The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-12-13
A Bold Declaration

The activities of the Anti-Saloon League are con-
troled by body of eminent clergymen. All Of us
are familiar with their efforts which brought about
the adoption Of the Eighteenth Amendment and the
enactment of the Vostead law. The public is famil
lar with the dominant influence they gained in
American politics under the efficient generalship of
the late Wayne B. Wheeler. 1t is generally known
that this organization, started by a handful Of
preachers at Westervils, Ohio got far that they
to control both the Democratic and the Repub-
lican parties so far as prohibition is concerned.
But where do we go from here? What is the goal
sought? What may we expect in the future?
Fortunately some light was thrown on the sub
ject at the recent meetings Of the Executive Com
mittee Of the Anti-Saloon Leag in Washington.
Rev. Daniel A, Polling Of the Marble Collegiate
Church, New York, turned on the light DR.. Polling
is also president of the International Society Of
Christian Endeavor and edtor-in-chef of the
Christian Herald. DR.. Polling said:
1--WE must capture and hold the administration of
Government if we are to finally establish and perfect
the Eighteenth Amendment.
There must be, there shall be, campaign to
capture the Democratic and Republican conventions
for law enforcement. This campaign must begin be-
fore the election Of convention delegates It must
comprehend both conventions. It would be strate-
gic blunder to concentrate on one and neglect the
other"
To understand what this means it should be re-
membered that the Anti-Saloon League authorita-
lively represents the Protestant evangelical churches
in its prohibition activities That includes its &C
tvites legislative lobby both at the National and
State capitals In effect the league is the political
arm Of these churches and more particularly, per-
hapS, the Methodist and Baptist churches because
of their greater membership.
What DR.. Polling demands, therefore, is that there
shall be union of church and State with the church
in control of the State. There be other mean
ing to the statement that I'VE must capture and
hold the administration of Government. There
must be- there shall be, campaign to capture the
Democratic and Republican conventions for law en-
forcement."
That's what the founders of this republic sought
to guard against for all time when they thought
fully and so carefully framed the Constitution of the
United States Familiar with the history of Europe
and the danger to liberty in any union of church
and State, they sought to establish religious liberty
forever in the new republic and to make absolutely
impossible any union of church and State.
Any citizen familiar with the Constitution knows
that it doesn't pretend to guard against union with
any particular church but any church at all. So
the prohibition to union goes with equal force
against the Catholic, Methodist Baptist, Presby-
terrain, Epscopalian Jewish, Lutheran or any other
church.
IT, then, the Ant-Saloon League captures and
and agent. "the administration of Government
in order ito finally establish and perfect the Eigh-
tenth Amendment" it will have captured the adj
ministration of Government for any other purpose
the churches may see fit to promote. That means
notification OF one of the most fundamental and
vital principles of the Constitution.
DR.. Polling deserves public thanks for his frank
declaration of the leagues bold purpose. 1t may
serve to put real friends Of liberty and the Constr
tuition on guard