The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-03-01
Original. Correspondence.
For the Herald If Freedom.
The Temperance Question in Kansas.

>
Mr.. EDITOR "A candid expression of
opinion on the Temperance movement
seems to be called for just now. The
meeting of Tuesday evening indicated
clearly that while there was general
agreement as to the end to be reached,
there was decidedly no harmony in the
selection of means. With due respect to
the opinions of others, herewith give
you my own view of the matter, believ-
ing it TO be founded upon the correct
principle.
So far as immediate measures are con-
concerned, to check the progress of In
temperance in this city, an organized ef-
fort on the part of the friends of the
cause, kept up without any tagging of
interest, will doubtless result benefcially.
In the present distracted state of Society,
harsh measures would only tend to in
crease the disorder and strengthen that
mobocratic feeling which prevails already
too extensively. "A social organization,
with sufficiently entertaining pro-
gramme to reach out and induce the
loose-footed and such as are inclined to
drink, to attach themselves to it, would
probably be the best thing that could be
done at present. A society of this kind
must have some other attraction than
merely the promotion of Temperance, in
order to insure its continuance. J That
can be the dominant object of its exist
ence but in its minor scopes it must
comprehend variety of operations
For it should be the design of such socie-
ties to render their meetings more attract
i've than dram-shops. l believe the pres
ent movement is gotten up to bring about
that end.
But there is greater work yet for the
people in the cause of Temperance
Kansas is rather an unique countryside
ferent in almost every respect from other
States-young and impressiJle, and is
just the place to commence this reform
intelligently. Before distilleries are es-
tabIished here, the Legislature should
pass law forbidding the naanufacture
Of liquors, making the infraction of the
law penitentiary offence; also a law
prohibiting the sale of liquors. attaching
the severest penalties in cases of violation.
With these advantages secured, Society
has only to pursue the right kind of pol
icy to keep itself free of Intemperance.
There has been too much of a One
Ideaism in past Temperance reforms.
People have gone only half way in the
work they have taken away the unnat-
ural stimulant, but neglected to subsli-
tute the natural; they have deprived the
inebriate of the pleasurable. feelings pro-
duced by the dram, { for with many the
only time they feel foretaste of heaven
is when they are half drunk! without
affording any other enjoyment. Herein
lies the cause of the failure of past move
ments. 1t is simply ignorance of the
needs of human nature. And until So
ciety follows up Legislative enactments by
supplying places of amusement, reading
rooms, lectures, theaters. games, pleas
ure grounds, grounds well furnished for
gymnastic exercises, literary and social
societies, &c, DC, not great deal of per-
manent good will be effected, though ev-
cry page of your statute books be filled
with Maine Laws"
From the old, whose habits and opin-
ions are fixed, nothing much in the way
of reform can be expected. They are
fearful of innovation, too fond of cling
ing to time-honored usages and old ways
of thinking. We must 'let them slide,'
and look hopefully to the young. The
young are radical and have very little
reverence for an old custom on account
of its age; but they must receive a
correct education, begun at Home and
finished at Manual Labor Free Colleges,
in order to make them constitutionally
Temperance men and women.)
have given you slight hint of what
l believe is the only practicable and ra.
tional method to go about the Temper
ance Reform with any certainty of last
ing benefit. 1t is a work of time and
earnestness. j. H. GREENE.
LAWRENCE, Feb. 90, 1856.