The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-05-07
TOTAL ABSTINENCE.

some objections to the method o. enforcing tota
abstinence by restrictive legislation, promising
to offer In another issue some suggestions iu
relation to-the principle itself We are aware
that this is treading on dangerous ground, be-
cause there are many who regard this 2rincipl
as essential to all true reform in manners or
morals. We repeat the convictions of those
who believe there can be no temperance without
entire abstinence from every description of stim-
ulating drinks, and who would prohibit all forms
of amusement where recreation is the motive,
as essential to the cultivation Of proper Chris
tian morality. Those who would hold this prin-
ciple consistently must take the extreme ground
in both cases. If total abstinence is essential
to temperance, any stimulating drink must con-
tribute in greater or less degree to over-in-
dulgence. In like manner, if this principle be
sound when applied to amusements, every game
or pastime, sought for the mere purpose of
diversion, comes within the line of prohibtio
Few, we think, are prepared to follow this posi-
tion to its logical result, and large majority
make compromise for some intermediate
ground. Here they are always exposed to as
sault from the radical refor.ners, who certainly
have the best of the argument if their premises
are admitted.
We have no faith ourselves in the principle
thus asserted. We do not believe in the estab-
lishment of virtue by negation. Without going
into the doctrine of human depravity, a very
little observation will show that error and wrong
in human conduct and sentiment can be pre-
vented, if at all, only by active faith, and
cultivated habits of right doing Positive tastes
established and rooted by permanent growth,
are the only barriers against depraved appe
tte No child can be trained to pure and
noble life the negative principle. While
oho1 h. ,hcto,
car1-tables, billiard rooms, bowling alleys, and
whatever else his tutors may require; but if his
education stop here, be will be left ore day to
a sore temptation under which he will be almost
sure to fall His heart may be entirely emptied
Of unclean desires, like the man in the parable,
and even be swept and garnshed but such
emptiness only invites the seven evil spirits to
seek such an abode. Nature Graves diversion;
not merely little unbending of the sterner
thoughts, but pure sport and pastime Train
child in positive relish for those diversions
which are not necessarily associated with wrong
doing, and he will need no outside restraint
from vicious indulgencies. All the wit in the
world cannot drive the midnight blackness from
the smallest chamber; but light single taper
and the pail rolls itself away; food it With true
light, and there needs nc barrier against the
invading shadows There is no guard against
the assaults Of what is called ''infdelity," but
positive faith. The soul will cling to something,
and if you do not entwine its tendrlls about the
truth, it will be sure to embrace the error. To
forbid child to seek for disreputable amuse-
ments, is but outside restraint. But to cult
vate relish for home society; to make that
home attractive by ministering to the natural
craving which cannot be safely repressed, though
it may be led to fasten on the highest good; 10
c1 1,1, kh NIT ybok &c
healthfuI, and thus to stimulate it to Geek only
this method of satisfaction is to place the high
est barrier possible in this world against tempta
ton to evil in this direction. We believe that
the same rule will apply to the use of liquid
stimulants, although the premises will not be so
generally admitted. We think that there is
natural craving for something to drink which
canhot be satisfied with pure water; aud that
the best safeguard against intemperance will be
found, not in effort to secure total abstlne nee
from all stimulants, but in the cultivation OF a
positive taste for that form of stmulant which
may be most safely INDUCED Tea and coffee
are both useful in this direction, and those who
have extended their zeal 10 reform to the pro
hibiion of these beverages, have done, we
think, far more harm than good. We question
if the general use of lager beer by the Germans
has not been directly favorable to temperance
among these thrifty people. We look upon a
positive appetite for all light wines, and bever-
ages containing so little alcohol as not to be
considered intoxicating within any reasonable
limits, as favorable to the dsuse of strong drink,
and check upon the progress Of drunkenness
It may be true that when thirst for alcoholic
! liquors has become strong, and the habit of
over-indulgence fixed, the taste of any exhilara-
! ting fluid may increase the desire for the inc
| bria Rut in all our ype
have never known a taste for lager beer or light
vines, to serve as an introduction to the use o!
distilled liquors, by preparing the appetite for
it. Just so far as there is an established relish
| for such light beverages, the use of stronger
stimuants is distasteful and less easily acquired
! We do not mean that the natural craving fo,
| st;muants of the uncultivated taste is as easil,
satisfied with the class of beverages we regard a:
safest 1t is probably true that left to itself the
! appetite would fasten in preference upon the
distilled liquor. But the question we ask is
whether cultivated appetite for the former i
not better safeguard against drunkenness, thar
the attempt to build up wall Of total abstinence
from every form of stimulating fluid We be
lieve that it is, and that the efforts of the friends
/ of temperance will ultimately be directed ir
/ that channel.-N Y Journal Commerce.
! RICHMOND, A priI 90 General Schofeld to
! day served a warning on the Richmond Times
The warning says the editorials are likely t
create animosity, and its course cannot longe
] be tolerated.
/ On the European railways two-story cars ar
coming into favor. The lower story has compar,
ments in the English style, and the upper is o.
the American plan. The whole height of the ca