New-York tribune., 1867-08-14
sYM
TEMpERANCE IN ALL THINGs.-AlI god %


may be differences Of opinion as to the best 9
method of accomplishing the desired end.
Temperance means moderation, and though.
technically applied to abstinence from the use
signifcation than that. The individual who
abiures all distilled and fermented stilnulants
as deadly pOsOns may, nevertheless, be in
temperate 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 prejudces, or his appetites. 1t is even pos
sible to preach Temperance" intemperately.
There are certain enthusiasts for example,
who demand the entire adjustment of alco-
holc stimuants. Against these ultra-prObibi-
tiOnists the great body of the medical profess
sion takes decided ground. Nne-tenths of ths
physicians and surgeons of the civilized world
prescribe alcohol, and medicines of which alcO-'
hol is a cardinal ingredient in their practice.
| They say that it is one of the most important
articles in the ndteria medicd, and that nothing,
| can supply its place. Sometimes they adminis-
ter it neat, sometimes diluted with water,
sometimes medicated and while admitting,
any sane and honest man admits, that it is,,
morally and physically, poison when taken
| to excess, they argue that under certain con-
dtiOns, and in certain cases, its use is not only
advisable, but essential to the preservation of
| life and the restoration Of health.
Believing that the most profound patholo-
gsts and psychologists Of the age understand
the matter somewhat better than non-prOfes-
sionas, we accept their doctrine and practice.
| as philosOphic and cOrect-the more especially
! as the results of their treatment confirm their
theories.
| The rational friends of temperance side by
| side icih whOm ace stand, frankly concede that
alcohol is sometimes necessary as sanitary
agent. Mr. Greeley grants this in recent ar
tice published in "The INDEPENDENT and only,
fanatics, whose zeal is untempered by knowl-
edge, venture to deny it.
Here, however, difficulty occurs The liquors.
| of commerce are so generally adulterated that
| it is perlOus to give them to sick persons. All
the brandies, runs, gins, whiskys, &C., are more
! OF less empOsoned. Each contains some ingre-l
dients which provOkes thirst for ardent spir-
| its-and thus drunkards are made. Under these
circumstances sensible Temperance men" should
| be the first to appreciate the importance of a.
| pure stimuiant for medical use. ..........
This desideratum is supplied to the public and
the faculty in the form of Hostetter's Stomach
| Bitters, which is not merely wholesome slim
ulant but an invaluable vegetable tonic, cor
rective and Alternative In manufacturing, ad-
vertising, and selling it-.t0r sanitary purposes
only-tke pr0priet0rs claim to be contributing %
sound and substantial plank TO the Temperance
platform.
There is a 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 diffusible stimulants az
an antidote with their misuse beverage. |
The spirit by which they are animated is q
spirit of blind bigotry and intolerance, akin to-
that which in the olden time led to the mas /
sacre of st. Bartholomew. the crusade against
the Albgenses and many other foul wrongsF
committed in the name Of religion. Thomas
Hood, the wittiest of philosophers and the mOsti
philosophical of wits, characterized that narrow-i
minded and aggressive piety which is continu-
ally pecking at whatever does not strictly con-,
form TO its own peculiar ritual as mag-pietyf
and there are good many birds OF the maS-'
pie feather who would fain obtain the exclu-
sive control of the whole temperance flock.
The doctrine of these individuals lacks con-
sistency. The same arguments-it they deserve,
the name-which they urge against the employ
ment of alcohol and alcoholic tonics in the
treatment of disease, or for its prevention,
apply with still greater force to most OF the
fayorite specifies of the faculty. Yet they have
not word to say against opium, mercury
strychnine, iodine, auinine, and other deadly
poisons which are prescribed daily by thou
sands of medical men. Are these less deleteri-'
Gus than the pure alcoholic stimulant used as y
medium for diffusng the healing influence u
wholesome herbs and roots through the system
The most uncompromising ultra a-pronipitions'
must admit that they are not
But he has a rejoinder In reserve Inc power
ful mendicaments referred to are prescribed In
limited doses. Bounds are affixed to their use
nv those who recommend them. And Is 1t n0U
the same. we ask, with regard to medicated
spirituous stimulants. Every bottle OF Hos
letters Stomach Bitters for example, is accom-
panied by directions for its use. These direc-
| tions are as clear and explicit as those In %
physicians prescription, and even If they happen
to be violated through inadvertance, no serious
consequences ensue double or triple dose OF
laudanun, or of strychnine, or OF OF mineral
salt, may XIII, and very often does kill, but
five-fold, or even ten-fod dose of the Bitters
would produce no such terrible effect. Opium
is an infinitely stronger intoxicant than any.
variety of alcohol, and is extensively used to
produce ntOxication as well as in medical treat
ment Why then is opium recognized as o.
useful curative by the same parties that utterly
prescribe all alcoholic preparationsf 1t is
| oIrro,,s bast IN ha contestant