Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-03-07

VINO az HOBP w iEot iuiS htch
from the bottle.
s. This attempt at coercion, as
DO all such attempts OF every sort,
weakens the cause of temperance,
and reaction TO give greater
strength and obstinacy to the hab-
IT of indulgence, adding to it the
,abit of deceit, of private drinking,
&c. 1t has become an adage that
temperance advocates are the
aost incorporate Of men," that
incorporate in language and
ton and schemes they too often
generate into self-seekers, striv-
..... for cheap renown by excess
and intolerance they bring odlum
on the cause and disgust for its adj
vUcates, until even those not adj
dicted TO the vice lose sight Of its
Getor mitN in the greater repul-
siveness Of the opponents OF 1t.
Most men even refuse to have
even plum. pudding cramned
down theie. Threats.
1t appears Ia Us thnt the great
mistake Of the reformers on any
subject Of morals Is that they seek
to reform men from 1CitbO11 III
stead offrom WHhjn-t0 force them
into goodness by external pressure,
by legislation, &c. Now, no iegjS
luton can MAKE man good. II
may curb and restrain the prdctice
Of the forbidden thing and in this
result. even, il fails unless the leg
isiatiou be but The expression o!
the general seusc OF the commulll-
~, "a is the case IN theft, murder,
perjury, ut. But these reformers
seem TO think that it is only need
ful to pass q lar 10 put an end to
anything which that law snail pro-
hibit. Save in absolute govern
ments, any law is in Il great mea-
sure ii nulity which Is not the eX-
preston of public sentiment
The use and sale OF alcoholic
drinks are among those thIugs
which cannot be extirpated by
mere ieqjsldtiOR. The use oil alco-
holic stimulants seem to be inner
ent in the human race, ne believe,
has yet been discovered who did
not have and tie alcohol in some
form or other. Fhe u'r OF II is as
universal a. il mat Of narcotics or
of animal food.
Alcohol is ognized by every
law making poaer in the civilized
world aS an article of commerce,
manufacture, aud trade; and while
it j. regulated Il is not only per
M ed but it j. protected by every
go trnment, no matter how en-
iightened, civilized, or christian
izt and il is Utterly useless now
to i've it out al existence by eN-
tel al coercion ~ any form.
e have WI en this much not
frotA any desire 10 apologize for or
to advocate intemperance, or even
TO defend the use OF ardent spirits
/ by aiy one to excess. If it were
possible, society would be happy
in confirming its uses TO medicinal
purposes, under the advice and
written prescriptions Of response
Bile physicians but that is not
possible As now constituted We.
must place our hope in public
opinion and the con VentiOnal rules
OF social intercourse, Immense
good may be done by restricting
the use of liquor at parties aai dim
ners. The rules Of hospitality
may be greatly improved in this
way to the inestimable advantage
/ ofhostS and guests. That the cn-
! tire oisuse OF stimulanta in social
intercourse is within the range Of
! probability we nave pretty clearly
declared our unbelietin the begin.
/ ming of this article ; and We be-
/ lieve more good may be accom-
! plished by promoting its prudent
use thau by attempting to prevent
+ il, use altogether. We do not,
nevertheless, ignore the evils OF
intemperance.
While we with our heart of
hearts SympathiZe with the moth
ers, sisters, wives, and all women
I i'm the ag0nies inflicted on them
by this great enemy of man
and woman, we endeavor to pre-
sent practical, not a sentimen
tai. view OF the evil and its con-
sequences, immediate and remote,
in this crusade, and TO warn the
sex against them. But is there no
+ help? Is woman poWerless? We
answer, "No." We say that the
remedy is in her bands that she
can do much to cure the evil.
( How? BY making any and every
use of alcohol in excess, and its
attendant designations, diSreput-
a5Ee, disgra oeful, and therefore
hateful, in like manner as lying,
stealing, assassination, &c. Let her
feel it and treat it as a crinae-let
her bear herself toward those who
are in This way guilty as she