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FOREWORD
By
GEORGE
s.
CHAPPELL
MY collaborators have asked me to speak a short piece ex–
plaining our objects and aims, if any. This will be neither an
apology nor an argument. Having read practically everything
dealing with prohibition we are convinced that never, until now,
has the matter been fairly presented to the public. Our main
object, then, is to be fair.
A glance through these pages will make ·clear to the most
ardent Dry or aggravated Wet that we have taken no stand for
or against prohibition. The worst that can be said of us is that
we are tight-rope walkers, maintaining our balance by exhibits
for both sides. \Ve admit it.
If
we can only keep our balance or,
possibly, increase it, we will feel that we have done a good
work.
If
you believe, with Mr. F. Scott McBride, that the Anti–
Saloon League "was born of God and has been led by Him,"
you will find herein much to support you.
If,
on the other hand,
you consider a Ramos Gin-fizz the clearest evidence of divine
dispensation, the late Senor Ramos of New Orleans will tell
you how to assemble one of these first aids to existence.
In a word, we have approached our task in a spirit of sweet
reasonableness, trying always to remember that temperance, as
defined by so restrained an authority as the Encyclopedia Bri–
tannica, "means
strictly
'moderation,' although it has acquired a
particular
meaning in connection with intoxicating liquor." Let
us keep in mind these differing interpretations.
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