Evening star., 1923-06-25

historical records regarding enorts
of States to nullify national poiis
cies; but the spectacle OF ota.S
nullifying its own autnorily' az
asking the national soVereish.y ~
take over an important part OF It's
powers, is new When the lmpI,
cations of this strange PROPOSE.
are fully understood by people ana
parties devoted to preserving IN Ime
rights of the States, the new huli .t,I
ficationists. / venture 10 say WIZ
discover that they have perpe-
trated what is likely to prove one
OF the historic blunders In poiiticai
management.
Factors DemOralizins.
am making my appeal in this
matter to the broadest and best
sentiments of law-abiding Amer
= leans everywhere. we must rec
ognize that there are some peopie
on both sides of this question IN
whose minds it is absolutely
paramount. Some would De Will
ing to sacrifice every other con-
sideration of policy in order 10
have their own way as to TINS
one. This constitutes one of the
most demoralizing factors In the
situation.
II was very generally believed
that the adoption of the Con
stitutional amendment would
take the question out OF our
politics. Thus far it has not done
so, though / venture to predict
that neither of the great parties
will see the time, within the lives
OF any who are now voting cltl-
zens, when it will declare openly
for the repeal of the eighteenth
amendment But despite all that,
the question is kept in politics
because of the almost fanatical
urgency of the minority or ex-
temists on both sides. Unless,
through the recognition and ac-
Ceptance of the situation IN us
true light, through the effective
enforcement of the law by all the
constituted authorities, and with
the acquiescence of the clearly
dominant public opinion OF the
country, the question is definitely
removed from the domain of polit-
ical action, it will continue de-
moralizing element in our whole
public life. 1t will be a per-
manent bar to the wise deter
mination OF many issues utterly
unrelated to the liquor question.
1t will be the means of encourag-
ing disrespect for many laws.
1t will bring disrepute upon our
community. and be pointed to as
justifying the charge that we are
nation of hypocrites. There
can be no issue in this land para
mount to that of enforcement of
the law.
Warns of Peril.
II is easy to understand the
conditions out of which much
unrest has developed, but it is
20 Iny h
Of complacency amid a develop
ing peril. ! want to give warning
against that peril.
Many citizens, not teetotalers in
their habits. lawfully acquired
stores of private stocks in an
ticipation of prohibition, pending
the ratification of the amendment
and the enactment of the regu-
latory law. Many others have had
no scruple in seeking supplies
from those who vend in defiance
of the law. The latter practice
is rather too costly to be in
dulged by the masses, so there
are literally American millions
who resent the lawful possess
sions of the few, the lawless prac-
tices of few more, and rebel
against the denial to the vast
majority. Universal prohibition
in the United States would ocea-
sion far less discomfort than
partial prohibition and partial in
dulgence.
II is the partial indulgence which
challenges the majesty of law, but
the greater crime Is the impair
ment OF the moral fiber of the
republic. The resentful millions
have the example of law defiance
by those who can afford to buy,
and are reckless enough to take
the risk. and there is inculcated
a contempt for law which may
some day find expression in far
more serious form.
Must Obey Laws.
do not see how any citizen
who cherishes the protection of
law in organized society may feel
himself secure when he himself
is the example of contempt for
law. Clearly there Is call for
awakened conscience and awak-
ened realization of true self-in-
terest on the part of the few who
will themselves suffer most when
reverence for law is forgotten
and passion is expressed in de-
structive lawlessness Ours must
be a law w-abiding republic, and
reverence and obedience must
spring from the influential and
the leaders among men, as we'll