Milford chronicle., 1932-03-04
Are We Progressing?

| Since lue SuIllSSl TeCOIuS Ol man
have retarded the steady progress oi
races and nations, and have time
and time again thrown all gains to-
ward a humanitarian existence
back again into centuries of bar
barism.
These two great evils have
wrought more havoc, brought more
desolation and caused more de-
struction of the natural resources
and productions of mankind, which
is necessary to the full development
of true civilization, than a score of
any other evils together, for civili-
zation, learning, culture and Chris
tianity means no more to these evils
than do individuals or life.
All are trampled down and ruth
lessly destroyed by its sway, and
the sinister spectre Of them still
hang over races, nations, and homes,
pouring dismay, fright and suffering
into the hearts of men, women and
children. Are we progressings?
For twelve long years, while peo-
pie of every nation looked anxious
| ly on, the statesmen of these nations
have bee nattempting to build an au-
thoritative peace machine, and what
have they accomplished?
We still cling to ou: primitive
ideas concerning many things; how
| truly Edward Clodd sums it up when
he says: Scratch the epiderm of
civilized man, and the barbarian is
| found in the derm."
The criminal offenses of war, with
it's atrocious crimes, can in meas
ure be covered over and be appeased
for in the name of victory, freedom
or patriotism, but what name in all
our language could we use TO cover
with glory and to appease the often
ses and evils of intoxicating liquors.
with its subsequent debauchery OF
men and women to the level of the
beasts?
Always it has added to the hor-
rors of war, being used centuries
before Christ by the pagan warriors
in order to add fury and frenzied
courage to the barbarian hOrdes in
their tribal cOmbats, and we have
the .unrefuted information that it
was used in the late World W9r for
similar purposes by some enterpris-
ing war-lords. Are we progress
sing? -~
When we arose in our might sew
enty some years ago and struck the
death knell to slavery, we were
rightly conscious of making pro-
gress; for studied in the light of
history, that was a great achieve
ment, since slavery had been an
other seourge of the human race
since the days of the early Egyptian
and Phoencian dynasties. What
would be the condition of the United
States today if slavery had not been
wiped out?
Again we thought when VIC out
lawed the liquor traffic few years
ago that we were making progress
with another long stride. But are
we? If not, why not? What has
happened? Why have the rejoic-
ings of the good folk, the good ia
Tiers, the good mothers, wives and
children been turned into dismay?
For few years after the enact
mcnt of the Eighteenth Amendment.
we as a nation held up our heads
proudly in the consciousness of a
great victory gained over the demon
rum, and of the beneficience thereby
bestowed by our country upon it's
peoples.
The citizenry evidenced loyal ac-
quiescence in the decisions of the
national polity; crime wa sdiminish-
ing; jails were being emptied and
everywhere throughout the country
were seen a general raising of the
standard of morals and of living
conditions.
Then discomfort began to grow in
some quarters. An organization,
with unlimited wealth at its COM
mand, cloaked under the disguise Of
charitable sentiments for the poor
mans welfare, began an artful plan
ming to bring discredit and defeat to
one of the greatest civil laws, deal
ing with human events, which was
ever passed by any nation of the
earth.
AS long as the Anti-PrOhibition
Association confined its movements
within the realm of politics and that
of the secular press it did not cause
serious alarm, but when it became |
emboldened and raised its Gorgon |
Head within the precincts of our
protestant churches; within the !
walls of our Christian homes; with |
threats to invade our public schools,
then it is time for the wise and
prudent ones of our citizenry to TO-
Gus attention to this monster and
take stern measures to strike, and
strike hard at its snaky head.
Are the good and true men and
women, who have striven for the
betterment of social and civic con-
1itions; who have helped this nation
attain a new concept of freedom;
who Loyalty worked for and prOmot-
ed the lofty principles and high
ideals of justice and government
which have made it an independent
power, second to none, now to stand
by helplessly, with hands tied by
press, as well as other
actors, while this thing menaces
he very foundatio nof our govern
nent and our national life?
Thoughtful citizens realize the
crave fact that prohibition has not
ret achieved the results so earnest
y hoped for; that intolerable condi-
ions, through the improper work of
he enforcement agencies exist ev-
anywhere, but theyalso sadly realize
he fact that the activities of the