All our workers are acquainted with the action of the Congress of the United States repealing the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, subject to ratification by conventions of three fourths of the States.* This constitutes a summons for all to labor by "voice and pen" to avert ratification by a sufficient number of the several States, thus preventing it from becoming effective.
The Constitution does not name the method by which a convention shall be called; the States are at liberty to specify how this shall be done. Undoubtedly various methods of calling the conventions will be provided. Probably each State legislature will authorize the calling of a convention to vote on the repeal.
One thing is certain,—there will be no necessity for further legislation by the Federal Government until the time limit of seven years expires. This means that at any time during the seven years, when thirty-six States have ratified the above repeal amendment, it will become law by the mere proclamation of the Secretary of State. Therefore, in the future the battle for temperance will be in the States rather than in the Federal Congress.
All the forces of the Drys should organize to oppose the repeal. At this writing the Wets are sanguine that the repeal may become effective by the time Congress adjourns next summer, if a special session is called. Others think it will take much hard work to secure ratification by the required number of States. All admit that everything depends upon the strength and activity of the opposition.
The question is now largely divested of politics. It is not a question of Democrats or Republicans. The question is, Shall the Eighteenth Amendment be repealed? It is a straight, open question, which must be answered by Yes or No. Every Christian has the opportunity to use his influence in persuading others to retain the Eighteenth Amendment. If your State votes in favor of the repeal, it means one more State favoring the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment. Seventh-day Adventists should present a united front against repeal. Every argument and every influence possible should be used against it. Literature informing the people of the evils of legalizing the sale of alcoholic beverages should be circulated everywhere. Lectures on temperance by our ministers should be arranged by our churches. Mass meetings should be held where possible. What is done should be done quickly.
Alcohol is man's deadly foe. It is an enemy to civilization when used as a beverage. It is habit forming. Its victims become degraded, and constitute a menace to society. It fills the asylums with insane; it produces paupers who are a public charge and must be maintained by taxation; it deprives children of proper education and unfits them for society; it weakens the vital forces of the user and his family so that pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other debilitating diseases make dreadful inroads on both the drinker and his impoverished family. It is a consumer of funds, and takes dreadful toll from the low salaries of the poor. It cripples every other business and industry. It degrades womanhood. There is no evil like this gigantic one which threatens to invade our land, against which we should unite with all our strength. Our people in every State should perfect an organization, and by the use of literature, by lectures, by conversations, and the like, defeat the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment.
I. H. E.
*The text of Senate Joint Resolution 211, as passed, follows :
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is hereby proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by conventions in three fourths of the several States :
"Article—
"Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
"Sec. 2, The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
"Sec. 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress."—Congressional Record—Senate, Feb. 16, 1935, p. 447.
