The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1923-07-27
FARM EXPERT SETS FORTH CONVNCINGLY
ATTITUDE OF S. FARMERS ON PROHIBITION
Gangers Like Soldy Against Liquor
Traffic; John Bareyeorn Early Found This Out; But
Lied Conceal 1t
(By J. H. Larimore)

For several years I have been a
member of the Grange. For nearly
two years | was engaged in the work
of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation
and in close touch with the activities
of that organization. Two things |
learned with respect to these organiza-
tons. First, that as rule, with hard
ly an exception, the memberships of
these organizations are recruited from
the ranks of the most enlightened and
progressive of farmers, and that most
enlightened and progressive farmers,
if they do not belong to the Grange
and Farm Bureau, are members of
some other farm organization.
The second thing is that the farmers
are in favor not only of prohibition,
but also of strict enforcement of law
and the unfolding of the Consttu-
ton.
In the annual convention of both
Grange and Farm Bureau, action has
been taken repeatedly in favor of pro-
hibition, and since prohibition came,
of enforcement. The Nolstead act
has been given cordial official approval,
not only by the organization in CON
vention, but also by all officials of the
organization.
The farmer vote, like the vote of any
other group in the United States, is not
centered in any political party, but this
thing may be set down with no argu
ment whatsoever, that the farmer vote,
whether Republican or Democratic,
will not be cast for wet candidates or
wet measures. If Governor Al Smith
is looking to the farmer vote, he may
as we'll forget he ever had political
aspirations, and what is true of the
farmer vote is true also of the village,
hamlet, small town and small city--of
many large cities, am sure, also--but
especially of what may be called the
rural group, farmers and persons liv-
ing in towns of 10000 and under.
Here is statement just issued from
the office of the National Grange, at
Washington, by T. c. Atkeson, Wash
ington representative, and with the
sanction of the national officials:
"The action OF Governor Smith of
New York in signing the dry law re-
pealer passed by the legislature of
that state focuses the attention of the
country on the wet and dry issue.
"On this issue there is no question
as to the position of the National
Grange, farmers organizations gen
orally and the large majority of farm
people of the United States. The
National Grange and all it represents
will be found leading the dry forces
if this question is forced to an issue
in any way. In 1921 speaking at
Portland, Ore, at the annual session
of the National Grange, Worthy
Master Lowell said
The present need of this coun-
Try IS not more laws out dH
honest enforcement of what we
have. AS a great militant body
of law-abiding people the Grange
has always stood for orderly gov
eminent, and in its own member
ship it has been fine exemplihca
ton of the great American truth
that Obedience to Law is Liberty
Laxity in law enforcement where
ever INDUCED threathens destruc-
ton and should Immediately COM
mand the effective rebuke of every
true citizen.
With the enactment of constitu-
tional prohibition in the United