The depth of the hatred with which Teutonic peoples regard
restrictive liquor laws is curiously exemplified by what is pass- ing in New York. The reformers there had, it was believed, squelched Tammany, and set up an honest government ; and everybody was delighted that democracy had cleansed itself from a foul stain. The reformers, however, led by Mr. Roosevelt, insisted that the strict liquor laws should be strictly carried out, and that in particular no beer should be sold on Sunday. The Germans revolted; the rougher voters revolted ; the non- 'Puritan section of the Democrats revolted ; and it is believed that in the November elections Tammany, the most corrupt of modern caucuses, will recover its power. The fact, if it is -one, speaks badly for the civic patriotism of New Yorkers, and badly also for the common-sense of the reformers. They will wreck the Ten Commandments for the sake of an eleventh which was not proclaimed on Sinai. They were bound to carry out the laws; but they could have agreed to make them sensible.
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