South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-06-05
4 LIQUOR REFERENDUM


on this page s. printed communication from the
head Of the Anti-saloon league Indiana. discuss
ing length editorial printed a short
ago in this newspaper.
That editorial suggested that the opportunity Of
the dry forces to forever establish prohibition
the broad basis OF popular will and forever stop
any question of the fundamental basis Of that law
by referendum OF votes is at hand.
There is pending at the present time in congress
a bill which provides for such a referendum by
congressional districts and giving such dirtrics
vote for beer booze. the right fix conditions
for their sale s a beverage
That bill Is a liquor measure. pure and simple.
It would such cases in the United States that
the whole PURPOSE of the constitutional amendment
would be defeated. It provides in shore Tor form
OF district secession the Union his ques
lion and under the OF home rule. would nullify
the greater rule Of the people as a whole.
The editorial suggestion made that the dry
forces take up the challenge and amend this meas
that a nationwide vote be taken the
question of light wines and beer, in the full and
sincere belief that such referendum would stop
these agitators for all time and forever take the
liquor question of politics
The vet forces have two arguments a. the present
time ws.'ch although untrue fact. have enough
Of popular APPEAL 70 make their agitation
worth while.
The first of these is that the prohibition amend
ment has resulted only in taking away the right TO
drink from the working and that the with
wealth and money is able to evade its provisions.
The second argument is that prohibition was
slipped over on the country when some million
of its best blood and brains a foreign shore,
lighting to this country.
1t is a SANDER upon that fine body of who
fought in France to charge that they would have
raised their their voices against this
stitutiona amendment. But it Is true that II was
passed in their absence and that they If any
entitled to a voice in the making Of the funda
mental law Of the land and be represented IN
such changes.
1t is absurd and huniliating thai the Anti
Saloon League any other temperance force should
be compelled to keep guard to protect part of
the constitution it would be to have a hired
organization there prevent any repeal or invalid
ating of the law against human slavery, the right
OF women to vote. the protection of homes from
illegal search. They all stand the basis
The leadership Of the dry forces the professional
leadership, is only scarcely better strategy and
its methods than that OF the ,wets. which vicious
and unAmcrican.
The presence in washington of the men named
in the communication. their constant presence
congressional halls and committees their persistent
appeals for funds for their support is only
constant invitation combat by the forces but
is in itself suggestion that the prohibition amend
a different basis than the rest of the
constitution.
The benefits OF prohibition have already been
manifestly great to appeal every thinking man.
The reduction in misery. vice, crime and human
wreckage be so amply subsantiated by obssrva-
ton in any community that there argument
az to its benefits.
But the fact does remain that the public
science led astray by constant agitation of both
professional does recognize violation of
this law criminal and that the law is weakened
in its operation by the fact that social 'ostracism
does follow its violation
No considers the selling OF liquor OF great
moral turpitude the holding OF a slave No
shrinks from who buys booze they would
draw away from who denied woman vote.
Yet these laws the level Of dignity in,
the fundamental law Of the land
A referendum, nation wide, and at this time
would give notice that this country willingly dry.
r. by any i'll adventure. that should be wet.
the representatives Of the people should that
popular will prevails. For law higher than
public sentiment and law which not backed
by majority opinion operate. II is time to
settle the question, and forever The people cal
be trusted TO settle II right.