The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-09-18
CoyespOudence of Tie G.mden Journal.

Correspondence Of tie Oanden Journal
Mr. Editor That most excellent paper,
the Hume Journal (Sept. lst.) quotes largely
from, and seems much pleased with the tone and
spirit of all article in the Westminster Review,
headed THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ERRORS OF lee
rorAlIsM." Now we have i respect for the
opinions OF the Editors Of the above named
Journal, on almost any subject, and have always
been much inclined TO agree with them in the
assertion that " the Home Journal is not a level
where truth runs any danger" but, We are
tempted to differ from them when we hear II
proclaimed, that Temperance, which is admitted
to be "a good cause, necessarily has for its cham
pons "ERRoR AND HYpocRIsY' and dislike We
ry much 10 sec journal, which has such wide
circulation over the land, epen leaning in favour
of arguments which are intended to establish
the position, that moderate drinking is beneficial.
The article referred to in the Review has some
remarks, preliminary to the immediate discus
sion OF the quest:oh-one OF which Is, sour
purpose, then, he it understood, is not to cast a
stone of obstruction in the path Of the lem
perance movement, but to argue a scientific
question, which has practical bearing On the
conduct of individuals. 1t is not "our pur.
pose" in this communication to argue scien.
t6c question:" but to point out to those who
are more deeply interested in the result, "a
stone of obstruction in the path Of Temperance
in the form OF highly interesting and captva-
ting but iusidious argument in defence Of the
Use of alcohol and to warn our Temperance
friends that it Lehooves them to be on the alert,
when Review Of high and wcighty authority
admits an article, the tcudehcy Of which is not
10 do qood, allowing that it does no harm. We
have learned to believe that scientific investiga
tions were intended to eliminate great truths,
the knowledge of which would augment the
nowcr Of man and render him still more capable
Of reducing the resources OF nature to his use
and advantage. Now an effort to prove that
alcohol is food and not poison, even if success
full. can be 10 no good purpose; it can merely
demonstrate fact which will be Of no practical
utility, unless the writer is cherishing some uto.
plan scheme by which he intends to nourish
millions Of wretched creatures upon the very
oall which mbitters their cup of happiness and
# he shows not to the world the advantage Of
truth so boldly set forth, let him remember that
there are those who will dare to use his knowl.
edge to the disparagement Of good cause and
throw dust in the eyes Of the weak and simple.
minded by crying out, 10! the teachings OF Sci
encc Let him reflect that the high and well
deserved reputation Of the Westminster Review
gives to anything, which may appear in its col
umns, tremendous weight in the opinions Of
many, and if those opinions, which die not in
day, are formed for evil, he has much to account
for, and lays up food for many hours of remorse;
for, says Milton, books Il. e. the opinions they
inculcar) are not absolutely dead things, but do
contain progeny of life in them to be as active
as that soul was whose progeny they arc; nay,
they do preserve as in vial, the purcst efficacy
and extraction Of that living intellect that bred
them"
We have used the term msilious in reference
to this scientific homily for the reason that it
falsely asserts that advocates Of temperance have
generally assumed {" that whatever is true Of the
erccSsirc use Of alcohol is true also in a proper
tonate degree of the modrrate and occasional
use" We affirm that, generally speaking, tenn.
perance men have taken no such ground and we
are acquainted with many, enthusiasts in the
cause, who would be willing this day to fold up
their banners and retire from the field could they
be assured that those TO whom they preach would
always drink bit moderately. The faacy lies
with the writer and not on the side of his oppo-
ncnts he should have stated the second position
thus: lie who drinks moderately is in danger
of drinking to excess but no, he makes an abso-
lutte misrepresentation for the sake, it would
seem, of building an argument which would lead
the thoughtless to look complasantly on the
ravages Of the destroying angel and raise not
an arm to stay his progress. And then how
strkngy inconsistent is it with the tenor of the
whole article, to declare that he desires to throw
no obstacle in the path Of Teetotasm, and yet
throughout to speak Of Temperance rcformers
as his opponents, and Of Alcohol rs though it
were the water of life. Mr. Editor, we have said
enough to accomplish our purpose, viz: to call
attention to the fact that those who speak with
authority are using their talents to thwart glo.
rious reformation, and that too under the pre-.
tence of making scientific Investigations. The
article is an able one and we hope that some
David in your ranks will hurl stone at this
transatlantic giant. CAMDEN.
The price of sugar has lately advanced con.
siderablv Tho New York sugar market, we