New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-04
TEMPERANCE.
" CONSISTENT AND INTELLIGENT TEMPER
ANCED


ANCE."
DIR. HALL DEFENDS THE RESOLUTIONS At THE MIN
LISTERS MEETING-THEY WERE INTENDED AS A
BASIS OF Co-OPERATION-BROAD GROUND FOR
ALL THE FRIENDS OF TEMPERANCE.
TO me EDITOR Of The Tribune.
SIR: The above words. from the resolutions
agreed upon few weeks ago, have been 80 misun-
derstood and msrepresented as to render proper o
line lfor which there was no need while they were
only the occasion of personal comment in the inter-
ests of public morals
a. They were not intended to disclam the West
ern movement, for which previous resolution ex-
presses deyout thankfuness.
t2) They were not meant to disclaim total absti-
nence So far this from being the case that the
reader of Che resolutions avOwed his intention from
them to preach total abstinence, and leading
Methodist Episcopal minister, whom 1 shall not
expose to personal abuse by naming here in urging
them on the meeting assigned the reason that all
could agree on this phrase, that gentlemen who
did not accept total abstinence could go as far as
they felt right with them and Others like himself,
could preach from them total abstinence.
| 49, They were accepted at an adjourned meeting.
At the earlier meeting gentleman offered series
of resolutions committing all present to total abb
| stinence. DR.. Crosby frankly stated that they
| would rule him and many others out. These reso-
lutions were not pronounced upon, but committee
| was raised. of which DR.. Crosby was made men,
Der, to bring in resolutions which all could har
| moniOusly cooperate. That appointment was IN
| derstood by the committee to imply not decision
| as between moderate drinking and total abstinence
ION which question most of the members would not
waste five minutes for it is settled with them. but
an attempt at combined action by all who deplored
and desired to resist intemperance. And it admit
| ted of no other candid Interpretation.
a. That is tho explanation of an observation OF
the present writer, which was reported fairly, but
has since beenmost unfairly used, namely that we
| ha to consider not only ourselves but the great
world outside that did not see this thing rs we see
| it," The action contemplated included the CO.
operation of Christian ladies' the press the City
Government. the Legislatures, State and National
and it was proper and pertinent to frame a pro-
Gamme that would not raise needless opposition
To allege that the great world outside" is made
the arbiter in the matter Of Christian duty here,
to twist language out of its connection and to give
it personal application ESPECIALLY after this re-
statepent) would be to circulate SANDER. One
total abstinence paper charges this as "cowardly
in Dr. Hail." No one made this imputation of cow
| ardice at the meeting.
| 81 If there has been any failure of subsequent
cooperation it is very much to be deplored but the
resolutions are not to be blamed for it. They were
simply intended according to the intent of the meet
| ing that raised the Committee, with DR.. Primo as
| Chairman and Dr. Crosby a member of it, to secure
| public cooperation against drunkenness no matter
| what our individual convictions of personal duty
| might be; and it certainly was not expected thai
their trainers would be denounced by those who
assigned the task as having given up and dlsclamet
total abstinence. The resolutions were to DO to al
temperance friends what the basis of the Eyangell
| cal Alliance is to Christians Of many different de
nominations. who cooperate in it without disclaim
| ing their Methodism OF their Presbyterianism.
| II any one desires to know what intelligent an'
! consistent temperance" means, the reply is, Sucl
personal attitude toward strong drink, in practice
| as is consistent with good morals, with TRUTH ant
with mans avowed opinions; and such as L
defensible by Scripture and reason 1t was INTENDED
to exclude rant, cant, ignorance doQmatism, the
petty selfshness that trades on temperance reform
and the honest or dishonest laundering which makes
| the reform a religion. 1t is not intelligent and
consistent temperance to impute base motives, t.
employ abusive language against honest men. even
if they are not total abstainers; to settle
nice and still disputed questions in Hebrew
in chemistry, in physiology. in language
which the great world outside" takes as
proof that the speakers are educated
to rest good cause on doubtful when it can be sus-
tanned on assured ground, to strike as vehemently
and passionately at feowlaborers on the right and
left as at the common enemy in front. Is 1t too
much to ask that the papers which have noticed
the discussion and especially the religious and tenn
peranco papers, will insert this communication
Yours faithfully, y. HALL
Ne,e- York, April g. 1874.
GENERAL PROGRESS OF THE CRUSADE.