New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-31
see action taken OH the matter at the National
Capitol very soon after the close of the holiday
LEAD Us NOT INTO TEMPTdTTON"


Among the good rumors of reform which
reach us from Washington, the most definite
and one of the most cheering ID that the
President and the members OF tho Cabinet
have resolved not to place wine or spirits
before their visitors on New-Year's Day. We
hope this may prove true, and that Washing
ton may follow the good example. 1t is to
be regretted, for once at least, that our
rulers have not enough social authority
to make this bad custom unfashon-
able throughout the country. But 1T
is n subject of sincere congratulation If they
do their best in that direction, and there is no
question but that the good sense and proper
feeling of respectable people are beginning to
forward the same needed reform everywhere.
Last year there was q most encouraging in
crease in the number of good houses where
temptation was kept away from the young
and thoughtless, and we hear this year of
many families whose strong and influential
example will be given il the same sense.
1t is not the matter of total abstinence wc
are now discussing. This is q much narrower
question. Men may hold two opinions in re-
gard to the merits of vino as beverage.
But none can differ in regard to tho adyant-
ages which young men can derive from drink
ing fifty glasses of wine or spirits in as many
visits There are many wise heads which VIII
be shaken compacently over this with the
reflection that nobody is so silly as
to drink at every invitation, and that
sensible man will drink no more
on New-Year's than on other days.
But how many sensible mon have we in tins
country Mr.. Carlyle once said, with savage
gravity, "the British Isles contain some forty
"milions of Inhabitants. -mosty FOOLS" We
would not subscribe to so sweeping a ciassh-
cation of our citizens, for fear some witty
person might credit us to the majority. But
the greater portion of the young gentlemen
who will make their rounds tomorrow have
not the nerves of Hercules nor the wisdom of
| Solomon. They will make sincere resolutions
| to drink only once in while. But
! they will begin very early. The first
half-dozen glasses may DO charged to the
weather. to good fellowship, to "woodinS-np."
or equally satisfactory accounts Then, when
| the power of resistance is somewhat damaged,
will come tho invitations from bright eyes and
| pleasant voices, which arc not easy to resist
| in youth and January, and before the day Is
half over the forlOrn guest-errant is in con-
| ditjon where a glass moro or less is a matter
of very little consequence. The evening hours
| are filled with pitiable exhibitions of the
strength of temptation and the weakness OF
| the tempted. No one will deny this, though
almost every one has agreed to laugh about
| it. Tho adventures of the ovcrtaken az
| ford an irresistible subject for caricature
and good-natured rallery. But is it venial
thingf Leaving out of view tho question
whether mon should drink at all, it is certain
that they should never drink too much, that
they should not be drunk in public. aud that
they should never be drunk in the presence of
ladies. Yet at the beginning of every New
Year, hundreds of good enough young fellows.
belonging to the upper middle class, wearing
brave raiment and rejoicing in their strength,
violate all of these three rules in the presence
and ut the solicitation OF young aud winsome
women. who would rather die than knowingly
injure a human soul.
why not reform it altogether This is
woman's business 1t is she who suffers when
men transgress Delirunt reyes CT plectmtw
Achiui. 1t may DO safely said that there is
not drunklrd living who does not make
some woman unhappy. In every possible
way the women of tho country should avoid
the appearance OF giving any cOuntenance 10
this terrible evil Here is place to begin. On
New Years Day woman is supreme. She
rules at home and receives the homage of
countless guests. Let her rely upon her own
attractions for that day at least and ask no
assistance from any other stimulant. The day
will not be lass gay and cheerful. There will
be the inspiration of tho frosty sparkle of the
air, of the holiday feeling of the festal array
of the salons, the tasteful toilets which fifty
adorn the PROTEST and best women in tho
world-if you please. If all these are not
enough to begule the modern young Ameri-
can to his social duties, then he is an oaf and
a hind tho loss of whose visits would be no
deprivation.
CONSECUTIVE DISASTERS.
tt ia q matter of current remark that disas-