American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-03-08
ABOLISH TREATING.
The New Temperance Scheme SprfnginG
Into Popularity-An Eclectic Plan of
Reformation.

The New Temperance Scheme springine
Into Popularity-An Eclectic Plan of
Reformation.
From the New York Herald
"Treating" constitutes one of the
chief perils attaching to the custom of
imbibing spiIituous liquors, and there
are few persons who could not, if free
from its shackles, restrict the indul-
gence of their thirst to decent moder-
alton. A man meeting a group of his
| friends just as he is bent on obtaining
his afternoon allowance of ''sherry and
bitters" must, if he does not violate
usage and if he wishes to do what is ex-
pected of him, ask them all to join
him. Suppose the Whole party to mum
Der seven. Seven drinks are poured
down seven throats, willing or unwill-
ing. What is the immediate result of
this hospitality? Six other individuals
feel themselves mortgaged with an OBJ
legation to equal it. There may be
little chat, and then some one says:
"Ah, let's have another drink" Then
seven more drinks are poured down
seven Threats. More talk. Another
happy thought by another member Of
the party. Seven more drinks descend
the seven throats. More talk. A fourth
inspiration by fourth participant.
Some one who has done his fated duty
tries to beg off; has business to trans
act; ought not to drink any more. His
objection is vetoed by the asking party,
who is already slightly stimulated per-
haps. "No Sinking, ole teller, come
on!" Repetition of the gulping act by
seven performers. Every one feels the
: mellowing influence by this time.
Charley" says No. Six afiectionately
to the genius of the bar, "Giv's mother!
: All hands round!" Encore the feat of
seven men swallowing seven drinks.
No. Seven's turn has arrived. The hap
| Ply relief is near. He happens to be the
least experienced of the party. He is
already full of bliss. His words are few
but expressive. "Set 'em up again,
hic!" Up they go, and then down they
gO-seven more drinks. Let US see
Seven times seven are forty nine. And
all because one man felt like taking q
8 little "sherry and bitters.'' Perhaps
he goes home to his dinner afterward
Perhaps he don't. Perhaps he fail:
to see his wife and mother-in-law unit
the next day. Such is life in q country
where l" treating" is the custom.
There are a hundred phases of the
, evil. Not the least ludicrous is the plight
4 in which a tippler finds himself when hi
meets at the bar number of acquaint
ances, and is doubly conscious that hi
has not enough money to 60 aroune
/, and can not get credit for the requisite
7 number of drinks.
Remarks something like the above
were addressed to Herald reporter BY
!, a gentleman who is an enthusiast in tn,
new temperance movement. The re
: porter afterward paid visit to Mr.
: Henry H. Hadley, a lawyer, whose offic'
t is in the Astor House, one of the chic
i promoters of the Business Mems Society
: for the promotion and Encouragement
S of Moderation.
"Our idea," said Mr.. Hadley, l." hat
$ its origin in 1876 at meeting of tn,
:, Congressional Temperance Societ,
}, shortly after the death of Henry Wilson
L That event, it was said, was immediatelv
g caused by the excess which he indulget
: in at the dinner given him at belmont
a cos. 1t was suggested by me that mucI
u more good might be done for the tenn
o perance cause by laboring to induce
men to be moderate in their indulgence
n than by preaching the doctrine of tota
abstinence. We think it better yol
o know to go along with man it'll
it way on the path which he has chose,
}. than to stop him at the steep declivit.
where there is danger on either side, o
S his falling to greater depths.''
t 'sBut your ultimate aim is to induc
men to be total abstainersP''
d Yes, where they can not drink with
e out getting drunk. We have nothing t.
e say against wine to such as can contro
a themselves in partaking of it. We thinl
= that man is much more likely to keel
the pledge for fixed term than b
would be for all his life. No man Cal
look forward with confidence in hi
ability to fulfill promise which cover
g all of his future life.''
l. els your society yet organized?'
a "There is nucleus of five trustees
e whose number may be increased to Is
d Those that are yet to be added will b
o selected from the highest social, bust
d ness, and public positions. We are al
If ready assured that one or two Senator
,. and four Representatives will serve, bu
II 1 am not at liberty to mention thei
a names. Our system of reform tend
n toward total abstinence, but by grad
II ual progress, and at the same time
IS recognizes rights of the manufacturer
t. and sellers of intoxicating beverages
% We believe we shall gain an immens
Re following among young men. Iva
d asked by the members of the Congress
> sional Temperance Society to perfect
= plan for this movement, and they prom
n ised to cooperate with US, both by thei
a advice and their influence"
s The blue pledge of the society, whicl
$ renounces only the pra ,tice of "treat
2 ing" is embellished with an emblem
representing a pelican brooding he
+! Young, and having the Inscription: 6