Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-03

This is Government Of law and not of
license. This is a Government of lib
erty under law as the expressed will of
the majority.
We denounce anarchy and condemn
bolSheviSm and yet, there is more dan
ger to our institutions and our liberties
from our disregard of law than from
anarchy and bolshevism. That which
should now appeal to every good citi-
zen, that which is greater, even, than
prohibition, great as that is, is law
observance. Every good citizen realizes
this, knows it, and should not hesitate
to stand for it.
Americans pride themselves on being
good sports. This is the time to show it.
The will of the majority has been ex-
pressed in no uncertain way. It should
be obeyed and observed until it is
changed in the way prescribed by our
fundamental law.
I talked with Senator a short time
ago. He said that before prohibition he
mao drunk his champagne and his high
balls and enjoyed them, but that since
prohibition he had drunk none and
would not drink any so long as the law
stands. That spirit is the essence of
good citizenship.
A few years ago we were honored
with the presence of Gen. Foch, the
commander-in-c of the united
armies in the World War He came
from country whose habits and Gus
toms are different from ours. He
doubtless had lived according to those
customs. He knew of our prohibition
law and at the banquets he attended he
refused to drink intoxicating liquors
Why? He gave us the reason himself
He said that so long as he was in the
United States he proposed to observe
the laws of the United States. This
same attitude was taken by a great
Italian general and, also, by famed
japanese general. What a wonderful
example to American citizens! How
can We as good citizens afford to do
less?
Shortcomings of Others.
1t is charged that Senators and Repre-
sentatives drink liquor. This is given
by many of those opposed to prohibit
| ton as an excuse for drinking. There
are some Senators and some Repre-
sentatives who drink. regret it. They
and those who hold Office and have
| taken special obligation to obey and
maintain the Constitution and the laws
OF the land should do SO. Their failure,
however, does not excuse any citizen for
violating the laws of his country. In
my judgment, far fewer number of
Senators and Representatives drink now
than did 20 and 80 years ago. I have
seen far fewer Senators under the in
nuence OF liquor during the last 10
years than did during the preceding
10 years. They will get fewer and fewer
as the years go by.
have received many letters of late
asking II Congressman are excepted
from the laws to enforce prohibition
or course not. No exceptions whatever
are made in the law and no exceptions
should be made in its enforcement.
Papers opposed to prohibition are
Wrongdoing on the part of a Repre-
sentative and, especially If he should be
charged with violating the prohibition
law, they assume him to be guilty. No
man. 70 matter what his position may
be, should be condemned without a
hearing. 1t Is fundamental principle
OF our Government that every man.
rich or poor, high or low, is presumed
innocent until a jury finds him guilty.
1t is commonly said by those opposed
to prohibition that many Congressmen
vote dry" while they drink LIQUOR.
That Is no valid argument against pro-
hibition. I am sorry that it may be SO,
but this just emphasizes the strength of
the sentiment of the people back home
Instead Of showing a weakness in prohi
| bltion sentiment, it demonstrates its
strength. Representatives are, pri-
marily to represent the majority views
OF their constituents, and that is what
| many OF them do regardless of their
| personal views No man. however. NO
matter what position he may hold un-
| Ger the Government, should disregard
! his solemn oath and violate the law If
the land even though the majority
sentiment of his district or State NAV
approve such course. He should SET
! such an example of law observance az
Will command the respect of every gen
ulne citizen and give no man an excuse
| oy MS act to disregard any law of his
| country.
Liquor Benefits Disputed.
Is 1t possible that there is good citi-
| zens who fear that If they and other
| good citizens would scrupulously obey tha
law the benefits would be so great and
so apparent That there would be no
nope OF modifying or repeating the
law? That was suggested by a pronoi.
nent newspaper writer a short time ago
NO man has ever yet pointed out anv
good that liquor does to any one, excent
| possibly, in some cases of sickness or
poisonous snake bite. The majority Of
good and reputable physicians declare
| against its use as a medicine. That
question Is not involved in prohibition
not prohibited. Good citizens DENY
themselves nothing of benefit by oh
! serving the law. Is it possible that
| they will set an example of disregard of
| law for the transient pleasure of drink
ing? One of the big business men of
this country publicly declared some
time ago that so long as prohibition is
the law OF the land he proposes to OBJ
serve 1t, at least while he is within the
Jurisdiction OF his country. That
should be our attitude.
l saw a short while ago that a bill
had passed the Senate Of one of our
States, requiring that the evils of alco-
hol should be taught in the public
schools. That is a wise step. The
eighteenth amendment was adopted
only after so or more years of edu-
as TO the evils Of intoxicating liquors:
its wastefulness, the poverty it brought,
the happiness 1t destroyed, the sorrow
it led to, the criminals it made, the
murders it caused, the corruption it en-
couraged, the devastation, the degra-
dalton, the suffering, the evils it wrought
TO individuals and to society were
pointed out and exposed. The ineffec-
ttveneSS of license laws, local option
and Statewide prohibition were DEM
onstrated and brought national prohi-
billion. / am afraid we thought then
the work was accomplished and looked
solely to the National Government for
enforcement There should be, and
there must be, cooperation upon the
part of municipal, county and State
officials with the national force. The
friends Of prohibition must concen-
trate their influence to bring this about
Then we will see the goal in sight The
same sentiment, the same activity and
the same power that brought about the