The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-04-04


But, if those objections could lie made know
publicly, possibly the cause of objection
might be removed, or, perchance, they nigh,
discover that their objections were irn,gin.
airy, rather than real, and, bs those means
| powerful auxllialies might be enlisted in
eradicatng national evil.
| In pursuing this subject, there are diff.
cnltles, and witha, deiicacies. And it is 10
be regretted that it is not done by one more
competent and discreet, for, the passions
OF men are easily excited, and evil may
arse from that which is designed for good.
One objection, which many entertain, and
one which the present writer entertains.
against Temperance Societies, u.s. that they
do not strike at the foundation of the evil
they do not RESTRAIN the exhilarating. if they
do the intoxicating slop from their own
memhers-ln word, they do not GO far
enough.
This objection cannot he urged now as i,
could once; for it is notorious that the pre-
cepls Of the early advocates for temperance
were without example-that, even while
they engaged in the business of their Soc-
cites, they INDUCED in the same poison
against which they warned others. But.
upon their system, much Improvement has
been made. Total abstinence is the ONLY
condition upon which our names can now be
enrolled. Thus far, very good-bu,, is it.
in fact, total abstinence from intoxicatjn.r
liquor? The answer must be in the nera-
tive. Is it, in fact, total abstinence from
ardent spirits think not-for it does not
prohibit the use OF wine, ale, and cider.
The question Then at issue between these
societies and these directors, is, do the
liquors alluded to, contain alcohol, or, ar
dent spirit! In answering this question, it
is unnecessary to dispute about words: for.
it matters not whether alcohol exists in the
above liquors in It's pure state, or in combn-
alton with other substances. 1t is sufficient
that they are stimulating and Intoxicating.
But Brande's table teaches us, that Madei-
ra wine contains "A per cent. spirit. Lis
bon nearly 10 per cent. Malaga II per
cent; Burgundy l6 per cent, and Cham
palgne averages more than 12 per cent.
Ale nearly 9; Cider, highest average, near.
ly 10 per cent; while Brandy contains a
little more than SO per cent. Allowing the
above table to be correct. it follows, that 2
glasses of Madeira, 3 glasses Of Lisbon, 3
of Malaga, 3 of Burgundy, 4 of Champagne,
3 glasses or glls of Ale, and glasses, or
y gills Cider, highest average. contains
about the same spirit as one glass of Brandy.
Now, the question is, what proportion of
rum, brandy, and gin do men drink | mean
men who do not drink to excess, men who
take a little every day, compared with that
of wine, ale, or cider The question is sub.
mtted to the candor of those who abstain
from those most stimulating drinks, and vet.
indulge in the others. We can ali answer
1t to ourselves, so far as our observation has
extended. 1t must, however, be admitted.
that very many indulge too freely, and some,
from whom we should expect better things.
Ii the view thus taken is correct, does if
not follow that the temperance superstruc-
ture Is not upon good foundation. That.
IT the use OF ardent spirit as an habtual
drink is unnecessary or injurious, the use of
vine, ale, and cider, as daily and habitua,
drink are also unnecessary, and TO con-
siderable extent, injurious.
But, the objeCtors to this abstemous, this
cold water system, will ask, "what would
you have men do, would you have them re-
fuse all the blessings of heaven? ?" This.
sir, is asked by the Incorporate rum drink
er. answer, would not Heavens bless
lngs are abundant without the addition of
daily stmulants. But, extreme exipencies
reqnlle extreme efforts. If we offer our
selves as examples TO others, let it be an ex-
ample worthy of imitation. Confirmed bab-
its are strong, and, if the confirmed rum
drlnkcr ever turned from the error of his
ways, however advantageous it may have
been to him, it was not done without an ex-
treme effort, 1t was not without personal sac
rlfice and practical self-denial.
It Is otherwise with the man who uses but
little, and that seldom, he can sign pledge
for total abstinence from brandy, or rum,
without the least sacrifice of appetite, or
perhaps, feeling. And, it is probable, that
most of those who have enrolled their names
even the ladies alSo-as abstainers from
rum, brandy, and gin, have done it without
one faint desire for indulgence in it. But,
propose to them abstinence from ali those
liquors above alluded to, and perhaps, in.
rlude tea and cotfee,-in fact, propose 10
them pure cold water system, and, if ac-
cepted, here will be an example worthy of
imitation, an example which none can gain
say.
Finally, sir, the object of this communi-
cntion is not to justify, nor excuse those,
even, who occasionally indulge in the use
OF brandy or rum; nor is it to embarrass or
impede the operations in favor of temper
ance; but, on the contrary, to suggest a
system which shall leave the former with
out excuse, and free the latter from the
charge of Inconsistency. q.