New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-07-08
nEMPERANCE I'M ALL THINGs.-An good

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be differences of opinion as to the best method
of accomplishing the desired end Temperance
means moderation, though technically applied
to abstinence from the use of intoxicating fluids;
it has a much broader Specification than that.
The individual who abjures all distilled and
! fermented stimulants as a deadly poison may,
nevertheless, be incorporate 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 prejudices, or his APP
| pettes. 1t is even possible to preach tenn
| perance intemperatey.
| There are certain enthusiasts, for example,
who demand the entire adjustment OF alco-
holic stimulants. Against these ultra-prohibl-
| btionists the great body of the medical pro-
| fession takes decided ground. Nine-tenths OF
the physicians and surgeons of the civilized
world prescribe alcohol and medicines of which
| alcohol is a cardinal ingredient, in their prac-
tice. They say it is one of the most important
articles in the naateriG medicd, and that moth
ing can supply its place. Sometimes they adj
minister it neat, sometimes diluted with water,
sometimes medicated; and while admitting, as
any sane and honest man admits, that it is
morally and physically poison when taken to
NN'ANAA
tiOns, 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 patholglsts
of the age understand the matter somewhat
better than On-prOfesslonals, we accept the
doctrine and practice as philOsOphic and cor
rect-the more especially as the result 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 a sanitary
agent. Mr.. Greeley grants this in recent
article published in The Independent, and only
fanatics, whose zeal is untempered by knOwl-
edge, attempt to deny it.
/ Here, however, a difficulty occurs The
liquors of commerce are so generally adulte-
rated that it is perilOus to give them to sick
persons. All the brandies, runs, gins, whis-
kies, &C., are more or less Imprisoned Each
contains some ingredients which provoke a
thirst for ardent sprits-and thus drunkards
are made. Under these circumstances, sensible
temperance men should be the first to appre-
cate the Importance of pure stimulant for
medical USE
This desideratum is supplied to the public
Bitters which is not merely a wholesome
stimuant, but an invaluable tonic, corrective,
and Alternative. In manufacturing, advertising,
and selling it-for sanitary purposes Only-the
proprietors claim to be contributing a sound
and substantial plank to the temperance plat
form.
There is good deal of cant talked and
written by some of the self-elected reformers
of the morals of mankind. 1t is the misfortune
of many of these persons, and of their dis
ciples, to cOnfound the use of dtfusible stimu
lants as an antidOte with their misuse as a
beverage. The spirit by which they are ami
mated is a spirit of blind bigOtry and intoler
ance akin to that which, in the Olden time,
led to the massacre of st. Bartholomew, the
crusade against the Abigenses, and many other
foul wrongs committed in tho namo of religion.
Thomas Hood, the wttiest of philosophers,
and the most philosophical of wits, character
lied the narrow minded and aggressive pety
which is continually pecking at whatever does !
not strictly conform to its peculiar ritual, as
as magpety, and there are good many birds |
of the magpie feather, who would fain obtain !
the exclusive control of the whole temperance |
flock
The doctrine Of these individuals lacks con-
sstency The same arguments-if they deserve !
the name-which they urge against the en-
ployment of alcohol and alcoholic tonics in THE |
treatment of disease, or for its prevention, ap-
ply with still greater force to most of the IA
vorite specifics of the faculty. Yet they have !
not n word to say against opium, mercury |
strychnine, iodine, quinine, and other deadly |
poisons which are prescribed daily by thou |
sands of medical men. Are these less deleter- |
ious that the pure alcoholic stimulant used as a
medium for dihusing the healing influence of
wholesome herbs and roots through the system ?
The most uncOmpromsing ultra-p rohIbtiOnist
must admit that they are not.
But he has a rejoinder in reserve. The pow
erful 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 stimulantsg Every bottle of
Hostetter's Stomach Bitters, for example, is
accompanied by directions for its use. These
directions are as clear and as explicit as those
in physicians prescription, and even if they
happen to be violated, through inadvertence,
10 serious consequences ensue. A double OF
triple dose of laudanum, or of stTychnine, or of
mineral salt, may kill, and very often does
kill but iive-fold or even ten-fold dose of
the Bitters would produce no such terrible
effect. Opium is an infinitely stronger intoxi-
cant than any variety of alcohol, and is extern
sively used to produce intOxication, as well as
in medical treatment Why, then, is opium
recognized as n useful curative by the same
parties that utterly prescribe all alcoholic
preparations 1t is always best to be con-