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1 1 The Commoner
S ' WILLIAM J. BRYAN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
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yOU 21, NO. 4
Lincoln, Nebraska, April, 1921
Whole Number 744
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iFromDinon must oe
Enforced
(An answer to an inquiry.)
ffihe prohibition amendment Is a permament
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v.iporson, whether he be wet or dry, expects it to
lSf repealed. It must, therefore, be enforced.
'.ISflnre to enforce would invite a reign of law-
veSsness which would menace orderly govern
'"4S5nt. Respect for law should not depend, upon
,,$88 citizen's opinion of the law; it should rest
wSnjboyalty to government. Criminal laws are
?:2;a-ilnfcnrJor ririmnr.lv frr Mi nan who likft them:
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Jtmea do not need mem. a criminal law is m-
ttsaed for those who do not like it "No thief
t;oTor felt the halter draw the good opinion of
' ' tlSSlaw." Law is the crystallization of public
" '; S omion and public opinion when duly embodied
" SBfW must prevail or popular government will
Vtfflmfi a farce. Turning from a general nron-
''-TiS .
Ltion to a particular question, I answer your
utry'-by' saying that the opinion rendered by
'vTOorney1 General Palmer as he was leaving p-
jSSrwas most unfortunate; first, because the-new
iffiiinistration should not have been embar
rassed by an important opinion at such a time,
which it must necessarily indorse or repudiate;
Sond, because the opinion is a misinterpreta-
of the spirit of the law, if not of the let
and encourages violation. If the opinion
nds, medical colleges will soon be established
toy convert liquor dealers into tonjc doctors or
5fteral debility physicians. While the prohibi-
tjS law, only applies to beverage liquor, its
oatorcement cannot be evaded by merely chang
fiS the name from drink to dose or by substitut-
a doctor for a saloon-keeper. If the Palmer
ofenion results in wholesale evasion of 'the law,
seems likely, it will have to be modified by
new attorney general or remedied by act of
gress. Prohibition was adopted by deliberate
of the American people and it cannot be re-
aled by official opinion. W. J. BRYAN.
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SECRETARY LANSING'S BOOK
Hon. Robert Lansing, ex-Secretary of State
ma just issued through Houghton, Mifflin Co., a
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dwlsRrtA hawoati PrPHirtAnt Wilfinn and himsftlf. at
iicwva m .-.- . . . ,
Sae peace conference, with a defense of his views
gnd course. It is not only interesting reading,
8ut it is a valuable side-light on that very im-
jrtant international gathering. History can-
ffiot be written amid the excitement attending
Krceat events either events of war, or peace con
Rerences. The triumphant note of the victors
find the djrge of the vanquished drown jout the
KKore harmonious notes. It is not until time has
fitted out the wheat from thQ chaff the true
Krom the false that history can be written with
Accuracy. When the time arrives for the chroni-
ling of things' as they were, rather that as either
lde wanted them to be, Mr. Lansing's book- will
irve a useful purpose. He was in position to
know what was going on, and now that the war
is over and the President under whom he sepved
is no longer the head of the nation, Mr. Lans
ing is in position to render a service not only to
his own nation, but to the civilized world. His
book will find its way into the public libraries
of this and other countries, and into the private
libraries of those who desire full information on
the great problems with which the world is deal
ing. Several other peace delegates have presented
the doings of the conference from their point
of view and this nation and the world will bo
glad if ex-President Wilson's health permits him
to put on record his own review of that great
conference in which he played so conspicuous a
part. The desire for the truth ami the whole
truth is greater than tho friendships and the
antagonisms, which, for a time, color contem
poraneous events. W. J. BRYAN.
THE STRENGTH OF SOCIALISM
On another page will be found a London dis
patch quoting from a speech of Lloyd George
expressing a fear of socialism. If the British
Premierwill examine closely he will find that
the greatest strength of socialism liesin its op
position to war and to the burden of prepared
ness. Every million added to the appropriations
for army and navy increases the ranks of the
socialists. The surest way to weakening the so
cialist movement is to stop war and remove war
burdens. '
CARDINAL GIBBONS
The death of Cardinal Gibbons has called
forth expressions of sympathy from every class
and section. He was much beloved by people
of all churches. He was a splendid type of man
and citizen. Strong in mind, firm in heart and
high in ideals. He was a spiritual force in the
nation and active in the larger questions of na
tional and international interest.
W. J. BRYAN.
WHY NOT STATE OP JEFFERSON?
In the northwest they are talking of making
the state of Lincoln out of parts of Idaho,
Montana and Washington. And now comes the
suggestion that the name of South Dakota be
changed to Roosevelt. Why not a state of
Jefferson? Or is the Declaration of Independ
ence forgotten?
AN INTERNATIONAL WRONG
On another page will be found a quotation
fi'Om the Literary Digest showing that the
United States is allowing its territory to bemused
as a base for a conspiracy against China's anli
opium laws. The Jones-Miller bill-should be in
troduced in the new congress and passed at once.
WHY NOT, ALWAYS?
The railw'ay strikers in the south and the
employers in the packing houses are threaten
ing to ask for an investigation into the high
salaries of officials? Why not a PROMINENT
commission to investigate these things before
strike or lockout? W. J. BRYAN.
Thomas Jefferson
April 13 th is the day celebrated as the an
niversary of the birth of the illustrious common
er, Thomas Jefferson. He was the first great
Democrat of our nation and the greatest con
structive statesman democracy has produced
during all the world's history. At this time, when
the entire Federal government is in the hands
of ho opposing party, the Democrats of tho
United States may well turn to Jefferson for
wisdom and to his political principles for en
couragement. On another page will be found
a quotation from his first inaugural in which
he set forth the principles of government which
he decmejl essential, and by which ho intended
to shape his administration. I call special at
tention to St few of tho principles contained in
the portion quoted and to bo found in other
parts of that memorable address.
First, let it bo remembered that he expressed
his trust in God. On this subject he said,
'Acknowledging and adoring an overruling
Providence, which by all its dispensations proves
that it delights in the happiness of man her ewjW
his greater happiness hereafter with' all these
blessings, what more is necessary to make us a
happy and a prosperous people?"
The Democratic party builds today, as Its
great leader built, upon a belief in God in His
Justice and in His Love.
Second, "Jefferson believed in the republican
form of government. There were in his day
pome Hamilton who was the most conspicuous
of tho group who thought the government was
not strong enough and feared that it lacked
energy to preserve Itself. Jefferson answered
these as follows: "I believe this, on the con
trary, the strongest government on earth. I
believe it the only one where every man, at the
call of the law, would fly to the standard of the
law, and would meet invasions of the P' ')llc
order as his own personal .concern. Sometimes
it is said that man cannot be trusted with the
government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted
with the government of others? Or have we
found angels in the forms of kings to govern
him? Let history answer this question."
That was democracy in Jefferson's day; and
that is democracy today. No one can be a Demo
crat who lacks faith in the wisdom, the justice
and the strength of popular government. 4
Let me quote again from Jefferson's inaugural:
"Still one thing more, fellow-ctizens a wise and
frugal government, which shall restrain mqn
from injuring one another and shall leave them
otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of
industry and improvement, and shall not take
from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.
This is the sum of good government, .and this
is necessary to close the circle of our felicities."
A great deal of emphasis has been placed up
on the middle clause of that passage, namely,
"shall leave them otherwise free to regulate
their own pursuits of industry and improve
ment' ud the word FREE has been especially
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