The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-23
a WISE. PRINCE.


sprAEs HIS Nusp FREELY, AND ADVOCATES
MODERATION, RATHER THAN PROHIBITION.
Bosrox, June %, 1871.
In consequence Of request Tor an interview
with Mayor Prince. presented by Mrs. Mary A.
Livcrmorc and others, His Honor received call this
morning from that worthy lady, accompanied by Mrs.
/. b. Barrett. Mrs. Henry Mccoy and Mrs. H. n. II.
Richards. Tho objec, of their visit TO urge upon
the Mayor such would result IN tho exclusion
oil wines aud liquors from the Presidential banquet
next week. Mrs. Livcrmore was tho spokeswoman
OF the occasion, and in stating the object
Of the visit. she said Mr. Prince, call on you
this morning in tho of the people OF this Com
monwcath and In behalf OF the Women's Temperance
Christian Union, organ zation composed OF ~ 600
or Massachusetts, and largely representing tho
moral ana Christian sentiment of the community. l
have been delegated by roy associates to present 10
you the following memorial which, with your permis-
sion, will rcad:--
rnE wonES's xrpoaIAL
ameeng Of tho Exe,atise Committee Of the "9mens
dsrsigncd chosen TO wait upon yon with
In behalf 81 Tie chasiaa Tho city of the
state We ask You respectfully bur earnestly 70 direct that
JIG cy when iho s.naas given y ne city Of boston in
o g 81 s Kind ard an Opportunity for exert
mg an influence for good evil such rarely offered
q iss cSsf Mssisras s'ss nation S
observance .
Sss. Citizens into .has And ishonor bow urge
.assasd the city Of Boston gives respessbss to scci
drinking customs by ssncsonng them on this august ccca
ALLOW dear .r rs:pes.tuy g remind yor thu. tho
gu.hed visitors to our city carries With l. great respon
ensd weakened you refuse grant them your official
sanction on ,hs and ths virtue Of our tho
your decision In this matter
RESPONSE MAYOR.
merely would say at this moment In response. that
while agree with you ladies and those you represent
in respect TO tho horrors Of intemperance, and do
not believe there any words in tho English Ian
guAgc sufficiently adequate to describe those horrors,
differ entirely with you and those you represent with
reference to what you say respect total absti-
In the first place 1t Is tho part OF wisdom TO
regulate what you cannot eradicate. We have tried
two prohibory laws and found they have succeeded
In accomplishing their Objects and may say IN this
connection that myself thirty years ago, nearly
thirty years ago, vas in the Legislature when tho
Name Liquor law first came up, aud voted for II Tor the
purpose OF trying IT, and IL proved an utter failure.
can understand how enthusiasts expect to mako
angels Of men and women, when We are told We are
somewhat iowcr than tho angels in their earnestness
TO cect good Objects and want very much indeed 10
beverage. The motive is honorable to them, but IN
my humble Judgment and say it respectfully, 1t
shows utter ignorance with human nature and the
laws hat rule human conduct We shall never have
an era oil total abstinence in my Judgment
Mrs. LivERNoRE (interrupting)-We admit what you
say IN reference TO the Prohibtory Liquor law.
Mayor PRNcE-lf you will allow me TO 30 on II is
not true that the great people OF this Commonwealth
as shown by tho issue At the polls ana these prohb
tory people seem to be growing smaller by degrees
ana beautifully less"
Mrs. LivERNoRE--We are not advocating prohtbi-
tory liquor law IN this memorial.
Mayor PRINCE-But you say total abstinence.
Mrs. llvERMoRE-The inability to enforce tho Pro-
hibitory Liquor law arose from the absence OF public
sentiment behind IL TO compel it's enforcement.
Mayor PRNCE-f differ from you there
Mrs. LIvBRAoRg--Is not law always enforced when
there "a public sentiment behind IL!
Mayor PRiycE-Yes.
Mrs. LivERMoRE-Thcn the reason this was not en-
forced because there was not the necessary public
sentiment behind II.
ment.
