The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1851-06-18
-Es.D D0HA"~
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
VOLUME XXI.
Communications.
FOR TIE CHARLOTTE JOURNAL.
Temperance VS.. Abstinence.

lOIlcaslng beversges-bs properly termed
"TempefaDce1"
This is question which those who claim
The exclusive title of Temperance Reform.
sn force Us to answer 10 our own way
Unquestionably, both drunkenness and
gluitony are objected to 10 the code Of moral
AVS we profess 10 consider our guide. Il is
equally certain that no such law, ss entire
sbslinsnee from drinks or meats, 10 coun,e.
nanced, except for moderate intervals of time
during which il is eviden, ,hs, the law does
not encourage any exhibition Of undue pride
/! or presumption in The Nszari,e."
We Claim TO be friends Of temperance
IN oil things" and are no, disposed 10 con fine
that phrase TO abstinence from yinous or
alcoholic drinks.
A man may s~il coffee, smoke segars, or
slat his stomach with meats and sauces, and
.lill consider himself an apostle Of ie importance
truly While " his eghbors," who drink an
/" honest and a sober glass and enjoy other
good things IN proportion, on proper occa.
sons-sre "hred INTO with denuncia,ions
or spoken Of with tho i'll ceiling Of a depfavsd
instinct
We distinguish no authority in the Bible
which permits " water drinkers," or "coffse
drinkers. "" segar smokers" tobacco chew.
m" "g'uttons" or covetous men, or any
others. to bear false witness sgan,, their
nss sbbou" who drink wine or other liquors
"in moderation !"
II cannot bs true. that these moderate
men" are the cause Of Drunkenness 10 those
Who do not follow their example Of modera.
non.
II cannot be just TO charge those who sell
lquor-with all the intoIicstion Of such
as use liquors indiscreelly. This is not The
teaching read in the Scriptures.
Tho sellers Of liquors have often been
known TO exert q strong Influence 10 ropel IN.
temperate men from their bouses OF reception.
lfthoss who propose by so.caed Item.
perancs lectures and lodges" to reform socie.
~, used half the personal oxeriions many
grogshop keepers have, to correct iniemper.
snce, they would bo saved many sarcasms
they subiec, themselves TO by idle parsdes
and nonsense.
II is most probable lha, fefmen,ed liquors
were known before fermened bread Full.
ness OF bread " 10 expressly objected 10 in The
Scriptures. as much as " excess" Of wine"
snd Of "sirong drink or spirits, both these
description. Of liquors being well known IN
he verv earliest ages.
There are some y no ind the mssl Ives advan
t'gsd by daily liquor an moderation by
daily bread" snd feel disposed calmly TO
hank God fot both. with quite as much proprie
Y and sincerity as some who make " long
pnvers about It.
The popular mind has been worked up TO
such pitch bv mugl,og truth and ialseheod
together. that almost every one hesltstes TO
say ~ord 10 defence Of temperate drink.
ing" for fear Of insult
There exist men, Who cannot drink dis
ctssily, and who certainly do we'll 10 refrain
altogether. Who ouah, TO be encouraged 10
lon any decent association!which will assume
The rssponsb,li,y OF controlling their excesslv Q
spps,i,ss for drink Liquor does not agree
With them obviously, and they cugh, to quit II.
o. And those alec who do not want 1t should not
take it. II requires 20 prophet, 10 adjust
these difficulties.
But the cause Of true temperance does not
advance by an attempt 10 associate the tenn
perate driuksr with the drunkard." No
rule OF law or justice permits that, and such
are not the arguments TO be discovered IN
he Bible by fair inter pretalion.
Let every man be convinced 10 his own
mlnd." appears TO be n good saying, and to
shew individual responsibility mall thngs; but
this phrase OF toleralien does not suit our
modern saints.
We cannot agree Tint waier drinking +"
is the cause Of ersry good, or ,ha, "wine "
or strong drink " are the genuine sources
| Of speyu evil in The world. This i. simplify.
ioR a ilile too much. !, is a po.r way to
reconcile others to our peculiar sins or ex
cessss by charging violently against one whch h
does not suit our taste or convenience; or TO
refer the sias Of the drunkard TO the grog.
seller, instead Of stging the exercise Of his
own powers Of selfresiraint.
Are there not professod f" ,rater drinkers
w',hou, respect for any opinion but their
own; who seem to possess neither charity,
generosity nor truth. to spare On the con
trary. nigh, they not profit, in these respects
by Initiating the examples Of some they affect
to dsspise, bee ause they do not reach their
aandsrd Of moral excellence.
grave looking Son of Temperance
may turn up his nose a, q " fumscllc " or q
d"'iler," but purchases expenslvely work.
Cd mahogany furniture, highly vanished by
means Of spirits Of vino" which is necsssa'
fyto dissolve the gums, Of which the varnish
made. An elderly gontIemam with what
b" considers "proper pride" has his house.
nicely painted inside and out, with white lead
me vinegar used in forming this paint being
strengthened by tho manufacturer with low.
priced whi.key.
We advise no one to take dose Of quuine,
70 prevent an sgue. who is Conscientious
aooo' enceursging the dis,illeries, for alco'
IA IL l.... II ~