The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-02-12
TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.

TEMPER ANCE NOV MENr.
A branch of MURPHY's temperance
firm will commence q movement in thu
city, this evening at the Fourth street
NJ. E. Church, under the direction o.
Messfs. DUNBAR and STRINGER, both o.
whom claim to be reformed drunksrds
What success will attend their efforts the
future alone will develop, but looking al
it in the light of past experience in tenn
perance movements in this country, we
are inclined to the opinion that nothing
more than perhaps first clss:
sensation will come of it. The tenn
perancs crusade swept over por-
tions of the land few years ago, pro-
ducing a wonderful sensation and gave
occasion for some rather extraordinary
conduct on the part ofimpulsive females
whose motives were pure, but under the
excitement did many things shocking to
the ideas Of propriety prevailing among
the conservative classes of society. That
storm has died away and the effect OF it
has been, that in the towns where the
crusade reigned most supremely there are
to-day more saloons and more drinking
people than before it commenced. JOHN
B. COUCH and Mr.. MOODY both have
testimony to the fact that no confidence
can be placed in pledges and movements
of that character. All such reforms like
the "Burton Experiment" generally be-
gin and end among those who never
drink. The meetings are hurrshed up
with q good Zeal of noise and in man
ner TO attract the curious, and make a
success so far as Numbers are coHcern ed.
The lecturer, as the Barton orator did,
commence, his address by explaining the
sture of alcohol, and its uLvarylng et-
fects upon the human system; proves 10
the satisfaction and horror of the audi
ence, from reports of analyses and from
l,ouor dealers hand books, that most
LIQUORS are sdulterated, and with impure
and dangerous materials; he explains
how the use of beer and light wines cre-
ate taste for strong drinks; showing the
tallscy of the idea that liquor is in any
sense nutritious; displays figures,
showing how many pounds OF bread and
meat might be bought for money spent
for liquors, how many houses could be
built, how many suits OF clothing could
be bought, how many churches could be
erected, and then how soon the public
debt CT uld be paid, but probably neglects
to state that our principal public revenue
is derived from the government tax on
the distillation of spirits. Then, as is
not uncommonly the cise, will touching
| " describe the horrid debauches of some
drunkard, how that drunkard was raised
from his sunken condition by being in
duced to sign temperance pledge, how
that his reformed lie had led him on TO
| emipence until his name was
in the mouth of every man, woman
and child in the United States, and
then dramatically concludes with the
modest announcement: THAT reform
/ ed drunksrd stands before you tonight
| in the person of your humble speaker.
This produces decided sensation in the
audience, and is received with Demon
strations Of applause, not permitted IN
legislative halls, the pledge is circulated,
and every man and woman who never
drank drop in their lives. snatch ii
eagerly, and append their names to it
This is about the usual way public tenn
persnce movements are conducted.
Intemperance is An evil, and n de-
plorable one, but like all other vices
must be reached and reformed in 9
rational way. Temperance, like al
other virtues must have its foundation
In the home circle. The lessons OF tenn
persnce and of intempersnce are usually
learned around the family board, and il
the restraints and teachings of home are
lost to the man in after life, he can be
more readily and efectually reclaimed
by the influences st the Church and it:
ministry or of the kind Intervention o'
personal friends in quiet way, tnan by
the excitement Of 8 sensational public
demon stration. 1t is hardly reasonable
to expect the unfortunate victim of strong
drink to be reformed BY the persuasive
eloquescc of public temperance lee.
turer. when he S cold TO the earnest
PRAYERS of n loving wife or the tender
Headings of his own children. When
such lufiuerces as these do not reach his
case, We are willing to accept the state
men, Of the ministry, that the only
means for the reformation of the man i:
through the spiritual agency OF regen'
Grating grace.
The Charleston Courier says that the
Capital Removal bill, now pending in