National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-10-16

The following was received last night from one
Of our lady subscribers:
TO the Editor OF the National Republican.
SIR: How, pray tell us, is the demand for drink
to be redueed-sO reduced as to remedy effectu-
ally the evils Of drunkenness? If dam shows
signs Of giving way, we can save it. OF course, by
letting on the water. This is not done, however,
unless It becomes imperatively necessary. Still,
IL demand is to be stopped-can be stopped
please give in detail the method that shalt avail
HER V.
Create, first, healthy state of public senti-
ment upon the subject Of drinking stimulants;
one which VIII give some hope, OF the practical
bility Of enforcing prohibitory law. When you
have achieved this no prohibitory law will be
necessary, for II will not only be accounted dis
grace to be drunk, but il will also be considered
3 disgrace to drink. So long as we tolerate
drinking stimulBnts at all a social conviTiality
and taking too much as q simple, pardonable
folly, ehargeable to the manufacturer and seller,
no prohibitOry law can be enforced.
We cannot even enforce our Sunday laws
agai. ct tipping in this community. Why? Sim
ply because, to those who drink stimulants habit
ually on every other day in the week, stimulants
on Sunday become Q necessity. 1t is not the
seller who invites custom on Sundays They
would be glad to have the day 10 themselves, but
It is the customer who VIII climb back stairs,
sneak through alleys, and traverse intricate pas
sages at the risk (no great, perhaps,) Of arrest
and summons to the Police Court next morning
70 obtain the means Of shaking the thirst Of the
snebriste, who cOmpels the Sunday trafic upon
the penalty Of Withdrawing the week day Gus
tom 10 LnAt par. why 90 not the police shut
them up? How can an officer complain and tes-
dfy TO that which be does not see. To make q
complaint you must have the proof A drinking
man is too honorable ~ to play spy and in
1OTmer. A temperance man or won an would not
be admitted to such spiritual precincts for such
purpose. And We do not know that many Of them
have shown any disposition TO take an active part
in this eistasteful business.
But We insist that It is in the power of the ladies
by combined effort II they choose to make it. to
show that degree Of displessure and disgust, dis
cOuntenance anddiscOuraRement Of drinking and
drunkenness wherever they ind them, that will
work its cessation. When men are made to IN
derstAnd that they must make the choice between
female society and stimulants the choice will soon
be made. II win not be in favor of stimulants,
either. In such case the drinker will not stop
because he cannot get the WhereWith TO make
him drunk, but from the higher motive Of pre-
serving the esteem, respect and affection Of his
female friends and relatives, and, consequently,
his own selfrespect. A victory achieved through
the affections Is more holy than when obtained by
force or fear but victory obtained by ones self
Of the higher, boiler, GOdlike passions, over the
sensual, grOveling and debased animal appetites
and desires, is a glory Incompatible with an an
manly, compulsory reform. If such victories can
be induced, the demand for spirituOus beverages
win disappear in ratable proportion