Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-01-05
Mr. Beeeher ON Temperance.

A large congregation was gathered 10 Ply
mouth Church, Brooklyn, Thursday evening,
under the auspices of the Plymouth Temper
anee Association, Capt Duncan, President, in
the chair. The occasion of the meeting was to
give Mr. Beecher, pastor of the church, an
Onportupity to address few farewell words to
the old year on the subject OF temperance.
Rev. Mr.. Beecher, on being introduced, said
there were men who had forgotten their old
notions of temperance. Young men spend
much of their time in common rum holes,
called saloons, and this condition OF things
was, doubtless. the result OF the war. Then
it vas generally admitted that OF the strangers
travelling in Europe now the great majority
were Americans, and it seemed to be one of
the objects of travel to become better acquaint-
ed with the various kinds and qualities of
wines. The water did not agree with their
bowels, so they had to drink wine. The vicious
customs of the upper circles OF society seemed
to be more powerful as example than its vir-
tues. Our people returned TO this country to
increase the demand for wines. The conSe-
Quence Of this was the establishment of wine
making as a leading feature of commerce.
New York was becoming every year more of
wine-making State. The demand for Califor-
MIA wines in the market showed that there had
been a wide departure among our people
from the old temperance notions. The ar
gument was that the use of light wines
would reduce the appetite and demand for
stronger liquors. The speaker wished he
could believe this. Wine was but the jackal of
the lion; it was but the beginning of bad
course. Americans did not drink to satisfy
the palate, but to obtain stimulus. Mr.. Hill
lard, of Boston, and DR.. Holland Of Spring
field, Mass, had testified that the growth of
the wine drinking customs were the sources OF
untold discomfort in families. At this point
Rev. H. Nj. Gallagher stepped on the platform
and MIR. Beecher said, that in speaking OF
wines in foreign countries, he did not mean
Ireland, for they didn't grow wines there.
Mr.. .Galag they grow whiskey,
though.
Mr.. Beecher-I own the corn. Laughter
MIR. Beecher then characterized the extrava-
CANT practices Of people who used wines ex-
tensively, and classed them Eiith the people
who purchased the hOmely shawls which cost
81, 900 and $1,000 at Stewards class Of
people who were always remarkably econOmi-
cal in regard to literary and religious objects.
Doctors were also W 0rking much mischief by
prescribing lntoO eating stimulants to their
patients, curing one disease by planting the
seeds OF worse, one. He was happy to know
that there was reaction IN this matter, and
leading and reputable physicians We're re-
iuslng to pr eScribe the deleterlous drugs. There
vas now temperance reactl0n-an amending
vi the ays-improvement upon the old and
mlStaH' n theories OF temperance, such as were
wont to be advocated in the light OF
the' logy and physiology. The proper ground
20 assume was that it is wrong to do
%'ythiug or to take anything calculated to do
evil and not do good, and that he deemed
sufficiently consistent basis for the temperance
movemen to stand upon. Coerelve movements
Eere out Of place, and persuasion was the right
method by which to lead men to act right, be-
cause they believed In it. He thought that
legislative action In the matter OF temperance
Gad served to retard the progress of the move
ment When society had reached its purer
standard then these plans might be tried; then
they would succeed. He then urged that his
hearers, and especially the young, should adopt
the principle of total abstinence, not merely tor
their own sake, but for the sake of those who
were to be affected by their examples. The
men who avoided alcoholic stimulants were
safer than those who INDUCED in them. This
had been abundantly proved by practical de-
considerations The stimulus resulting from
Fhe use of alcohol did not give as much strength
20 Aid coffee or tea. A man who was drinking
ayory dav. feeling that there was no danger of
him was like man choosing tiger for a bed
;nlow. II would devour him at last 1t was
easier TO stop before beginning than after hav-
inc hegun. 1t was one of the highest indlea.
ions of manhood to be able to say: Il VIII
not take it." MIR. Beeeher did not want to say
lhat glass of wine would do any injury DO,
ne had no desire to quibbe on such points, but
he would that young meu would see that the
continuapce of the custom of drinking was sap
ping reputation, health, everything pertaining
to manhood