New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-19
TEMPERANCE.

| 10 be TEN perate ls to be moderate, mol
violent or extreme in anything, but observ
ing reasonable bounds in whatever we un
| dertake to do. 1t is simply the exercise OF
reason in all that appertains to human at
fairs. Men are incorporate in many ways,
but intemperance lie generally understood
| to mean the habitual and immoderate use
! of intoxicating liquors. IntemperaDce IN
| this respect has certainly caused great
| misery in the world, proving terrible
| blight wherever it has fastened itself upon
| the people. 1t was this form of intemper-
ance that helped to bring ruin upon Ireland,
| by reducing her people to gradual decay
| and want There it became epidemic, and
the most humane and energetic measures
had to be adopted to arrest its fatal ten
denotes. Father Matthew, the great tenn
perance apostle, did much through his elO-
quence and benevolence toward arresting
the evil He formed temperance Societies
all over Ireland, and administered the
| pledge to thousands of his cOuntrymen,
binding them 10 entirely quit the use OF in
toxicating drinks. He afterward visited the
tured in its chief cities aud towns with
great success. He was received in New
Orleans with much enthusiasm, and
listened to with profound respect and
admiration. During his stay here this
great and good man made many converts
TO the temperance cause, and when he babe
adieu TO them there was not one to with
hold from him the homage of a grateful
heart. But many years have elapsed since
Father Matthew was here to remind our
people of the miseries that are sure to fol-
low in the train Of intemperance. Since
have swept over the land, and intemper-
ance has again loomed up at fearful rate,
destroying the manhood and womanhoOd
of many who have become addicted to the
too frequent use Of intoxicating liquors.
The observance OF these things has worked
those who are disposed to do good. In
many portions of the country temperance
societies are again coming into active use.
In this city many gentlemen are exerting
themselves in this direction. New sOCie-
ties, we understand, have been formed and
much interest is manifested in their meet
ings, which are held weekly and eloquently
addressed by gentlemen well able to dis
course inteIligently on the benefits of tenn
per ance. We are informed shat the
ladies will be called upon to aid
the cause Of temperance by dis
countenancing the use Of spirituous liquors
families, particularly on New Years day.
The custom of setting out intoxicating
drinks to callers on that day is regarded as
bad one by the advocates Of temperance.
They believe many a young man is thus
induced to take his first lesson in that
course of life which afterward proves his
destruction. Be this as it may, there can
be no doubt but that the immoderate use
of spirituous liquors works great deal of
injury. and we are glad to perceive that the
evil will not be permitted to spread without
an effort to check il; an effort that is no
longer confined to q section of our country
or to unofficial action Regarding the mat
ter as fit subject for national legislation,
number of petitions, numerOusIy signed,
have been sent to the United States Senate
asking for the appointment of a commission
to regulate the traffic Ia alcoholic liquors.
They were received and referred to the
Finance Committee some time ago. Senator
Howe, of Wisconsin, has since introduced
a bill on this subject, which provides for
the appointment by the President, with the
of the Senate, Of five commission
ers, to investigate the alcoholic liquor traffic
in its economic, criminal, moral and scientific
in connection with pauperism,
crime, social vicee, the public health and
general welfare of the people. and who shall
also inquire into and take testimony as to
the practical results of license, restrictive |
and prohibitory legislation for the pre-
vention of intemperanoe In the several |
States of the Union. The commissioners |
are to be appointed from civil life, ire
spective of political or partisan considera |
tions, are to hold Office for one year, to |
serve without salary or compensation, ex- |
,ept the payment Of incidental expenses,
and are TO make their report to the Presi- |
lent, by whom it shall be transmitted to |
Congress. Whether Congress concludes 70 !
pass Senator Howes' bill or not, inquiry |
nto the alcoholic liquor traffic in its econ |
,mic, moral and scientific aspects, as com
pared with the evils it produces, can do a |
leal of good. 1t will demonstrate whether |
he revenue derived by the government |
through this traffic is equal to the expense
t entails in arresting and correcting crime,
,rovidlng for pauperism and guarding
Igainst social vices that find their origin in
he liquor traffic The facts thus produced
would undoubtedly prove the necessity
trong for the most vigorous action to ar
est intemperance.