Evening star., 1932-07-06

Adoption by the Democratic National
Convention of a plank in its platform
n favor Of the repeal of prohibition is
viewed by the pubic as evidence that
The amencment is doomed. In view of
Republican action in favor of resub-
mission, some suggestions in favor Of
immediate action have been made.
General opinion upholds the belief that
the change will come within reason
able time.
1T is a heartening victory for sin
cerity," says the Baltimore Sun Cn-
dependent Democratic), land hearten-
ing demonstration of the ultimate re-
sponsiveness of party institutions to the
demand of the rank and file" The St.
Louis Star Times independently recog-
nizes that it measures the amazing
sweep of popular antagonism to the
eighteenth amendment" while the
Providence Bulletin independently de-
clares: 1.-THE plank is complete victory
for the forces that have, for years now,
been advocating change away from the
rigors and distresSes of the amendment.
1t is another milestone on the shorten
ing course to repeal. It is but matter
of time and procedure now before the
country is freed"
while it promises not much. If any,
more than did the Republican plank on
the same subject" according to the
Columbus Ohio State Journal (inde-
pendent Republican,, cit is more clearly
stated, and is less designed as a catch
all for both kinds of sentiment upon the
liquor question" Pointing out ksIRS
"the Democratic party is out 10 We
open, and it must stand or fall On the
clear-cut issue that it has raised" the
DOf1aiY7ioY1 -NaWs (indp-
pendent Democratic) feels that ''un-
doubtedly enemies were made, but mil
lions of persons who believe in political
courage have or will become its friends" !"
1T is a matter of extraordinary graft
hcation." AYERS the Charleston, Is. c.
Evening Post CDemocratic), Ito find a
political party speaking out plainly on
an issue which has been befogged and
confused for ten years, which the Re-
publican party no longer than fort
night since mugged up in tortuous
phrases. Here is something positive
at last. The Democrats have assumed
a real leadership before the country
and they are marching in the direction
of sanity and right For that alone
they deserve the support of all sensible
citizens"
Instead Of the meaningless straddle
of the former convention on booze" re-
marks the Portland Oregon Journal
(independent) "the Democratic dele
oates have burned all bridges behind
them with a determination to call for
direct repeal Conventions at all
times" continues the Journal, should
he outspoken and direct, and never
moro than at a time like this"
"The commitment to repeal policy
bv the Democratic party" as inter-
preted by the Birmingham Age-Herald
CDemocratic), seems audacious only so
long as one clings to the outworn
formulas of platform making. The en-
oulfing majority registered in behalf of
repeai is a true expression of the sweep
and depth of popular thinking on this
score. Delegates from the South and
West competed with those from the
North and East in placing themselves
in the repeal column. And this was not
an emotional flare, and it was not In
resnonse to the maneuvering of any
faction or combination of factions. 1t
was merely the voicing of an irrepres-
sible conclusion. 1t was the utterance
of a great moral resolve that colossal
bllnder must be quickly rectified, that
monstrous wrong shall be promptly
cured The Age-Herald halls this as a
magnificent advance, and regards modi-
fication of the Volstead law as the ap-
propriate preliminary to the bigger
emancipation
"Inasmuch as much Democratic
strength lies without the Eastern sea
board" remarks the Asbury Park Eve
ming Press independent Democratic),
"the repeal plan is probably poor poll
tics 1t may lose more votes than 1t
draws. But If it is poor politics. it is
at least honest politics. November will
tell whether the two are compatible"
The Newark Evening News (independ--
ent), holds that the vote tor repeal