The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-06-21
hdia1a Folk Then
and NOzC
Chicago Tribune)

Attorney General Gilliom's stand against intol-
Grant repression and dctatoria fanatcsm in Indiana
is winning support, of it outspoken and of
it with reservations for the protection of citizens who
agree with Mr.. Gliom but are tmid in the open. 1t
is the latter aspect which is significant.
Mr.. Bennett, who went to Indianapolis for the
Tribune found that the courts reluctant to take
hold of many liquor cases, fearing what the Anti
Saloon League would do if displeased with the dis
position of the The attitude Of the courts does
not need much more illustration than that given by
the Supreme Court of the State which has withheld
verdict in the contempt case of the Rev. Mr.. Shu-
maker for nearly year. Mr. Shumaker is superin
tendent of the league in Indiana and he approx
mates being the actual government of the State.
The league and the Khan have done something
hardly applicable to Indiana character Stevenson of
the Khan is in the penitentiary and he seems to have
authority of sort there. 1t seems to be based
on general dread of consequences. Shunlaker
is still at the top of the heap and there is no ques
ton of his authority 1t also is based on fear of con-
sequences.
Meredith Nicholson one of IndanaS favorite
writer's and writer to whom Indiana invaluable
saws of this change of character 1--WE living in
an atmosphere of suspicion and timdity. Our good,
old clean Indiana-the Indiana of James Whitcomb
Riley-iS gone and DO not know Wnen IL Will pc re-
stored to u.s.
Indiana had distinctive place in the American
family The characteristics of Indiana folk in many
respects were their own popularity. They were a
pleasant dependable type of Americans representing
wholesome social order distinguished for admirable
qualities. One thought of Indiana folk old New
England folk are thought Of They had their dis
tinguishing ways but the distinction in amiabiity
neighborliness savvy, honest dealings in the truest
social sense tolerance and common sense. They were
home lovers and they liked their neighbors. They
were good Americans and they could give the other
fellow elbow room: They could grin when they
couldn't agree They had their convictions, but they
did not want to burn the fellow who had different
ones They preferred to go fishing. They shouldered
their nluskets when there was need and when the
need was they went back to their homes
They had much more pleasure in shaking hands
than in gouging eyes. They did not quarrel with
mans religion and if they thought his habits were
disreputable they said he was loafer or bum but
if the bum had occasional days work IN him they
were willing to give him credit for that Indiana was
once picture of American life pleasing to everybody
How few fanatics able to disort these quail
ties into the fear suspicion intolerance and narrow
mindedness which seem now to prevail is mystery.
Shumaker and his inquistors and Stevenson and his
black caps made lemon of as good an apple as
America
Indiana win get rid of this when it gets rid of
the cause. The cause is apparent enough. The mys-
terry is how 1t ever got chance to work in such soil