New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-05-26

in an incrdinate degree 70 strong rink +: thosa
who think and say that they hayenot done 20
must be ignorant OF the facts. The failures
are loudly proclaimed; of those who have
been reformed and are now leadin, sober live,
nothing is said, because there is 0 occasion
to say anything
The advantage Of such a home is that /,
thoroughly changes the association OF il m.
mates. For a time, at least, they arewith sober
people, and away from the BARRON and the
spirit shop. They have constant. bGore them
the object of their residence in the hone They
are continually reminded Of the troue which
weakness brought upon them, and which tho
same causes VIII bring again. They tax absti.
nence and they think abstinence. For he frst
time perhaps, in their lives, they are made 70
understand its vital importance in t'air own
personal cases. They are treated not 20 GRIM
inals but "a unfortunate men, not altgether
blameless. but s0rely tried and often found
wanting They are encouraged TO make ono
more manly effort they are urged t. adopt
such safeguards as experience has proved 70
be most salutary; and they are gradually led
10 take more cheerful view Of the future.
and to anticipate a return OF social p0>sion
and prosperity. I'm a word the best oppor.u-
nity of reform has been secured. II may NJ
may not be improved, but if II shall be pre-
scented in vain, the fault is not thcirs who have
extended the hand Of sympathy and have
done all in their power to rebuild the ruins Of
character.
There are various ways Of undertaking the
reformation of the incorporate. Some of them
have been long tried without much success
Hard words have lamentably failed and always
will, since they merely increase the mortiica-
ton and irritabilty from which the inebriate
has tried by Lis excuses to escape. Criminal
punishment makes FOUNDERS" steadily de-
scending to absolute degradation aud death.
An absolute refusal of all help which can 10
anv good sends the offender to the society "
hi, old associates and equals IA iniiuniyj
while mere pity is of no more value than mere
dcnunciation. What the patleHt wants is help
10 help himself. If he has good intentions it
Is everything to him that they should be rec
ognfzed by others, and that he should lind him
self respected just 50 far rs he is worthy Of
respect.
OF course there are thousands Of duInkards
who do not care to reform, and thousands also
VINO cannot Reform even Al lit1 tdlt' to' Aiio
proposed home is not for these. 1t Is for
Culablas and not for IncnIables, who would not
STAY in it if they were admitted, and whose
presence would be only IA hinderauce 20 the III
mates who are in earnest The proposed IN
stitution is for those who are sincerely
"anxious to reform not for hypocritos and
humbugs, who are merely seeking temporary
quarters and gratuitohs support. 1t Is possible
to fill up an asylum with such, and to keep 1t
so filled, without doing any apprecable good
to the cause of sObrioty. But there will al
WAYS be some really DESTROYS of correcting
their habits who cannot pay much, and some
equally deserving who can paw nothing.
Funds are needed for starting the home, and
pccuniary help may sometimes be wanted for
carving it on, though such an institution in
;hi, city, with proper and prudent manage
ment ought ere long 70 be sclf-supportiEg
and to lack no necessary comfort. II those
who can contribute 10 its support will think
The mqttcr over, they will soon understand
how much such a retreat is needed and how
much good it is likely to do.