The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-06-25
HARDING STANDS
FOR PROHIBITION
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who do not, not contention between
those who want to drink and those
who do not; it is fact being raised
above all that, to recognition as an
issue of whether the laws of this
country can be and will be enforced.
80 far as the Federal Government
is concerned-and I am very sure,
also, as far as concerns the very great
majority of the State governments
and the local governments-it VIII be
enforced.
Basic Law Of Land
'@The prohibition amendment 20
the Constitution is the basic law
of the land. The Volstead law has
been passed, providing a code of
enforcement. I am convinced they
are a small and greatly mistaken
minority who believe the eight
zenith amendment will ever be re-
pealed. Details Of enforcement
policy doubtless viii be changed
as experiences dictates.
Further, I am convinced whatever
changes may be made Will represent
the sincere purpose of effective en-
forcement, rather than moderation Of
the policy. It Will be the part of wis
dom to recognize the facts as they
stand
1T is q curious r1ustrat on Of too
loose thinking that some people have
proposed as q means of protecting the
fullest rights Of the States, that the
States should abandon their part I'm
enforcing the prohibitory policy. That
means simply an invitation to the
Federal Government to exercise
powers which should be exercised by
the States.
Government Considerable
1.-THE national Government has been
uniformly considerate OF tho sensi-
bilites of the States about their rights
and authorities. But when a State
deliberately refuses to exercise the
powers which the Constitution ex-
pressly confers on it It obviously COM
nlits itself to policy Of multiplying
State authority, the end Of which we
are reluctant to conjecture.
1--WE must recognize there are some
people on both sides of this question
IN whose minds it is absolutely para
mount.
1T was very generally believed the
adoption Of the constitutional amend
ment would take the question out of
our politics. Thus far It has not done
80. Though I venture to predict nei-
Their of-the great parties win gee the
time, within the lives of any who are
now voting citizens, when It Will de-
clare openly for the repeal of the
eighteenth amendment. But despite
all that the question is kept in poll
tics because Of the almost fanatical
urgency of the minority of extrem-
lists on both sides.
FaVOrs Universal Prohibition.
MANY; citizens. not teetotlers in
their habits, lawfully acquired stores
Of private stocks in anticipation of
prohibition pending the ratification Of
the amendment and the enactment Of
the regulatory law. Many have no
scruples against seeking supplies
from those who sell it in defiance Of
the law. The latter practice is rather
too costly to be INDUCED In by the
masses, so there are literally millions
of Americans who resent the lawful
possession Of the few, the lawless prac-
tees of few more and rebel against
the denial to the vast majority. Uni
versal prohibition in the United States
would occasion far less discomfort
than partial prohibition and partial
indulgence"
At the conclusion Of his address Mr.
Harding again spoke In favor of the
world court, declaring that "he would
like to go on with soul afarne In eager
ness to aid human Kind 1rhtla r,,,cu,aoA