Litchfield enquirer., 1878-04-25
Temperance-Total Abstinence.


 and elsewhere, it is not matter about whict there is any controversy. Total Abstinence, on the contrary, is growing principle, striv- ing for recognition as duty,-a rank which many most excellent people are net yet willing to allow it.
 Temperance, by which we mean simple moderation in the use of alcoholic drinks was originally deemed the highest form of duty necessary or attainable in regard to to that mat ter. It is a question even now, whether, in some climates, and with some races, temper ance is not all that duty requires. Experience shows, however, that with our nervous race. | and in our stimulating climate, mere temper ance will not save a very large percentage of our population from serious injury, if not from absolute destruction from over-indulgence in the use of alcoholic beverages So insidious is this appetite that men never know the extent of their danger-if, indeed, they know they are in danger at all-till they are past redemp- tion, human wrecks dragging down wives and children into ruin and misery and maybe into crime. We shall not undertake to say wheth- CT it is one in five, or one in ten, or one in twenty. of our New England people that thus falls into the habits and at last into the grave of the drunkard. That the number thus doom ed to death is enormous; that the misery en- 1 tailed on others is terrific; no sensible person will deny. So terrible were the ravages of intemperance among US in former years, that the plan of gen. eral total abstinence from the use of alcoholic l liquors as beverage was finally hit upon as the only sure preventive. The rural middle class of New Englanders adopted this practice of abstinence, more or less completely and a marked change ensued. This is fact that has not to our knowledge been denied by any l candid, intelligent observer. The old Total Abstinence movement, however, did not change the habits of the wealthy and the lux urious. as it changed the habits of the New England farmer. It did not affect the city as it effected the country. There has since been an enormous immigration of foreigners bringing habits of indulgence with them. For many years, also, political settlements, and the war, kept exclusive hold of the public at tention, and the total abstinence principle suf- | fered great neglect It also suffered from the hypocrisy of those who tried to prohibit thein- dulgence of others by law, while habitually in- dulging themselves. At last, the old spirit is once more aroused people are re-awakening to the consciousness that the community that ventures on habits of indulgence in alcoholic drink is a plague-stricken community, inevi- tably doomed to decimation from intemper- | ance. Then follows what is termed a Temper ance revival. Thousands hurry to sign the pledge. Drunkards come up amidst cheers for final struggle with their memorable ty- rant Women urge on husbands and sons and brothers; and, most hopeful of all the boys ! and girls who are to be our next generation, take the VOW and wear the badge of Total Ab- stinence.
 We can we'll understand how people who feel in no danger of becoming drunkards have here tofore thought it useless to take pledges of to- | tai abstinence with view of abolishing the | general use of alcoholic beverages. The 
 small that the practice of total abstinence seem- ed useless sacrifice. Happily the night has passed, and the day is dawning brilliantly. All that is now wanting is little more self-denial on the part of grown men to arouse in a gener- ation of boys on the verge of manhood that hatred and dstrust of alcohol which alone en- sures them from becoming it's victims. Is it wise for father to say to son, '1 indulge be- cause am old and strong enough to withstand temptation. You will do well to take the pledge. Otherwise you run some risk" Will not example override precept in this as in other cases Would it not be better for the father even if he has no fears of his own safe | ty, to deny himself in order to make sure of the safety of his son?
 In short, we of the Total Abstinence faith l believe that our race is to be saved from the horrors of drunkenness only by becoming a race of total abstainers If this is fanaticsnl, it is at least an honorable fanaticism. We call it by no such high sounding name. To us to. tai abstinence seems merely sound business habit. It is the premium we pay for the only reliable insurance against alcoholic fire. Nor do we claim to exercise any great self-denial in this matter The alcoholic appetite is not natural appetite and total abstinence costs the person who has always practiced it no ap preciable sacrifice. Hence it is that we fec such confidence that we have only to start a generation right, to make abstinence easy even to the weakest, whom slight indulgence would certainly ruin. On this point the testimony of the reformed drunkard is misleading. Absti- hence costs him heavily.
 Above all we hope.to treat no one harshly who differs with us in opinion. The way of life we propose is new way, and Conserva- tism loves old ways. Progress in any direction necessarily meets opposition from some of the most excellent people of it's time !; but Conser vatism eventually moves forward as we'll as Progress, and when it occupies new position it never recedes What we now especially neec | is to enlist Conservatism on our side-tha1 done, the battle is won. We do not propose to accomplish this by qu arreling with the very people we hope to convert.
 Charter Oak policy-holders met at Hartford on Thursday last, accepted the proposed mu tual charter, and elected board of twenty-one directors The new board is said to be an ex cellent one, and the reformed management starts off under very favorable auspices. A vote of thanks was passed to Gov. Jewell and his associates for their able conduct of affairs, and we hope the corporation will prove sue. cessful in regaining the character and credit il lost under its old management.
 The recent sale of A per cents. effected by Secretary Shermon seems to render Resump. tion certain by or before next January. Witt that result reached, this much-abused admin istration will have satisfactorily solved two o the three great problems it took in hand on it organization little year since, e., more thai resumption, and the pacif1cation of the South