Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-07-21
Stand Maine G 0 P
IHan4innad {rnnn Pane Onel

Of the people upon the Temperance
question. 1t is still supremely nee
essary to keep our vision clear as
to the issue that is at stake.
Following the adoption of the
Eighteenth Amendment the temper =
ance forces of the country rested
upon their oars feeling that the mil
Ienium had really dawned Mean
while insidious forces were quietl,'
and persistently at work seeking
subtlv 10 undermine, by an appeal u
the baser instincts Of humanity, the
structure of temperance reform that
mad been reared.
Those interested in this great hui
rnanitarIan measure are now aWak-
ening 10 the realization that no vica-
rious salvation awaits upon TINS
score and that a law may be not
blessing but curse unless the
thought of the people is prepared to
respond to its appeal.
Slowly and ponderously temperance
education is being rcinstated in the
position OF prominence that it long
occupied in the life OF our youth.
Buttressed by the Eighteenth Amend
mcnt we may look forward with con-
fdence to continual improvement in
the attitude of the American people
toward indulgence of this sort since
in addition TO the powerful appeal OF
temperance upon its own ground
there is now added the persuasive ar
gument of American respec. for law
There arc certain classes of our
Young people coming to maturity m
the last decade with the educational
confusion incident To the world war
who are not so clear is their prede-
Cessors as to the evil consequences OF
the licensed sale OF intoxicating
drink. With this wave the temper
ance forces OF the country must
reckon. a. they rclnState temperance
education among the youth OF the
United states in order to accumulate
for existing legislation the loyal sup
port which can alone make it sue
cess even as the temperance educa-
ton of pre-war days made it posi-
BILE for the Eighteenth Amendment to
be enacted into our fundamental la ".
Meanwhile political forums must
deal with the maintenance of exist
ing law. No confusion as to the is
sue which is al stake should be per-
mitted to blind our political thinking
at this time All candidates and all
parties have rendered at least a Up
service to enforcement-not daring
to stultify themselves or their asso-
ciates by openly countenancing the
publication of our fundamental Ian.
1t may be taken for granted that IN
our state at least suc! a pledge Of
enforC ment will he continued By
candidates and parties alike.
The real issue however in Maine
and in the Nation is one which many
opposing interests very much prefer
to sea obs"rred. During the next
few years outside the So-called wet
territory that has been developed
in certain parts OF the United states
where candidates are being selected
definitely pledged to modification OF
the existing law the endeavor pf
those faVoring modification will be
devoted to the selection of candidates
and the writing of party platforms
that are silent concerning the posi-
BILE moCIfCation Of this law.
We are presented with the extra
ordinary spectacle of the wet inter
ests of the country nominating can
didates and writing party platforms
pledged to modification wherever
they consider they have the slightest
chance of success. On the other
hand these same interests are pro-
testing most vigorously against sim
liar declarations by candidates or
platforms pledged against the mod
fication of this law.
This influence has been evident iG
Maine as well as elsewhere in the
United states and it would seem
high time that they were reminded
that sauce for the goose is sauce for
the gander' and that the temperance
interests of this country have as
much right to expect outright decla-
rations of the position of candidates
and PAL ties upon this issue as the
wet interests Of the country have IA