The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1922-05-25

They have left to us this supreme
heritage in the faith that we shall
preserve it and develop it into a ma
ton with still higher type of liberty
before we in our turn leave it to the
generations that shall follow us.
What is the liberty which they set
up as their ideal and for which we
are to strive? 1t is the freedom Of
men who conform to the laws estab-
lished for the benefit of progress
sive civilization. The great gulf of
human imperfections, which makes
conditions such that all men cannot
be satisfied by this freedom, must be
bridged by love for country and re-
spect for law.
History discloses the fact that the
institutions of liberty, which we are
prone to consider as having always
existed, have each in their turn been
established as a result of much agita-
LIoll anu euuCcttlOll. LIc1CL SCHCl |IioAi
has contributed toward the develop
ment of this nation in order that it
might rise nearer that noble ideal Of
liberty. The economic problem of
taxation without representation was
solved by the Declaration Of indie
pendence; the social problem of edu
cation, by free schools; the moral
problem Of slavery by the Emancipa-
ton Proclamation. AS they of past
generations have solved their prob
lens, justly and nobly, so we of this
generation must solve ours. There is
within our nation today tremendous
silent conflict between the forces that
will not be satisfied to adjust them
selves to the laws for race benefit and
the governing power that promotes
these laws. The special issue is the
enforcement of the prohibition
This situation can not be met in
struggle as was the
slavery situation. 1t is far more COM
pick for it is more extended and diff
fused. Intoxicating liquors may be
obtained without difficulty in every
state in the Union. During last year
liquors valued at more
than seventy million dollars were
through our custom houses |
and across our borders. Yet this
only about one-half the
amount consumed. Private stills
have provided far more than can be
estimated. This illicit smuggling and
production has become an occupation
which makes millionaires in a fort
night. This is however little more
han even the most optimistic prohi-
expected, and they view the
violation itself with no great alarm.
We should have learned little from
The past had we not learned that So
oriety and decency can not be forced
oy statutory enactment alone. Such
1eep-rooted institutions must be Grad
cated from our democracy by educa-
lion, good precept, and example. The
great danger of our problem lies in
the fact that the sentim ent which
made the amendment possible is ap-
parently weakening in respect for all
law.
The Anti prohibitionist are spar
ing no effort to arouse public feeling
N their favor. They are propagating
the belief that prohibition is fail
lre. 1t never has been enforced and
that is sufficient evidence to conclude
that it never can be enforced. They
have ridiculed, abused and violated
the law until they are actually con-
vincing the public that prohibition
causes far greater evils than it allie
viates. They are trying to conceal
the real issue by keeping before the
public mind the differences of opinion
which the amendment at its adoption
precluded.
Recent elections show decrease in
vote for officials who stand for en-
forcement of the constitution. The
public have laughed at the joke, toll
Grated the ridicule and abuse of the
constitution, criticized the delinquent
officers of the law and apparently ex-
cused the individual citizen from duty
in law enforcement. Drunkenness on
the street brings forth explanations
of disgust; but the greatest action it
inctes is the cry, what can we do?
We are divided in sentiment" Our
fathers who fought against slavery
had not even the law on their side
and they too were divided in senti-
ment. They had but one guide and
incentive to direct them rightly. We
too have that-the ideal of liberty
and justice for humanity.
However the law will not enforce