, 1923-01-24

that he is broad enough and philosophical enough
and familiar enough with public questions and great
reform movements to thoroughly understand and ap-
preciate the task the forces for good have in con
.vincing the forces of evil of their error.
Our friend assumes that the reason for frequent
reference to law violations and evasions is because
these things are more in the daily news and become
subjects of public discussion, whereas law obsery-
ance being the regular and proper order OF things
and to be expected does not attract the public at
tention nor receive the consideration and commenda-
tion it should. BY a slight paraphraso the prohi'
bition situation is made very plain-it is more ad
vertised in the breach than in the observance. Our
friend is partially right in his assumption, but only
partially so. He knows, or should know if he has
followed the Tribune's attitude toward enforce
ment of not only tho prohibition law but Of all law,
that there is no stronger advocate of just this thing
than the Tribune. This page has presented argu-
ment and read lessons on this subject until there
seems to be nothing more that could be said. 1t
has done the same on the general subject of prohibi
ton. The Tribune's notion on this subject, briefly
stated, is that the person who cannot see the bene-
fits of prohibition to the human family and its neces
sity and desirabiIity as a national policy is a fool
and devoid of understanding. +,
There are more ways than one Of bringing home
to the general public the merits of an existing sit
u%ation, securing support or arousing action. Play
ing up the good to be derived, or that which has al.
ready been accomplished, and is acknowledged and
unquestioned, is more often less potent in securing
a result, than in presenting in detail the reverse or
evil side, together with the attending violations,
humiliatiOns, wrongs, deceits, and outrages against
n good public policy.
Reaction upon the public mind is more often oh.
tanned by the latter course than by the former. for
the fighting instinct is aroused through it. The
public mind is not the deep thinking mind. The
object lesson Is the most powerful factor of all in
dealing with the public, when circumstances admit
of its presentation.
Returning to the prohibition question, proper.
The whole matter has been settled by constitutional
amendment and supplementary acts of enforce
ment. These can no MOI be disturbed than can any
other section of the organic law of the nation. The
whole cruH of the situation is in the enforcement.
turning a nation of widely differing peoples from
ageIong habits Of life to directly opposite ones is
too violent a change to be accomplished without the
friction we are now experiencing. To bring all of
them TO see and acknowledge the virtues of prohibi.
ton may never be fully accomplished but to bring
the great bulk Of them under its kindly influence
Is very certain. The wave of revolt was to be ex-
pected. 1t may last many years into the future and
may require a new generation in time before the ebb
Is perceptible. 1t is realized that Il is a physical i'm.
possibility for the federal government to fully en-
force the law. The best that can be done is being
tone. In time the people themselves will rebel
against the practices of today and smugglers and
bootleggers will be reclassified and less popular.
In Fastening that day, as our good friend sug.
gests, the statistics of actual accomplishment of
prohibitions, the improved general health, financial
betterment and general efficiency of our people, not
emitting their moral improvement will come as the
final pillar of strngth in the prohibition structure.