The Issue in Maine by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 7, 1911

The Issue in Maine

By C. M. S.

PROBABLY never in the history of the world has an election in one small State in one nation created so much interest and real anxiety in all parts of the world as has the approaching election in the State of Maine. By that election on September 11, the people of that State are to decide whether the question of the prohibition of the liquor traffic shall be again submitted to the people. If the majority decide for resubmission, it will mean that the prohibitory clause will be stricken from the State constitution, and that the wheels of progress in that State will be turned back half a century. For that length of time Maine as a State government has stood for temperance, and her prominence in that particular has made her conspicuous to all the world and a recognized leader for the better element in all the world. And her influence has been felt. There has been a steady progress toward temperance reform in educational and scientific circles since the adoption of prohibition in Maine, and that State has been looked to as a veritable bulwark by the temperance people of Europe as well as of America.

For years the money-loving brewery and distillery corporations have been using large sums of money to create an impression that prohibition in Maine is a failure. This has been done by systematic press bureau work, seizing upon every incident of violation of the temperance law in that State, padding out its details, and publishing it in every newspaper to which they could gain access. The fact that their intoxicating beverages are advertised in so many of the large newspapers has been a key to unlock the reading columns of these periodicals to that class of matter. The liquor power has felt that if it could just now overthrow the Maine prohibitory law, a great point would be gained in swinging back the other States that have left the liquor ranks, and materially checking the rising tide of temperance in this country.

A remarkable feature of the campaign in Maine is the reception of many memorials from the people of other countries, in which the citizens of Maine are strongly urged to maintain their prohibitory law at all hazards. These memorialists freely acknowledge that the people of Maine have been the leaders in this important move for a better civilization; and they see and strongly deprecate the evil that would result should Maine take a backward step just now. That evil would be incalculable; first, upon the future of the State itself, and second, and more far-reaching, upon the people of all nations who have been struggling for freedom from the demon of intoxication. If the liquor forces win in Maine on September 11, it will not be because the majority of the people are antagonistic to prohibition, but because those who are opposed to it have had their ranks added to by those who do not appreciate what is involved in the matter, or who look upon their right of suffrage as one of their immediate financial assets. The power of money is great over those whose consciences are seared and calloused, who have no regard for the welfare of their fellow men; but the votes of such count as much as do the votes of those who vote from the most conscientious convictions and are most strongly interested in human welfare. We trust that Maine will take so firm a stand for temperance at this election that no body of men within the State will ever have the courage to call again for resubmission. C. M. S.