The hydraulic press., 1859-06-18
VOL. |. NO. AZ
Temperance Reform.


Our modern civilization is of kind to
produce an excited condition Of the mind,
and mobility of organization which create
an appetite for false stimulants that was
comparatively unknown to the earlier civili-
cations. We are not quite adapted, yet, to
our exalted position, and sustain ourselves
by draughts of temporary strength which
curse to eternity. The temperance reform
comes in amongst the other forces of the age
as restraining power, to prevent too gen.
eral abasement of the mind to ruinous ap-
petite thus exhibiting that nice adaptabili-
ty to occurring exigencies which characteri-
zes all the works of the greatprinciple. Such,
in brief is the theory of the celebrated De
Quincy, who further philosophers upon
temperance reform in the following manner:
'eThe most remarkable instance of a COM
bned movement in society, which history,
perhaps, will be summoned to notice, is that
which, in our own days, has applied itself to
the abatement of intemperance. Naturally,
or by any direct process, the machinery set
in motion would seem irrelevant to the OBJ
iect: if one hundred men unite to elevate the
standard of temperance, they can do TINS
with effect only by improvementsint their own
separate cases: each individual, for such an
effort of self-conquest, can draw upon no
resources but his own. One member IN a
combination of one hundred, when running
race, can hope for no cooperation from his
ninety mine associates And yet, by sec
ondary action, such combinations are found
II c,J o1o+ +oio oaHf frArY
every confederate pledge, in some shape or
other that he will give them his support,
thenceforward they bring the passions of
shame and self-esteem to bear upon each
members personal perseverance. Not only
they keep alive and continually refresh in his
thoughts the general purpose, which else
might fade; but they also point the action
of public contempt and self-contempt at any
defaulter much more potently, and with more
right to do so, when they use their influence
under license, volunteered, and signed, and
sealed, by the mans own hand. They first
conciliate his countenance through his intel
lectual perceptions of what is right; and next
they sustain it through his conscience, (the
strongest of his internal forces,) and even
through the weakness of his human sensibil-
tiles That revolution, therefore, which no
combination of men can further by abating
the original impulse of tempt tons, they Of
ten accomplish happily by maturing the sec
ondary energies of resistance"
This is the philosophy brought to bear
against a great public evil by such associa-
tions as the Washingtonians, Sons of Tenn
perance Temple of Honor, and a hundred
other societies, more or less similar to theses
II ~, ms
sion has had its day of prosperity, has SER
we'd to re-awaken public attention for time
and then subsidized into sphere of more quiz
ct and gradual usefulness. All have done
good, and many yet exist to do more good.
The latest organization devoted to the tenn
perance reform, and one which at present is
creating considerable enthusiasm, was spon-
taneous product of San Francisco society,
and bears the attractive and suggestive name
of ''The Dashaways." The original club now
numbers, after brief existence, over one
thousand members, and has established an
Asylum for Inebriates on the plan of the one
in New York, except that it is not aided by
the State. 1t presents, however, some pecu-
liar features, which are succincily stated by
the Pacific Methodist:
Members of other temperance reform or
ganizations are excluded. No Templar, Son
or Knight can obtain admittance. We are
not sure that we understand the motive for
this restriction, We have heard it sugges-
ted that the design of it was to keep out
class of ultraists whose identification with
the Club it was supposed would be prelude
cial to its prosperity.
The moderate character of the pledge is in
striking contrast with other temperance So
ceties. The obligation is simply not to
drink any intoxicating liquors for six months.
A member may buy or sell by wholesale or
retail without forfeiture of membership
he is only pledged not to drink. '
Whether these peculiarities, and especial
ly the limited duration of the pledge, will
remains to be seen. But even six months
abstinence is better than none, and will
doubtless lead some men permanently to the
path of virtue and temperance who would
else never have regained it. Therefore, sue
cess to the "Dashaways," and may they have
imitators in every town throughout the I'm
ion, as they already have in many California
towns where temperance reform is most bad
ly needed.
DR.. LARDNER, a scientific Englishman,
known to Americans by his lectures, is dead.
He was man of great requirements, but
will be chiefly remembered by posterity be-