New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-11-13
TEMPERANCE IN ALL THINGS.


advocates of temperance. Indeed, public senti-
| ment is unanimous on this point, although
there may be differences of opinion as to the
| best method of accomplishing the desired end.
| Temperance means moderation, and though
| technically applied to abstinence from the use
of intoxicating fluids, has much broader sig
MITIGATION than that. The individual who abb
jures all distilled and fermented stimulants as
| deadly poison may, nevertheless, be intem-
perate in his language, in his pursuit of wealth,
in his eating in his political opinions, in the
qualification of any one of his passions, his
preiudices, or his appetities. 1t is even posi-
BILE to preach Temperance" Unexpectedly.
| There are certain enthusiasts, for example,
| who demand the entire adjustment of alcoholic
stimulants Against these -prohibitiOnists
the great body of the medical profession takes
decided ground Nine-tenths of the physicians
and surgeons of the civilized world prescribeal
cOhol, and medicines of which alcohol is a car
dinal ingredient, in their practice. They say
that it is one of the most important articles in
the materia medca, and that nothing can sup
ply its place. Sometimes they administer 1T
neat sometimes diluted with water, sometimes
medicated; and while admitting as any sane
and honest man admits, that it is, morally ana
physically, poison when taken 10 excess, they
argue that under certain conditions, and In cer-
tain cases, its use is not only advisable, but es-
sental to the preservation OF life and the res
toratiOn of health.
Believing that the most profound patholo-
gists and psychologists of the age understand
the matter somewhat better than non-profes-
SIGNALS. we accept their doctrine and practice
as philosophic and correct-the more especially
rs the results of their treatment confirm their
theories.
The rational friends of temperance side by
side with whom we stand, frankly concede
that alcohol is sometimes necessary as sani-
| tary agent. Mr. Greeley grants this in a recent
article published in The Independent, and only
fancies, whose zeal is untempered by know
ledge, venture to deny it.
| Here, however, a difficulty occurs. The Ii
duors of commerce are so generally adulteratet
that It is perilous to give them to sick persons.
! All the brandies, runs, gins, whislys, &C., are
more or less empoisoned. Each contains some
ingredients which provokes n thirst for ardent
spirts-and thus drunkards are made. Under
these circumstances sensible Temperance mem
should be the first to appreciate the importance
of pure stimuant for medical use.
This desideratum is applied to the public and
the faculty in the form of Hostetters Stomach
! Bitters, which is not merely a wholesome
stimnlant but an invaluable vegetable tonic,
corrective and Alternative. In manufacturing,
advertising and selling it-for sanitary pur-
poses only-the prOprietors claim to be con-
tributing sound and substantial plank to the
Temperance platform.
There is good deal of cant talked and writ
ten by some of the self-elected reformers of
the morals OF mankind. 1t is the misfortune OF
many of these persons, and of their disciples,
to confound the use of diffIlsibble stimulants as
an antidote with their misuse as beverage.
The spirit by which they are animated Is
spirit of blind bigotry aud intolerance, akin to
that which, in the Olden time, led to the mas
sacre of st. Bartholomew, the crusade against
Albigenses, and many other foul wrongs COM
mitted in the name of religion. Thomas Hood,
the wittiest of philosophers and the most philo-
sophical of all wits, characterized that narrow
minded and aggressive piety which Is contlnu-
ally pecking at whatever does not strictly con-
form to its peculiar ritual as mag-pety, and
there are good many birds of the mag-pie
feather who would fain obtain the exclusive
Ol
The doctrine of these individuals lacks con-
sistency. The same arguments-if they deserve
the name-which they urge against the en-
ployment of alcohol and alcoholic tonics in tho
treatment of disease, or for its prevention, APP
ply with still greater force to most of the
favorite specifics of the faculty. Yet they
have not word to say against opium, mer1
curry, strychnine iodine, quiuine, and other
deadly posons, which are prescribed daily by ,
thousands Of medical men,. Are these less dele
FERROUS than the pure alcoholic stimulant used
as a medium for diffusing the healing infiu-
ence of wholesome herbs and roots through the
systeml The most incorporating ultra-pro-
hibitionist must admit that they are not.
But he has n rejoinder in reserve. Tho
powerful indictments referred to are prescribed
in limited doses. Bounds are affixed to their
use by those who recommend them. And is it
not the same, we ask, with regard to medi-
Gated spirtuous stmulantsl Every bottle of
Hostetters Stomach Bitters, for example, IS
accompanied by directions for its use. These
directions are as clear and explicit as those in
physicians prescriptions, and even If they
happen to be violated through inadvertence,
no serious consequences ensue. double or
triple dose of laudanum, or Of stTychnine, or
of mineral salt, may kill, and very often
does kill, but a fve-fold, or even ten-fold,
dose of the Btters would produce no such
terrible effect. Opium is an infinitely stronger
intoxcant than any variety of alcohol ana IS