The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-01
APPEAL MADE FOR
ENFORCEMENTOF
PROHIBITION Law
Program of Wet Forces De-
cIared to Be Direct ChaI-
Ienge TO All Churches.

lion, the Ferenal council o.
Churches has Issued an urgent
message to the churches.
1t appeals to "all Christian
people" to exert every influence to
secure the impartial enforcement
Of all laws and in every state acti-
witty to support for public Office
those who are loyal to tho Coz
stitution and to their oath OF Of
flee 10 MAINTAIN II. Among the
members OF the special committee
which prepared the statement arc
William Jennings Bryan and for
MGR Governor Carl e. Milliken of
Maine.
The immediate occasion for the
statment Is the announcement at
Washington on October IS by ths
organized forces which are fight
ing for the repeal OF the prohibits
ton legislation that they are or
ganizIng support at the coming
election for candidates who will
vote TO legalize the manufacture
and sale Of beer and wine. Not
only this open attack upon proh!-
billion. but also the more subtle
efforts to prevent the enforcement
Of the existing legislation are
pointed out, and the necessity OF
urging the churches now to play
as vigorous a part in the mainten-
ance OF respect for law Us they
formerly played in securing the
enactment Of the prohibition legls.
lation.
The statement is as follows:
THE public announcement OF
the program OF the forces opposed
to prohibition is d direct challenge
to the churches and the friends OF
orderly government. They demand
the repeal OF thG national prohibl-
ton act and the restoration Of the
manufacture and sale Of beer and
wine. in face Of the fact that botu
are Intoxicating and therefore
cannot be leganZed without first
changing the Constitution.
Furthermore. the sale Of beer
and wine require some agency for
distribution and so would lead In.
evitably to the return Of the out
lawed saloon with all its atten-
dant evils.
Gwen more serious than the
open campaign against prohibit
ton are the sinister Influences
constantly at work to prevent tho
honest enforcement OF the existing
law. To disobey or disregard any
law enacted by the properly &C
credited representatives Of the
people Is to aid the cause OF
anarchy and to undermine tho
foundation on which all demo-
cratic Institutions rest. In the
ringing words Of President Hard
ing: Whatever broods disrespect
for the law Of the land is a force
tending to the general breakdown
of the social organisation
THE Federal Council Of the
Churches OF Christ In America
therefore appeals to all Christian
people to exert every influence 10
secure the inpartia reinforcement
Of all laws. Since the foes Of pro-
hibition are now united to defeat
the Constitution It Is high time for
the Christian forces ofour country
also to unite and to be as consiE-
tent at the ballot box in their sup
port OF the Constitution as Its
enemies are In attempting its
notification"
At the same time the Federal
Council Of Churches received
from Fred B. Smith, chairman Of
It's commission on council Of
churches, a report on the inter
view of the 2s Allied Christian
Societies to whom President Hard
ing spoke briefly on prohibition
and the international responsible
ty OF America.
The statement Of the President
as reported by Mr.. Smith was as
follows:
mo government Is worthy OF
the name II It does not attempt t.
enforce Its laws, but 1t is pretty
difficult sometimes. will tell you
a rather interesting story about the
Eighteenth Amendment, when It
is developed moro fully.
II hope you will look upon
your Government With no less
confidence as We turn to a pecu-
liar method. With the law as It
stands no vessel IN the world. with
any intoxicants on board. sealed
or unsealed, can touch at any Of
our insulaF ports.
II am pressed 70 tell you, be-
cause ] know your position In the
matter,-I don't believe that ls
practical. It Is the law; and at the
present time must be enforced. ]
only give you that to show the
difficulty IN enforcing the law. OF
course.it must be enforced.
II think We are better off for
the Eighteenth Amendment. It has
come to stay. ] do not think we
will ever depart from It."