Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-04-05
A PLEA AGAINST TREATING

couragement OF Moderation" It's ceFtI- |
fcate states its object to be TO encourage |
moderation in the use of alcoholic bever- |
ages, TO promote knowledge Of science
and statistics relative to the manufacture
ofalcoholic liquors, to dissem mate among
the people useful information regarding
the principles of moderation and the
means of carrying such principles into
practical effect. The society intends to
prepare and furnish to applicants three
forms of pledge. The first total absti
nence pledge, operative for one year, and
renewable thereafter at the win of the
pledger ; the second pledge binding the
person who takes It not to drink during
business hours, and the third pledge not
to partake Of intoxicating liquors at the
invitation OF any other person to drnl; at
his expense. The society is also to exert
its influence to induce retail liquor dealers
to provide for teetotalers stimulating and
nourishing beverages which con tain no
alcohol. Still another purpose of the
society is TO encourage the establishment
ofplaces ofcheap recreation and amuse-
ment where no intoxicating drink shall be
sold. The time ofexistence Of .he society
is fixed at twenty years, and it will begin
operations at once.
With mankind persuasion is more
potent than force example more efica-
cious than restriction or argument. Our
young men learn the habit ofdrinking by
the encouragement which they receive
from social example. One babitual drink
er who is not excessive in his indulgence,
assures us that he drinks nine times by
Invitation where he imbIbes once by de-
sire. His normal appetite asks for only
quantum ofalcoholic stimu!ant, which his
system may absolutely need but he takes
ten times as much as he requires, and whs
will dare deny that physical damage does
not result?
Now if, instead of being invited to drink
he was discouraged from drinking by the
negative example Of those who never in
vito another, and never accept an invita-
tion, we demand TO know the direct re-
suit so much desired by advocates Of tenn
perancc would not be Immediately reach
cd ? Sociality is the life and nourishmcnt
ofthat habit known as " treating" What
solemn time tpplers and wine bibbers
would have if.hey were obliged to drink
solus, all by themselves, as one takes med
icine, with every mans back turned
10 him, and face set rigidly against
the time worn custom And further
more, would not the very act Of drink
ing such spirituous liquors as whisky
rum and gin, presently become as
dstasteful in itself, under this new
dicipline, as taking tho dose of medicine
would be? for VINO but TIE old topper
likes the taste of whisky? Watch the
young man at the bar and see with what
heroism and contraction of muscle
they swallow the poison they have
''nom mated" and how quickly they
grasp for the water to quench the fire
raging in their throats. Would they
voluntarily 60 through this trying or
NVhi WCiO ~ NV AOi PibsNhNo VI
others whose false manhood they tried
TO emulate? Even the steady middle
aged business man who has contracted the
habi. of taking dram or two, through
real or fancied need, would go less fre>
quently, we think, ifhe d lid not invite or
expect tc meet some acquaintance at his
favorite place of quiet resort. The multi
tude ofdriRking places on 'Change are
enriched by the lavish expenditures Of
brokers whose very life and charms of
business inhere in the social elements
thereof. Establish the rule proposed
by the Society Of Moderation, +" and nine
tenihs Of the sample rooms would have
TO close. Conyivialty is the outcome OF
sociality, and the first step to inebriety.
Solitary drinkers can never be convvial
One most charming feature of the new
society's metaphysics is, that it leaves to a
man 10 judge Of his own disabilities and
requirements, and gives him option to
choose the remedy. 1t appeals to his
manhood and sense ofself respect. Some
men of certain temperament or physical
condition require stimulent in business
hours more than at any other time, Other
men, with feverish blood, and thirsty
would often be better content with q bey.
erage which contains no alcohol, could
they obtain it as easily as alcohol. The
measures the new society provide for the
substitute. If there are other men who
hope bya temporary period Of abstinence
toscotch or kill an accursed craving fo
liquor, the one year pledge is offered il
their aid. We know how often pledges
fail, and how naturally an honorable dis
conragement attaches to the evidences O
ones weakness; how often noble mon give
up and grovel, for that very lack ofsympa
thy and encouragement which is now held
out to them through that com bination oi
effort promised in the CO. operative society
for The Encouragement of Moderation. ;"
We believein the nobler impulses ofmen
and we believe also that social influences
obtain for good as well as for evil. 1t is
not sufficient for man 10 set his face against
esil he must be sustained in his resolu-
ton. either by Divine help, or by the help
oi his fellow men. If he has no faith in the
nrst, he may at least place some confidence
IN the last. The principal upon which the
new Association seems to be founded is
contained in that great commandment
Love thy neighbor as thyself; and do
unto all men as ye would they should do
unto you IN. Y. Forest and Stream.
do you drink?" asked lady of .
peddler. He dropped his pack and re
marked: "Vell, shust lieve drini
nit you as any odder mans.n