Of federal agents admits of.
We almost inclined to suggest vocation
for the church in action" that little more devo-
attention inspiring citizenship to respect
the law might do quite as much good as grooming
candidates for office, and particularly when the
chief recommendation of the candidate. is the party
that he $ to hide behind. We need more
ctzeRs who can respect the law when the motor
cycle cop is out of sight, well when he is in
sight; more people with such high ideals Of Ameri-
canism that expressions Of promise Of wet era"
merely because acknowledgements agents to be
laid off Will fail TO delight them; with whom dis
obedience to law is always disgrace, whether
brought to punishment not. The law-abding cid-
who is law-abding through fear is a humbug.