Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-06-11
Temperance and Common Sense

All over the world temperance so
Cieties have been established, and, il
may said, have flOurished and fallen.
In our country, New England has led
OffOn that subject, but nOtWithstand-
ing its numerous temperance sOcie-
ties and its stringent laws 6gainst the
traffic in alcoholic beverages, her hab-
its Of abstinence do not seem to i'm
prOve-and take one week with an
other, we dare say as many drunken
men can be found in Boston as in New
Orleans. There seems to be a native
desire in all mankind for stimulants.
If they do not crave for one kind, they
will another. An equally strange
characteristic of human nature ig to
obtain that which happens to be the
most difficult of access; hence, stimu.
lating drinks being forbidden in BOs-
ton, the man who has never tasted
liquor, II not suppressed by public
sentiment, naturally becomes curious
to know what there is about whisky
that is 80 damaging. Then slyly he
tastes. next becomes q lover of the
article, and finally drunkard.
Most temperance societies lack good
judgment. Temperance means mod
Grafton rather than teetotalism; and
they accomplish good just so far as
they can control public opinion.
There are thousands of men who
make use of various alcoholic prepa-
ratiOns, and who use them in mOdera-
ton. and who require, OF think they
require, their stimulating effects, who
would Join temperance COcieties were
they not wholly deprived Of the use
of such stimulants. Some argue that
those who can should deny them
selves, in order to set an example TO
the inebriate, This Is no example to
him. The confirmed drunkard can
stay sober until he gets the first taste,
after a long abstinence; but once he
imbibes, he is drunk. Now, il this
man could be taken into a society
where he could be allowed moderate
amount Of alcoholic stimulant, the
chances are that he could, under the
influence of cheerful and moral COM
paniOns, be entirely cured of his weak
ness. But Il he Join d temperance so
ciety as ordinarily constituted, he
must totally abstain from mis- acquired
habit; and the result is that after 3
/ long abstinence his appetite over
comes him, be becomes inebriated,
/ and is thrust out Of the society. No
i one deprecates drunkenness more
/ than we do, and it is for the cause of
4 temperance that we speak. But who
does not know that man who has
| become a complete slave 10 his appe-
| tite can rarely, If ever. be saved sim
ply by taking the pledge2 Where
one Is saved In that way q thousand
might be reformed by joining the sort
Of temperance society to which we
refer. Such organizations would In a
( few years become 50 numerous and
influential that fOI man to be intOx.
icated in the street or Ia his house
would be q rare thing.
There are many persons whose APP
petites do not crave alcoholic stimu-
/ iants, and OF this class, it 50 happens,
our temperance societies are princi-
paIly made up. 1t is no denial for
/ them to refrain from such indulgence,
but it is g noteworthy fact that If they
do not use intoxicating drinks they
/ frequently use other stimulants, such
/ as tobacco, tea, coffee, opium, etc.
The New York San says only two
Presidents have been reelected dur,
ing the last half century, and extra
ordinary circumstances cOnspired tC
make their denomination necessity
| for their party. When Jackson was
reelected he was In the midst of 8
fight with the nulli6eFs and the Uni
| ted STATES Rank. His withdrawal al
that crisis would have been regarded
as the triumph of Calhoun AMI Bid
die. Lincoln was reelected during
the red heat Of the rebellion. Hi:
withdrawal in such an eXigeney
would have encouraged Davis In his
Vaccinations, and inspired Lee with
hope. No such crisis, no such exigen.
/ cy exists now, Grant stands directly
1 ia the way Of peace, harmony, and
unity. II Grant Is Fe-nOminated, tbs
/ Slta says, let the railying cry OF al
Republicans be 'sSREELEY AND ONT