Mrs LIyERnosE-rhat is what we ara trying to do.
Mayor PRiScE--And your motives are honorable and
Trustworthy have boon thinking Tor thirty yours
how TO manage this question
Mrs. IRRESPONSIBLE havo poen thinking OF il also
for thirty years. as we nrc not young women.
Mayor PRScE-I understand that. lf you sat-
isy inc that the great desidcratum can be accom-
Pushed you Will lind mo on your side, az think there
is no language adequate TO express the horrors OF
temperance. You cannot accomplish your object be-
cause It Is not right y shouldbe accomplished be-
made TO DO enjoyed by man, aud the fact that he
abuses this thing IS no argument against iss USE
Mrs. RicHARDs--ls II not moderation you mean2
Mayor PRISCE-Yes, most OF our people do use, and
moderately use wne Take all the weather. classes
OF Boston, they use wine; are they drunkards?
sponsibs Tor any actual drunkenness.
Mayor PRINcE-Hasn't there oeen great change
come over the community in regard TO drinking? For
merly party could BIO seen lipsy and not lose the
esteem Of his acquainances, but now If man is seen
drunk his character is ruined
Mrs. LIvERMoRE-The TACT that there has been this
change rs an argument for greater change While
the state IN oar clubs we
by the objection IRON both men mud women, why
should we give up our whiskey any more than those
persons OF the higher society snouid not give up
wine?"
Mayor pRlycE-That is no argument
Mrs. LIvERxoRE-But thoy lower plane. and
VIC very accustomed TO copy the and Gus
toms OF those above us. believe the time VIII
when II IS possible tor those who wish 70 drink wine
10 say, I'VE lake our stand on Tue basis Of Christian
ity which demands OF US that Tor the sake oil others
we should forcgo the pleasures and delights which
jurious 10 othors.'
Mayor PElScE--in my judgment the prohibitionsts
have SCI back the temperance Increment by their nc
Mrs. LIvExxoaE-we are favor Of total abstinence
and are not allowed TO say IT Is prohibition
Mayor PRiScE--That is bringing metaphysics into
this which did NOT expect To so back TO the poi Mt
from winch we dverGed, IN respect 70 the Presidents
entertainment The city oil Boston desires that every
honor should be paid to the President because be Is
our President
MRS LavERMoRx- We share In that feeling.
Mayor PmScE-And am determined that nothing
shall BIO left undonc which contribute to that
sulL Now 10 give the President dinner without glv-
ing MIN what Is usual
Mira. LivKRMoKE-He never drinks vino; he has
never taken drop OF II IN his Ne
Mayor PxiKcs--rhst may Or may not DO.
Mrs. LIvKmaoKk-rhat is the statement OF his wife,
Mayor Pxixcs-he Is To be fmitted 70 do Just he
p!sascs, but were are Other gentlemen who will be
With him, mcmDcrs OF his Cabinet and others, and
they ought 10 receive what they havc right to expect
10 receive, aud II Is customary on such OCCASIONS TO
give winc and propose TO give II, ana think IL my
duty 10 give IT, represent the citacns AMI my per-
sonal character 10 sunk IN my oitciai position, and
whatever my cons ucLts expect me 10 do on chat oc-
casou shall dowhstcver Is d. and proper be done
may say In this connsction that II wore 10 give
Dime in my own house should give wine.
ut 90 tnfvn opAs
could not Interfere but 10 because you acting in
an Official capacity and because the city has made you
responsible.
Mayor PaixcE-Dou't you agree with me In this
proposition, that ought to do what the citizens ex-
poet
Mrs. LfyARxoIE--W HON do you mean by ciiizcns--
mon and wolncny
Mayor PKiscE---l mean people who live in the city
OF Boston that is my notion.
Mrs LIyEKMoRE--lf you should DO whnt tho pcop.o
IN Boston, the men ana women, require you 10 do,
Won would not give wine.