Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-07-29
METHODISTS FIGHT
FOR PROHIBITION
Bishops Say Dry Law the Greatest
United States Reform and Law
Must Be Enforced.

The Bishops of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church have roted 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 repail 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 its enforcement
and against those who have encour-
aged the betraya. of administrative
trust. When all has been said, the
accomplishment in the writing of
these particular laws makes the great
est chapter in Americas story of
moral reform. 1t has attracted the
attention of the world. 1t has given
to our industrial 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
a mere academic improperly. The
great objectives of civilization can
not be gained where lawlessness goes
unpunished and unrebuked. Mob vio-
lencc 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
inconsiderate criticism of laws in
duces insult to laws. The press of
this country must be made to see
its responsibility incscapable if its
persistent caricature of so called tenn
perance 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 constitu-
ton deal with occasion not as propa-
gandists of personal judgment but as
defenders 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 prohibitory reform, and
saying this, we would record appre-
ciation 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
world, in the interest of industrial
prosperity 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 sac
redly the results already gained and
to complete the work upon which so
many lovers of mankind have
wrought, anticipating with confidence
the day when despite the cupidity
of some and the reasonable 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, Sec'y.