The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-08-31

~ We have yet another indication o.
the waking up Of the temperance sentiment
ia our city, besides that already referred to,
respecting restricting Washingtonianism.
These indications thicken. On Wcdncs.
day the Pioneers had a splendid flag, said to
be larger than that presented to the Tri-
umph Co, presented to them, upon which
was inscribed the words :" Presented to
the Pioneers by the Temperance Ladies Of
Biddelord." The presentation ceremonies
took place opposite Central Hall. II was a
goodly flag, and the inscription, whether re-
galded as a delicate insinuation to the Pho.
neers that Temperance is about right, and
they ought to honor it, or TO merely state a
fact is very appropriate. These temperance
ladies know how the thing is done. The
history OF the Pioneer Company was un-
dOubtedly an instructive one to them-thcy
lel, for its early struggles in behalf Of TEN.
perancc and for the devotedncss Of its men,
bers in days past 10 the practice Of Tenn
perance, "as far as the times would admit"
and they were not willing that so much vir.
tue and such heroic sacrifices should go I'M
rewarded. In these halcyon days, when
smile takers" and Maine Law men are
allowed to DO good friends Of Temperance,
why should no, the presentation of flags to
Companies, like the Pioneer, be in vogue
Why, we are now all Temperance men, only
there is the slightest percepliblc shadow Of
a shade as to what constitutes temperance
man some supposins that it means total
abstinence from all intoxicating liquors, and
Others thinking that Temperance means three
glasses day, with an occasional drunk
when on excursions and other State occa.
sions We wish the good ladies would have
told to which mission this flag was sent, but
perhaps they took it for granted that there
would be no intrinsic difficulty in the COM
understanding the matter. But
waving the consideration of this, we hail
this presentation as good omen. All these
things are attestations TO the good Of Ten.
perance, and to the business Of the Cause
There is deep significance in the general
sentiment in its favor-this claiming by men
who drink occasionally, as well as those who
do not, to be friends Of Temperance. 1t
shows which wayathe current is setting
cannot be ignored as an element
of political power-it won't answer. No
Roadway can be made by working against it,
and therefore it has become universally pop
as much so in the minds OF the
G. smile lakcrs,n as in the hearts OF those
in favor of the Maine Law. We are glad
that this flag has been presented. It's q
noble ono, and bearing, as il does, the word
f" Temperance" it may at least cause the
Company to which it is presented to discard
such fatal ideas as tina, there can be safe
TEMPERANCE in the moderate use Of ardent
spirits. Were we disposed to DO captious,
we might say that considering the position
which the Pioneer Company occupies with
respect to the question Of Temperance That
there is little or no appropriateness in the
cir,. But we shall do no such thing, shall
no, suggest there is anything like Phariseo.
ism in the matter. It is all well. All Tenn
pcranco is bogus, false coin in our eyes,
which stops short Of restraining the drink.
ing and sale Of alcoholic liquors entirely as
a beverage, but all mankind will not believe
this, and we must allow flags to be sent on
missions which are questionable, and to mon
whose ideas Of Temperance stop long dis
lance from tho Maine Law. and for purposes
which look as we'll TO the manufacture Of
partiHan capital, rs TO spreading Of that sort
Of Temperance which means moderate
drinking every day, and which is jus, now
IN vogue in order to help sustain Hunkerism
IN this State.
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