The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-04-11
THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT

The following article, which we
transfer to our columns from the Erie
Observer, meets so nearly with our ap-
probation, that we give it to our readers
without comment ! PUP.
ltwould seem as if a general effort
were being made through the State to
revive an interest in the cause of tenn
perance, which was lost sight of almost
entirely during ;he war. A State Ten.
perance Association has been formed.
having amoung its members some OF the
leading public men at Harrisburg, and
auxiliary societies are rising up with
extraordinary Iapidity in almost every
town. The friends of the cause have
taken hold Of the matter in earnest, and
unless they repeat the mistakes of the
past, will not fail to exert most poten-
tial and beneficial influence. It must
be confessed, however, that there is an
unfortunate tendency on the part of the
short-sighted advocates of this eoform
towards carrying it to an extreme that
is always certain to rebound against any
moral movement in which their advice
is allowed to prevail. OF our sympathy
with any measure that will tond to behe-
tit our fellow.men we trust that by this
time none will doubt, and it NAV be.
therefore, that those to whom we refer
will give to our views ONE of that cona
sideration which is always due from
those who are striving in good cause
to the opinions Of their cc.labore,rs.
The fact must not be forgotten that
temperance, like religion, is subject
peculiarly of morol SuaSion, and cannot
be made successful by mere compulsory
measures or party action. Whenever it
has entered the domain of politics, the
inevitable result has been to defeat the
purpose aimed at, or, if successful, the
triumph has been simply of temporary
nature. We are not of those who be,
lieye in enforcing our own views or
modes Of life upon our fellows, any more
than we are willing that they should
enforce theirs upon us. A rigid pro-
hibitory liquor law, such as is now advo-
Gated in some quarters, will fail of its
object, and merely create an i'll feeling
that will in time react upon those who
secure its adoption. Mems appetites
can no more be controlled by law than
their religion, their party sympathies or
their affections. TO reform those who
indulge in immoderate drink, they must
first be convinced of the evil effects of
lntempeIance, and when this cannot be
done by moral or intellecturl influences,
II cannot be done by legal remedies.
The severest laws ever passed have not
restrained a single individual who Was
determined upon having liquor from
getting all he desired, or converted
solitary. soul to the opinion that it was
right to deprive him of it, when his
taste called for 4 supply. A certain
amdunt Of Intoxicating drink will be
sold in every community, under all cir-
cumstances, and it is a question in our
mind whether in the end it would no5s
be found the b?st plan to allow Of lis
sale on the same principle that we DO
all other articles, holding the dealers
fer such violations Of the
code of the State as may eusue
from an IMPROPER use Of their privilege.
Let this fact be stca lily borne in mind,
that in all questions ofa moral character,
what cannot be doue by conviction will
never snccecd by legal requirements,
and that we can no more make men
ty an act Of the Legislature,
than we can force them to accept of
Methodislh, Ronanism Baptism, or any
other demon national creed, by the SANE
formal ceremony. -..