New-York tribune., 1874-04-11
THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION
VIEWS OF A PRACTICAL MAN.

Ply. IN TIE JOINT INTEREST OF TEMPERANCE
AND THE WHOLESALE LIQUOR DEALER-G0oD
LAWS THE CURE FOR INTEMPERANCE, RATHER
THAN PLEDGES AND PRAYERs-REDUCrI0N OF
TIE GOVERNMENT TAX NEEDFUL To SECURE
GOOD WHISKY
To ihs Edttor Of The Tribune.
SIR 1t is not my intention to discourage or
disparage the efforts OF the Christian women OF this
country who are now fighting the demon rum. but to
argue the question whether there not more pract
cable OF abating the evils OF intempcrance than
the promise of people totally to abstain from the
use OF intoxicating liquors In the United States there
has been less agitation OF the principle OF total
abstinence since the foundation Of the Government.
Yet there never was more dissipation than at present
The grogshops confined large cities but per
wade every town throughout the length and breadth OF
the land II these could he permanently closed oy the
present crusade OF the women, then they would have
accomplished by their prayers than they ever
achieved by their tears. But he novelty OF the move
ment will soon wear off, and while much good VIII
have been done. the root of the evil will soon be
left attempt to the people OF the world 10
abstinence and to expect them to remain steadfas
and thereby to abolish the OF intoxicating liquors as
beverage certainly absurd as TO undertake totay
to counteract the influence OF the Evil One and to eso
sh the millennium. There is no telling what the utuo
may develop il absurdty for the present gene
ration TO think OF accomplishing complete reseneI'
ton of the human race
Whatever temperance advocates and theorists may say
TO the contrary the fact that intoxicating drinks nave
heen used since the foundation OF the world is undena
be II is doubtless true that alcohol was createu lor
the use OF man, and that 1t was used Dy CHRIST ahu '
~ tha Wise men Of the earth. There few temper
ance advocates who would question inc wisuo" VI
Christ Yet when they there Is no Inoue OF recu'
ing the evils of intemperance except total aosnence
.l.,Ito H..rnr
wisdom
There are many phases he considered IN the discus
sion of the temperance problem. but the real question
is When and how shall intoxicating liquors DC uSeu
The modern temperance advocate SAYS, " NOT at du
But time has demonstrated that this Is lmpraccaoe
that intemperance and crime are on the increase "
follows another equally important question: why are
intemperance and the increasef A the lsh Vi
hein rdiculed IL ia asserted that 1t Is because or the
vile oualty OF the duor used At the further RISK OF
being rdiculed il asserted that there s not hrs
class physician in the United States who VIII not eon
firm the statement. This admitted tue question arseo
What is the most practicable method of remedyng the
evils of intemperance and crime To TINS repS' nc
sale (when necessary of pure liquors only
Another very pertinent question could be mere askeu
With the present rate of taxation alcohol how can
the masses afford to drink pure iquorf IL VIII ne au
mted that 1t would be almost impossible. Is IL not
wrong then for the Government to place such an nh
reasonable tax whkyl Is not the excessive TAX tue
cause,of aduterationl Is not the Government then
largely responsible for the ntemperance and crime OIL
the present day so far as the sale OF whisky causes
tbem1 II il as wrong to place au unreasonable tax on
one commodity as on another The unreasonable tax on
whisky causes the diser 20 attempt to detraud the
Government, while the retailer is compelled 10 auu
terate in order to make anything by MS sales Inc
consumer Injured in body and mind ana the Increase
in ntemperance and is multiped tenfod IL ioI-
lows then that ii is the duty OF the Government 10 re-
duce the tax whisky 10 reasonable rate SO hat
those who deal in 1t and drink It can do so on the one
hand without being forced TO aduerate IT, ana on te
other without beng driven mad by It's poisonous
The use OF intoxicating liquor beverage ought 10
he discouraged aud its excessive use punished.
utility OF punishment for drunkenness mas 1eeh
ouehy IN & the ~ [eS9r army my me Gra of
the terrible punishment that Will follow It's excessive use
dcters the most OF them. II would be h3rd 10 Ock q
man up after drunken spree and compel nun 10 Work
out term OF liDpIlSOhient aio1S , VII III
consider the crimes that 40 oft+n foOW drukehes
the punishment is not So unreasonable Ihe very act
OF getting drunk Is liaple to aus ho,
greater than robbery. The question OF when ana now
to use Intoxicating liquors difficult To answer satisac
torily. 1t would be great Improvement over the pre-
ent usage if they were never sold 10y thr dlhk Win
commodities IN large quantities only. When used at ALL
IL ought be used food Is uscdior the purpose o
other res2dcts then why expect them to be always
temperate in the of Intoxicating beverages! The
only is for the Old TO teach the young to 90 the best
they can. and 10 set 4 good example before them
II the people of thus country have the moral courage
retailing Of intoxicating liquors and nave the moral
courage TO enforce the is the sticking point
then the evil can be remcdcd and not till then. HUI
initiating az il IS truth requires il should be said
that the people not the moral courage at present
to do this.
The Ohio movement has set people 10 thinking. Think
ing causes action II has already done some good But
IL cannot last always. Like religious revyals, u VIII
speud its force 1t Is laying good foundation, however,
upon which 10 build II IL should be the OF u
maeiy abOshing retail grOg>hOps aud of hnding more
nsefu occupations for the thousands of liquor dealers
who are now proving upon the bodies and minds OF the
will rpli
even greater tnan was the curse OF slavery. Z.
Neto- York, April 4. 1874.