nineteen hundred and forty-six - Amazon Web Services

PROCEEDINGS 123
ALCOHOL AND THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT
"It is safe to say that at no time in the history of the American Temperance
movement has the need of constructive and substantial support by the church
been so vital and so definitely linked with responsibility for the future of the
temperance movement." So says Mr. E. H. Cherrington, who has been associated
with the temperance forces of our nation for many years. Since the
repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment the liquor industry has been steadily
growing.
During the war it was less disturbed than any other. Its plant remained
intact and it was given "holidays" from war production. Its normal business
went on, one of its best customers being directly and indirectly the military
forces of the nation at home and abroad. While pouring out products that
polluted life, interfered with steady labor, debauched soldiers (enlisted men
and officers), disrupted families, defied law and multiplied crime, the leaders of
the liquor industry with a show of humanitarian sympathy and patriotism were
active in relief and welfare movements, thus winning popular favor. For example
in one Southern city the top man in one of the large distilleries was made
leader in a movement for Child Welfare, and a group of breweries contributed
$30,000.00 to the Boy Scouts.
At the same time the liquor industry expanded its advertising, placarding
many of the greater national weeklies and monthlies as well as the newspapers.
(And somehow the paper shortage did not greatly affect the space at their
disposal.) It invaded the homes of the nations through the radio almost every
hour of the day. Today, therefore, the fact of liquor drinking, advertised
attractively and without any hint of its real and lasting damage, causes less
revulsion among average citizens than ever before. The public hears much
about the pleasures of drinking and the generosity of the liquor industry, and
so little about its evils that it is easy to believe that nothing need be done .
about it.
That is why the churches of America should arouse themselves and give
their support to the temperance forces that have had the courage to keep on
fighting against great odds. In every state worthy anti-alcohol organizations
are continuing to fight. "Alcoholics Anonymous" is doing a remarkable work
with individual victims of drink. In some states the Anti-Saloon League is
showing great power of combat. The churches should cooperate with the
organizations that are pressing the battle.
LOCAL OPTION GAINS
The campaign against beverage alcohol is showing steady gains. Local
option laws, opening the way to precinct and county elections on the wet-dry
issue, are constantly extending dry territory. Kentucky has 120 counties; 88
are dry. Alabama has 67 counties; 50 are dry. Georgia has 159 counties; 123
are dry. Mississippi has 82 counties; all prohibit hard liquor by State law, and
44 prohibit the sale of beer. North Carolina has 100 counties; 75 are dry.
Oklahoma has 77 counties; all prohibit hard liquor by State law. Tennessee has
95 counties; 86 prohibit hard liquors. Texas has 258 counties; 140 prohibit
both hard liquors and beer, and 19 allow beer sales only. Arkansas has 75
counties; 25 are dry, and 16 townships and 15 towns besides. South Carolina
has 46 counties, and the people of the State by popular referendum have voted all
liquor out by a majority of nearly 60,000, yet the liquor-controlled legislators
have refused to obey this mandate of the people to enact a State dry law.
Florida has 67 counties; 16 have voted out hard liquors. Louisiana has 64
parishes; 16 are bone dry. In these 12 Southern States there is a total of 1210
counties; 774 of them have outlawed liquor under repeal.
THE WAY TO FURTHER PROGRESS
At the meeting of the National Temperance and Prohibition Council in
January of this year conclusions were reached and recommendations were made
to the moral forces of the nation, which we pass on for the consideration
of our people.
"It is highly important that all groups interested in. social progress shall
consider the liquor question in relation to their programs for social betterment.
We therefore urge the following: (1) That our churches and denominational