The Columbian fountain., 1846-04-28

THE ONE IDEA OF THE TEPERANCE
REFORM.
II has been said of the friends of temperance,
that they are party ofaae idea They are ac-
cused Of having fallen into the capital mistake
Of considering the evil they oppose and the
good they prosecute, as the only ones with
which society need concern ITSELF
Can this allegation be sustained2 Is it true
that the promoters of reform with reference to
the use Of and traffic in intoxicating liquors,
are so completely absorbed in this one subject,
that all others are comparatively neglected /?
Connected as they are with all the professions,
pursuits and employments of society, are they
not equally successful in their social callings,
as those who oppose. or stand aloof from the
Temperance Reform2 Were the names of
President Hopkins Of Williams College, DR..
Woodward. superintendent and physician of
the Hospital for the Insane Of Worcester, and
the Honorable Mr.. Hoar, entirely unknown in
the community, until they signed their late a
BE address to the citizens Of Massachusetts on
the subject of temperance
But it is no new thing in this world to SUBJ
stituts repre- ach for argument; to endeavor to
awaken prejudice. where it is desired TO avoid
discussion.
The early settlers of New England were
stigmatised as men of one idea, when they vo
lustarily expatriated themselves rather than
submit their conscisnces TO the dictation Of
psrsscating hierarchy. James Ois. the da,
star Of the revolution, was thought 10 be man
Of one idea, because he resolu,ely declined to
iake of6cs under an oppressive and tyranical
government. And the patriots of l776 were
utterly contemned, as men of one idea. when
they pledged their lives, and fortunes, and sa-
cred honor, to b free or perish.
And yet there is sense in which it may be
admitted that the friends Of temperance are a
eommunity of one idea. Whatever may be
tAsir views on other subjects. they agree in one
fundamental idea with respect to the use ofin-
sexicating liquors.
Every great reform is based upon some SIM
pie truth. And its simplicity is the first ele-
nent Of its power.
In this respect there is nothing peculiar in
relation TO temperance. Error is multiform,
and requires argument and sophistry to sustain
it Truth is simple; and when presented and
understood, commends itself to every mans
conscience in the sight of Con.
The success Of the recent efforts of the friends
Of temperance, is not to be imputed to any new
developements of the evils of drunkenness.
These evils have been understood and deplored
BY every generation, from the days Of Noah to
the present time; and yet they have continued
and advanced with steady progress.
And why was this Why was not intem-
perance arrested The answer is at hand. 1t
was for want of the knowledge Of one idea, one
simple truth.
In all past ages it has been the common SEN
timsnt Of mankind, that intoxicating liquors
are injurious only in their excess. The simple
idea Of the temperance reformation is that they
injurious in their essence. Consequently that
they are not adapted to mans condition to be
used ~ beverage; that such use Of them is
4 violation Of the laws Of life; and that the ma
nufacture and sale of them, for such pur-
pose il fragrant immortality.
II the question be proposed, how the know
ledse Of this truth was obtained, so simple, so
important A. il is represented to be, and yet SO
long concealed7 l reply, that the temperance
reform was commenced as an object of chris
;sn pAilan.hropy. Its earliest friends did not
ens.ee in it, because they felt themselves to be
personally in danger. But they saw the COM
muni,y around them enduring great and in
ers.sing evil They perceived that while the
drinking customs Of society were continued,
there was no remedy, and they determined to
carry out in their own practice in relation to
intoxicating liquors, the principle which Paul
adopted and recommended to the early con-
verts 10 Christianity, in relation to meats offer
d in sacrifice to idols. n meat muks my bro