Nevada national., 1859-12-31
THE NEVADA NATIONAL
TExPERANC E ORGANIZATIONS.

| A"eJ""e "nicn is attending The Tenn
persnce organization in this State under the
name OF " Dashaways" naturally arrest.
the attention of thinking people. aud the
eoquiry is inevitably suggested. What will
itamouat to-" What advantage will /,
be to society, to individuals. to families. or
10 tue country'" We are old enough 10
have witnessed the rise and decline Of seye.
raj Temperance Organizations, aud have
made 1t a part Of our thoughts to pbiloso-
phise little upou their value to mankind.
aud as to :he causes which originate them,
ana give them, for time, . uiae spread
popularity.
To one proposition all will agree-what-
ever is founded upon reason, and commends
itself steadfastly, at all times, aud under all
circumstances, to the ordinary nationality OF
the human understanding, ever meets with
constant regard and unwavering support
So long as q man obeys the teachings Of
reason, so long as be is free from the misera-
BILE goadings Of selfcensure; 20 long does be
enjoy the pleasure of self commendatiou,
so long does he, at the same time, maintain
and augment his self respect, and become
inspired with that pride upon which is found
ed the scorn that 10 felt for an unmanly or
debased act.
We would be the last to put the "brakes"
on benedcent movement /; but at the same
time. feeling aware that false and unsuc-
cessful remedy only tends to nx a disease
more permanently upon the body, we would
lose no time in recommending sound
theory and rational practice.
Every step made in the right direction is
true progress; whereas every one falsely di-
rected must discourage the cause of truth,
and end 10 discomft and confusion.
Socialism to an extent that is practiced
in all well regulated communities, is pro-
ductive Of the highest mutual benefit; but
when II degenerates into "Fourierism." its
prejudicial influences are such as lead its
once devotees TO adopt ideas on the other
extreme. no less at variance with the true
welfare Of humanity, and to sbnegate the
rational principles of the social compact.
Freedom in its true under standing and
wise practice, is a condition necessary to
the progress and happiness OF n people; but
when 1t is made synonymous with lcen-
ciousuess, lawlessness and anarchy, it brings
ruin, where despotsm would only bring
oppression; and thus Freedom. in its real
Significance, Is held in less esteem.
1t may be said of every good cause; that
when it is attempted to be advanced by mis-.
directed efforts, it is Frustrated to greater.
or less extent. rather than promoted.
Temperance, likewise, on the same princi-
pie, seems to encompass within its broad
embrace, all other virtues; but when the de-
graded inebriate rises up in intoxicated dis
gust, from the noisome gutter, among wal
lowing swine, or from the offended managers
OF domestic animals. and turns to the other
extreme, in the inmoderate aud false abuse
Of alcoholic stimulants and takes an oath
that he will never taste another drop, he
manifests an irrational excess Of disposition
and nature. which does not belong TO the
sale man, the moderate man, the man Of self
control-the trimmer between Scylla and
Charybdis, and We are not surprised, at any,
time. to again hear Of him in the degraded
depths OF drunkenness.
A man exercises no elucability on his NOR
al nature when be allows himself to fly from
one fanatical extreme to another.
We must get at the root Of the evil and
this consists essentially in moderating a
mans conduct in all things. under the lights
OF reason and by the brakes" Of frmness
which is inhexible under any circumstances,
and which will prevail in defiance of all
temptations, and false allurements that can
by any possible means, surround him.
The joining Of Temperance Association
may prove. to some, temporary cure for
wretched infrmity; but it will be only tenn
porary, for in all probability the man will,
sooner or later, lapse into the original dis
ease. which will, for the respite, prey upon
him with increased virulence and destrue-
zion.
Experience and observation, no less than
the study OF the moral and intellectual ma
ture-the elements Of thonght and action
teach us that ; true and permanent reform
OF al intemperate man. can only be effected
by virtue Of the reasoning faculties. and that
drmness which shall spring from their exer-
else, that shall bring about and change the
laws Of thought and action from excess and
extremeness. to moderation and propriety.
He must temper and subdue his nature: be
will then be temperate man indeed. But
until then, we cannot count upon any stable |
reformation. He must be "born again." or
we cannot calculate when the "old man"
may become again supreme, and he be once
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