The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-01-23
Temperance v. Teetotalism.


Mn. EDrToR Being of opinion tina, all extremes
are errOueOos. aud denying thar absolute Tce,O,Alism
is identical with temperance-the frs, denomination
of which in our dictionaries is moderation ~
have read with much satisfaction the London Ttmes'
report Of q meeting held in Manchester in November
last. at which q about 1000 members attended, In
GLIDING Clergyuen OF the Church Of EoglAnd and
Roman Catholic Priests. though the majority were
non confornists," and which lasted over two days,
resulting in the following Resolution
THAT the Conference, while not questioning the
conscieatiousnes Of many who do not feel free to alb
stain from all intoxicating drinks as beverages. is
convinced that already much good has accrued from
such abstinence. and that il Ministers and members
of Churches generally could ses their way to adopt
it, the cause Of Temperance would be thereby greatly
promoted"
The distinction for which | contend between total
and universal "Teetotalism " aud Temperance"
is here distinctly recognized. The - Thunderer 4" in
commenting on this gratifying result. speaks AZ fol-
ave can hardly express too cordially The satisfaction
with which this evidence Of the growth Of a practical
temper in the advocates Of Temperance should be re-
ceived. IL has hitherto been the misfOrtane Of this
cause that the struggle has been almost wholly be-
tween two extreme Parties. The Teetolallers have
refused to recognize any possibility OF a wholesome
use of alcoholic drinks. and have drhouueea a. al
most foes OF the human race alike those who sell aud
those who consume them. The inevitable conse-
quence is that they have driven the Licensed Wet
ualers into the opposite extreme. and every attempt
to improve existing regulations in the interests OF the
public welfare has been resented as a blow in Ah in
ternecine warfare. The public at large could not feel
thorough sympathy with either side in the struggle.
and the potent force of general opinion has conse-
quently been in a great measure held ia suspense. IL
has always been evident TO impartial observers that
the permanent triumph of Temperance could never
be insured by the advocacy of rules. which however
defensible for special purposes and at special times. are
irreconeilnble as general principles with the expert
ence of mankind and the imperious dictaies Of ma
ture. That great numbers Of persons who now con-
sumo alcoholic drinks would be better without them.
that still greater %numbers, though not guilty OF in
toxication, drink far more than is good for them, and
that the abuse Of such drinks by still larger multi
tudes is the most fruitful source Of misery In this
country, are truths which cannot be too frequently
urged. But when men proceedto denounce as abso-
lutely unnecessary. and even rs uniformly pernicioas.
a product as ancient as bread. which 10 the oldest rec
ords of our race has been associated with il AS almost
equally necessary, and the use OF which has attended.
If it has not distinguished. the development Of the
most civilized nations Of the world. common sense 10
repealed by "A sense Of extravagance. Corn and
Wine have never been ASSOCIATED as ia The first rank
of human possessions, and the one is at once as natu-
raj and as artificial as the other. IL is practically
unquestionable that to alarge nnmbeF Of persons the
use Of alcohol in some form is a physiological neces-
sity, and to prohibit Il is to fight against a law Of ma
ture. II has been said, perhaps with some truth.
that less suffering would be produced by the absolute
prohibition Of alcoholic liquors than is now produced
by their use. But q great aalobnt of spBsrtng ppuld
undoubtedly be produced by their prohibition; and
while nature demands them it is practically useless
to attempt abolishing their consumption. Constitu-
tional cravings were intended 10 be satisfied, and me
should simply be foregoing the highest development
Of our faculties il we we're TO acknowledee ourselves
incapable of turning to a proper use any part Of the
bounties Of nature. The problem before us il to
employ alcohol Alright, and instinct will defeat any
attempt to abolish j. instead. We welcome the pro-
ceedings as indicating that thsse truths ArebecOming
recognized among the frsnds Of Temperance. aud
that there is some prospect Of their pgitation being
thus diverted into more practical directions than that
Of total abolition, under any disguise"
trust you may concur with me in thinking the
above worthy a place IN your next issue p m
- Ell IM EL Z A I OIL 81 #2 n vi ~