To the President of the United States,
Secretary of War, and the Secretary of the Navy.
We, the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention, assembled in San Antonio, Texas, May 16-20, 1942, earnestly request that you give consideration to a matter which is of vital concern to all citizens. We believe that the manufacture of alcoholic liquors and the sale of these beverages to the civilians and armed forces of our country, in this time of national crisis, seriously imperils the welfare and safety of the United States.
We wish to remind you that the consumption of intoxicants lowers the efficiency and lessens the skill of men who operate the complicated machinery and intricate weapons which are used for national defense. Soldiers and sailors require alert minds and strong bodies while they endure the tremendous strain and ordeals of modern combat. Liquor makes a weaker army because it lessens human efficiency and lowers the morale of the armed forces.
There are other facts which we offer for your consideration. The Government has urged farmers to raise more grain to feed civilians, soldiers, and the unfortunate peoples abroad; yet it permits brewers and distillers to use annually one and three quarter million tons of grain for the manufacture of spirituous liquors. And again, the Government, in spite of the prevailing shortage and rationing system, allows breweries and distilleries to purchase seventy percent of their peace-time consumption of sugar. We believe that such essential products as grain and sugar ought to be used to better advantage in this hour of distress.
It is our opinion that the moral aspect of this question is of greatest importance. Young men in uniforms lose their identity somewhat; thus they are more disposed to fall into temptations. Every honest and legitimate means should be employed to protect these our sons, from the baneful, heartless, and hurtful effects of alcohol while they give sacrifical service for country and freedom.
We wish to protest against this sinister business which is so potent in lowering the morale and efficiency of the nation and which strikes with deadly effectiveness at the morality of the citizenry. Especially do we ask for your sympathetic and effective aid in an effort to eliminate the sale of alcohol to the members of the armed forces of America. To this end we petition that the proper authority in each branch of service issue an order which will stop the sale of all alcoholic beverages in army camps and naval bases and stations, and we request that local governments receive hearty encouragement as they seek to maintain a wholesome environment in the areas about the camps and bases. We believe that such an order by you will save many of our sons and do much to strengthen our cause in this hour of emergency.
William Jennings Bryan, the idol of democracy, served only grape juice at social functions. Josephus Daniels, as Secretary of the Navy, outlawed intoxicants from that branch of the service. Woodrow Wilson approved war-time prohibition. You have, therefore, the most distinguished precedents for the action which we ask at your hands.
We recommend that the President of this Convention appoint a committee of seven to present this memorial to the President of the United States, to the Secretary of War, and to the Secretary of the Navy, and that this committee be instructed to use proper methods during the year which will lead to the attainment of the objectives named in this memorial.
During the present year Baptist colleges have taken the lead under the direction of the Education Commission in assembling and transmitting information on problems of war and peace. The Southern Baptist Convention last year in the annual meeting at San Antonio, Texas adopted the following resolution (note change in paragraph five in both resolutions):
THE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Southern Baptists as loyal citizens of the United States are cooperating and participating in all branches of the present war, including the Army, the Navy, and the Air Corps, and
WHEREAS, The prosecution of the war for the maintenance, perpetuation and extension of our four freedoms, well known and enjoyed by American citizens in our constitutional democracy, may not accomplish the purposes for which it is fought unless a just and righteous peace follows the termination of the war, and
WHEREAS, It will be too late to make plans for a lasting peace if constructive and comprehensive plans are delayed until the conclusion of the war, and
WHEREAS, Our Baptist colleges and universities have on their faculties a number of renowned scholars in the fields of knowledge utterly necessary for making a worthy peace, and
WHEREAS, Three American statesmen who are in the highest ranking positions as chairmen of committees in the United States Senate, the treaty determining body of our Federal Government, Senator Tom Connally of Texas, Senator Walter F. George of Georgia, and Senator Josiah W. Bailey of North Carolina, being chairmen respectively of the Foreign Relations Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Commerce Committee, are graduates of our Baptist universities, Senator Connally of Baylor University, Senator George of Mercer University, and Senator Bailey of Wake Forest College,
Therefore be it RESOLVED, That the convention request the Education Commission to procure, assemble and transmit to our own three Christian statesmen a body of facts and principles involved in a Christian peace with the earnest hope that these facts and principles may be used in planning the new world order which may be in accordance with the sovereign will of God so that the paths of all mankind may ultimately be paths of peace.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Southern Baptists as loyal citizens of the United States are cooperating and participating in all branches of the present war, including the Army, the Navy and the Air Corps, and,
WHEREAS, The prosecution of the war for the maintenance, perpetuation and extension of the four freedoms, well known and enjoyed by American citizens in our Constitutional Democracy, may not accomplish the purposes for which it is fought, unless a just and righteous peace follows the termination of the war, and
WHEREAS, It is too late to make plans for a lasting peace if constructive and comprehensive plans are delayed until the conclusion of the war, and
WHEREAS, Our Baptist Colleges and Universities have on their facilities a number of renowned scholars in the fields of knowledge utterly necessary for making a worthy peace, and,
WHEREAS, The two American Statesmen who are in the highest ranking positions in the United States Senate, the treaty determining body of our Federal Government, Senator Tom Connally of Texas and Senator Walter F. George of Georgia, being chairmen respectively of the Foreign Relations Committee and the Finance Committee, are both graduates of our Baptist Universities, Senator Connally of Baylor University and Senator George of Mercer University,
Therefore, Be it RESOLVED, That the Convention request the Education Commission to procure, assemble and transmit to our own two Christian Statesmen, and their colleagues, a body of facts and principles involved in a Christian peace with the earnest hope that these facts and principles may be used in planning the new world order which may be in accordance with the Sovereign will of God, so that the paths of all mankind may ultimately be the paths of peace.