Evening star., 1926-04-19
Has Prohibition Failed!
DIR. Butler and Bishop Manning Present
Opposing Views.
By BISHOP WILLIAM T. MANNING
of


The truth Of much that was testified
TO in Washington is generally con.
ceded as TO the increase of drinking
among certain groups and classes of
people. the lowering of standards. the
flask carrying and other disgusting
and degrading practices which have
been introduced among those who
ought tn know better and to have
nohler ideals cf life. ! recognize the
evil and corruption connected with
bootle egginc, in connection with which
let us remember that the respected
members of society who patronize the
hootlegger and so create him are just
as reprehensible as the men whom
they thus tempt. and pay, to violate
the law
We must remember. however, that
the pictures of these violations OF the
Law are drawn usually by those who
wish to use them as an argument FOR
the repeal. or modification, Of the law.
Other laws are difficult of enforce
ment. and are frequently violated. but
we do not therefore suggest their
modification or repeal.
We must consider this law not in
it's effect upon certain groups or
communities who willfully choose to
defy and violate il. but in its effect
whole and. SO considered, there is. in
my Judgment, no room for serious
doubt as TO it's beneficial results.
Law Observance Increasing.
BY a great part of the people we see
this law respected and obeyed. We
see its observance in the country as
a whole increasing and not decreas-
ing. We see the lives and homes of
wage earners and plain people i'm
measurably benefited by it. We sec
in many places jails closed because
they are no longer needed.
The return to the sale of wines and
beer, which some are advocating.
would in my judgment increase, and
not reduce. the present evils. and
would make any enforcement Of the
law impossible. ! do not believe that
the country as a whole will listen to
this. I see that some of the clergy
say that this law cannot he enforced.
Instead of saying that it cannot he
enforced. let us do our part TO arouse
the spirit which will insure its en-
forCement.
Briefly there are three or four main
facts in regard to this question as
see them. This law is not n wrong.
or evil or impious one. such as we
should be justified in refusing TO obey.
/ quote the words of John G*Sargent.
Attorney General of the United
States: That a traffic which for
generations has been recognized, and
discussed. and written about, by econ
omists, sociologists and jurists as An
evil may be marked for extinction by
the awmaking power and agencies of
the country is not only settled law
settled beyond the stage of being
longer open to question-but 1t has
been settled. and rests on foundat ations
of soundest reasoning" Our country
had the full right to make this law.
The prohibition law being the law.
it is the duty of every good citizen to
obey it. To quote the Attorney Gen
eral again: I'm this country the will
of the people. expressed at the ballot
box, creates the duty of the citizen
upon the subject voted upon" The
Attorney General no doubt recognizes,
as I certainly do that law might he
passed by human tribunal so i'm
pious in its nature, so contrary to the
law of God. and of right. that it would
be our duty to defy and resist it to
the death, but this is not such a law.
If we are ever to resist the law in the
name of personal liberty I hope it will
be in a higher cause than the right
to buy and drink intoxicating liquor.
Must Keep Up Campaign.
The law has it's great Importance.
but we must not depend only upon
the law to promote temperance among
the people. 1t is quite true that go
cial legislation is never a substitute
for social education" We need a con-
tinuous campaign of Information and
education as to the evils physical, tn-
tellectual, economic. moral and spiri.
ual, which have cursed the world as
the result of the use of intoxicat ting
drinks.
! wish that we might lift t.ss sub
ject up from the level of mer: law
enforcement to the higher leVs. of
free. voluntary. willing support of THE
law for the sake of the common good.
In view of what our race has suf-
fered through the evils of strong
drink. in view of the agony which
fathers. mothers and children have
suffered from 1t. in view Of the fact
that its suppression means the re-
duction of poverty. sorrow, disea So
and crime. we should be willing and
glad TO make such surrender of our
personal liberties. or of our tastes.
as this law calls for, and to see pro-
hbition fully and fairly tried.
We know that it was good for the
Young men during the war, and we
know that IL is equally good for them
now. What magnificent thing it
would he II for the aid of those who
are enda ngered by strong drink we
should all of us give our full support
to the prohibition laws. What better
exhibition could there be of the ideal.
ism of America than such willing
surrender Of our preferences and
tastes for the good of all, and for the
help especially of our weaker breth-
rem?