The Temperance Movement

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THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.

We listened to an eloquent speech, the other night, from the lips of one of the “great guns”—one of the chief apostles—of the cause of Temperance Reform. It was delivered before an assembly of young men, the occasion was one to inspire even the dullest speaker, and the result was one of the most stirring appeals we have ever listened to—full of severe invective and fine imagery and sounding sentences delivered ore rotundo. The audience were all delighted, applauded vehemently and went home, talking of the eloquent orator and his able discourse.

But what had been said during the evening that was tangible—we will not say sensible? Apparently the meeting had been called together for Reform—but what measures had been proposed to bring about that reform? The evils of liquor drinking had been most vividly set forth—the curse that it inflicts on the community had been most forcibly depicted—the suffering wife, the desolate children had been pathetically alluded to—the liquor-sellers had been duly denounced as harpies who preyed upon the lives and purses of their fellows. But that was all. That there existed a necessity for a radical cure for all this evil was strongly urged but no practical remedy was suggested—the speaker confined himself to generalities.

This is the great trouble with the Temperance Reformers. There seems to be a sad lack among them of the practical element. They are over-zealous to be wise. In their disdain for what they call “half-way measures” they neglect to avail themselves of any measures at all. They clamored for a Maine Law, and after a while they got one. The People and the Press were wiling that it should be tried, and waited patiently to see what would come of it. The issue of that experiment is well known. It brought about a reaction in the popular mind, the effects of which we are at this moment feeling. Those who have opportunities for examination well know that at no previous time was there so much liquor drank as at present. The very papers that advocated that measure have dropped it, and Neal Dow, its originator, on his first appearance in New York a short time ago, met with the coldest and most ignominious reception.

Let the temperance men recollect that half a loaf is better than no bread. Let them unite with well meaning men who are not so ultra in their opinions, but who yet see the necessity of Reform. Let them enter the lists once more and fight hard for a Reformed License system which shall be strict and efficient. Let them in conclusion keep a sharp eye on Adulteration—that monster-evil which is killing more people in a month than the pure article would in years. Let a little practicality enter into their schemes and something may be done though less should be talked about.