Are We Prohibitionists?

Are We Prohibitionists? By Susa Young Gates I SAT at a banquet table of the Daughters of the Pioneers the other evening when the resolution was read concerning the ob- servance of the 18th Amendment. The resolution had received the endorsement of some other prominent social groups of women in the state and was offered for consideration by the Daughters there assembled. Naturally the vote to approve was unanimous. I thought one clause in the resolution might well have been omitted: "so long as prohibition remains a law of the land." This was a very suggestive gap in the fence, and no one would need to hurdle one's conscience with this easy egress through the very center of it. Then someone asked, "Does that mean we shall observe it in public and private? Even at social functions where others may serve wine or wine concoctions — even brandied mincemeat?" Discussion flew around the tables. Coffee was likewise discussed as a social beverage. Should one make oneself conspicuous? was asked. Now upon the answers to these questions hangs the law, and one might add the prophets. For those who have taught the Word of Wisdom for nearly a century, these questions should seem unnecessary. Are they? I ask you, my friends and especially my sisters. For, believe me, women are the social arbiters in all group life. What mother or grandmother who drinks tea or coffee or wine in private or at social functions can be surprised if her son or grandson smokes or even turns bootlegger? Follow the question through, my friends, right to its logical conclusion. Do you tolerate the lowered standards which smooth over cigarette smoking and the looseness of moral fiber now so prevalent in certain social circles? The answer to this question as far as some Church members are con- cerned is, unfortunately, self-evident. Am I my brother's keeper? Are you not? Can you, as an elder in Israel, a worker in the temple or in the Relief Society, fail to recognize your position as example-setter in this Church and in this community? Says Pres. Hoover in his first public announcement, as quoted by the Literary Digest: "But a large responsibility rests directly upon our citizens. There would be little traffic in illegal liquor if only criminals patronized it. We must awake to the fact that patronage from large numbers of law-abiding citizens is supplying the rewards and stimulating crime." The Springfield Republican says: "The

550 IMPROVEMENT ERA May. ioi<j nation must incur a terrible hazard if it long tolerates crime and outlawry for the sake of an appetite." President Hoover's speech is characterized by the Washington Star as an indictment of those who "subjugate their duty as citizens to their appetites as indi- viduals." "Shameful indeed is the indictment," confesses the Mid- dletown (N. Y. ) Times Herald. "But the worst of it is that we know it to be true and can, in conscience, only plead guilty." Naturally, the Washington correspondents have much to say concerning the means the president is likely to bring into operation to carry out his purposes. "The first obvious step in building up a public opinion against violating the dry law will be to make it unfashionable in Washington," writes Clinton W. Gilbert in the New York Evening Post, and "there is not much doubt that the very great social power of the White House will be used to force respect for the law in official circles." And within a day or two after the inauguration, it was being remarked in Washington, according to a New York Herald-Tribune correspondent, that the city, "both official and otherwise, is drier today than it has been in several years." Remember that manufacturing or drinking any kinds of spirituous liquors is breaking both the law of the land and the law of the Church. It is a known fact that Congress and all Washington has been most culpable in this matter. The example of official law-breakers in high political office has had the same fatal influence on the nation that failure to observe this law by our high Church officials would have through Zion. How proud we are of the rigid adherence to this law maintained from his youth up by our honored President Heber J. Grant and all his family; nor are we less grateful for the noble example set by our Apostle, Senator Reed Smoot, in the halls of Congress. Never has wine or spirituous liquors been served in his office or his home. When he first went there, in pre-prohibition days, he refused every offer to stock his office or home with the usual gifts of wine and whiskey sent to Senators and representatives. Nothing but water, cool and pure, has ever graced his table in public or private. More than that, he is and always has been a strict ob- server of the Word of Wisdom down to the last detail. No man or woman can rise up in this Church and quote President Grant or Senator Smoot as having weakened, by a hair's breadth, the force and power of their teachings and examples in this important issue before the people today. Senator Smoot in a recent address came out in the strongest terms in support of the prohibition law: "If you want to know what I think about the prohibition law. I'll tell you," said Senator Smoot. "If I had my way I would

May. 1929 ARE WE PROHIBITIONISTS? 551 enforce it from the president and congress down to the humblest citizen in the country. We can't have respect for the law if it applies to but one class, and this holds not only with the prohibition law, but with every law." It requires courage — yes — to turn down your wine glass or coffee cup at some special club or social function when all others about you, even perhaps some who should and do know better, are taking a little sip "for shame's sake." But, personally, I don't like cowards, do you? A Prayer Give us this day, O Lord, our daily bread. The bread that feeds the hungry human soul, The life for which the Savior's blood was shed, The spirit that should conquer and control All evil forces, till from pole to pole The shining pinions of the dove of peace May soar, and in one united whole Men dwell where all the laughing loves increase, Where battle flags are furled and drums of war shall cease. Give us, O Lord, a thirst for righteousness Such as the sages had in days of old. If Thou wouldst comfort us in our distress. Remove our hearts far from the greed of gold. Let not the baser passions that controlled The mighty nations that exist no more Destroy the precious heritage we hold From brave Crusaders who have gone before, Bequeathing to the world their learning and their lore. Give us, O Lord, intelligence to live For those despondent creatures of our kind Who have no hopes of happiness to give — The seeming seekers who have failed to find. Give us the blessings of the constant mind, The faithful heart, the brave, determined will, That we may leave our weaknesses behind, Give up the passing pleasures of the hill, And climb the mountain crags that give the finer thrill. Give us, O Lord, the fever of the fight. The strength of body and the iron will. Let all the scattered legions of the right Be gathered in the valley: let them still Remember they must struggle on until Their foes have all been humbled in the dust. Give us, O Lord, the spirit that will kill The baneful brood of sinfulness and lust — Lord, may we gladly come and place in Thee our trust. Provo, Utah ALFRED OSMOND.