Milford chronicle., 1922-07-21
METHODISTS FIGHT
FOR PROHIBITION
BISHOPS SAY DRY LAW THE GREATEST
UNITED STATES REFORM AND LAW
MUST BE ENFORCED.
ATTRACT WORLD ATTENTION
IT HAS GIVEN TO OUR INDUSTRIAL LIFE
AN ADVANTAGE RECOGNIZED BY
ECONOMISTS EVERYWHERE.

The Bishops of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church have noted the present
discussion of the Volstead Act and
the Eighteenth Amendment to our
Constitution. Such discussion was to
be expected. Ingenuity would be ex-
hausted to discover or invent reasons
for the repeal of the laws. Allowing
that all the results anticipated have
not been realized that fact lies not
against the law but against those who
have failed in it's enforcement and
against those who have encouraged
the betrayal of administrative trust.
When all has been said, the accom-
plishment in the writing of these par
ticular laws makes the greatest chap
ter in Americas story of moral re-
form. 1t has attracted the attention
of the world. 1t has given to our in
dustrial life an advantage recognized
by economists everywhere.
The relation of the drink traffic to
crime has long been familiar. We need
to see that the disrespectful treatment
of prOhibitory laws is not mere
academic improperly. The great OBJ
jectives of civilization can not be
gained where lawlessness goes un-
punished and unrebuked. Mob vio-
lence is today a menace which de-
mands most careful thought and wis
est treatment. The ability to sup
press or prevent disorder which jeop-
ardizes the right of property and life
is one of the ultimate tests of civili-
zation.
Obedience to law is not an elective
to be rendered or refused on the basis
of individual or group choice. This
we believe. But it is inconsistent to
inveigh against the spirit of lawless-
ness on other fields if in our attitude
toward the prohibitory enactment we
encourage contempt of law. Those
who make public opinion must be held
accountable for the total result when
criticism of laws induces
insult to laws. The press Of this cOun-
try must be made to see its response
bility inescapable if its persistent car
feature of so called temperance laws
leads the immature to believe that
law itself belongs really and only in
the comic supplement.
Where present legislation seems in
adequate let it be perfected. Where
the law is Intellectual, find the cause
and as quickly as may be, remedy it.
Let us insist upon it that those who
are sworn to uphold the constitution
deal with occasion not as propagan-
dists of personal judgment but as de-
tenders of the law.
Let us choose for Office those only |
who have by word or act established |
their right of recognition as the |
friends of DrOhibitOT-v reform and |
saying this, we would record appre-
citation of the help given to this cause
by the President of the United States
and by the Chief Justice; and we
would pay tribute to those in the |
House of Representatives and in the |
Senate of the United States and to |
those in other places of public trust, |
who have taken and held their place |
On the side of national morality.
For the sake of the nation and the I
world, in the interest of Industrial
as of peace and order, for
The promotion of all the ends of edu- |
cation and religion we accept for our
selves and urge upon all our people |
The solemn obligation to guard sacred
Iy the results already gained and to
complete the work upon which so I
many lovers of mankind have wrought |
with confidence the day
when despite the cupidity of some and
The treasonable intrigue of others the
life of the nation shall be lifted to
The level of it's laws.
Issued by authority Of the Board of
Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Bishop L. B. Wilson, Secty.