New-York tribune., 1879-04-12
ENCOURAGING MODERATION
OBJECTS OF THE NEW SOCIETY.

OBJECTS OF THE NEW SOCIETY.
FIRST PUBLIC MEETING OF THE BUSINESS MEMS
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. BY =. b. THURBERr
HENRY II. HADLEY, DR. HOWARD CROSBY, Mr..
FRoTHTNGHAM, PETER COOPER. ASD OTHERS
WISE AND TIMELY WORDS OS DRINKING.
At Chickerng Hall last evening was held the first
public meeting of the Business Mems Society for
the Encouragement of Moderation. The society is
a new one, having been incorporated on January
25, 1879. Each member Of the audience. which
nearly filled the hall, was presented with
copies of the four pledges proposed by
the society and with a Temperance song
book entitled "1hc Golden Mean" from which a
number of songs were sung during the exercises.
Upon the platform seated +. b. Thurbcr presI'
dent, and Henry II. Hadley, secretary of the soci'
ETY., the venerable Peter Cooper. the Rcy. DR. Howe
ard Crosby. Thurl0w Weed, the Rev Q. Il. Froth'
ingham, Walt Whitman, Elwood +. Thorne, and
others.
The meeting was opened with brief address by
President Thurbcr who said that the society sought
to utilize the influence of a large class of persons
who did not entertain total abstinence views.
:" We are" he said, " fighting the same enemy that
the extreme total abstinence advocates are con'
tending against but choose rather 10 flank the
enemy than uscessly 10 hurl our forces against ha
strongly intrenchcd position
Mr. Haley, the secretary OF tue rotfiA, hH'u
made an address in which he set forth the prnci.
pies and objects of the organization. After alud.
ing 10 the Importance of the work, he sad That me
society had made no new departure It's founders
had carefully surveyed the position, and perhaps had
felt as deeply in regard to the matter as
their brethren who advocated total abstinence or
nothing. They also believed IN total abstinence,
and would not raise the banner OF moderation hah
they not become convinced thai after century IN
which total abstinence and prohibition had had un-
interrupted possession of the held, drunGennr's was
more than the increase. The Sneaker though9
that the time had passed when sensible man "ouli
10 an intelligent audience, in the cNpecati0no or
being believed. that those who deal IA aicohohd
drinks murdcrcrs, aud that All VINO dfink are on
the downward road TO hell. The new society pro-
posed to direct It's efforts against excess.
IL said nothing upon the question OIL Hghs
or wrong In the manufacture and sale or
intoxicating liquors. The tratle existed
under the protection OF the law, ana hdd becolno
one OF the greatest American lhduSlie . Nor Was
II proposed 10 suggest legislation 10 chec" lh'oAGa-
ton. laws were needed only 10 pirNtht llo
adulteratlOn of liquors and the sale ot them ~
minors drunkardS. Prohibition had b''h tilet
and had proved pOwerleSs 10 annihilatc EVIL AMI
il was time that something more efficient should DO
tried The work should not be lett TO rehgious So
cietles alone but the proper persons q remedy the
evils growing out OF the "whlskey question were
the business men of the community lpe society
offers four forms of pledges. The hrsf. OF req
color il pledge of total abstinence. Inc second
is white, and binds the sgner not TO
drink during business hours. The blue pledge
prohibits treating at public bars, ana no
last, on which is flag of red, white and blue,
limits the signcr TO nothing stronger than wine and
beer, and permits these only at meals ana ia mod
Grafton. The pledges all begin with tie words L
hereby soemnly pledge my sacred honor" and no
appeal is made TO God for help. Mr.. lladley ex-
planned this omission by saying that heretofore
"entiTely too much responsibility mas Dcch pldceu
upon the Almighty"
who said This looks like business. 1t looks
more like business than anything have seen III
thirty years. When tho business men of
the country take hold OF such thing
as this it inspires hopes in me that never ever
have been fighting ntemperance for thirty years
started with false theories. They COMPOUNDED mod
Grafton with excess and their principal shafts nave
been aimed not at ntemperance but at moderate
drinkers You stand on broader basis and seek
true fraternization with them; As l iooKed az
ferred the blue one; 1he great trouble
in the community, | believe, grows QUO
Of the miserable business OF treating. never
believed for moment that moderation leads tn
excess. think that from this time forward the
rum-shops of this city will recognize you as ther-
greatest and most formidable enemy
Letters expressing sympathy with the purposes Oh
the society from the Rev. Dr. Henry 1. Potter,
Clinton b. Fisk and others were read by Llwo9d
+. Thorne. The Rev. Mr. rockingham was the
II gives me uneigned satisfaction he sand, to seq
Such demonstration as this in such canSe a. thla.
The evil of intemperance breaks mp the family,
hood Of women, and runs all hope OF tho
progress of civilized men,. IL IS impossi-
drunkards. | have profound sympathy Tor
those who advocate total abstinence. Though not
a total abstainer myself, recognize the fact that
there are "A great many persons who must abstain
wholly or be wholly lost Let us stand by the law
10 the letter. Many people specially regard whao
is ordained. As we have been informed many times
i'm public of late, official utterauccs IN thS c0nil-
trv are always To be respected. Laughter Drinking
"a n social vice il Is the most popular wee. 10
touchps the gentleman and the boOr: the working
man and the idlcr the man Of luxury and the man
of drudgerv. There Is no solitary drinking IN the
world. III the practice of treating ~ abolished,
heavy blow will be struck at drinking usdges.
This is the emphatic and decisive step.
II | were a young man brGlnnlng llio
anew woud never touch "A single diop or any
thing that could GtoXicate. Although CANNOT
sav that have suffered IN principle character or
health. from the very moderate use OF wines ~
which | have INDUCED, | think my mind would
have been clearer and would have had more USE
fu hours and more available purpose II had never
tOuched a drop.
Loud applause greeted the presidents announce;
ment that he would introduce " d. Peter C0opeT,'
who said that he had not expected TO be called upon
TO speak after so much had been said. and well
said ON the subject lie spoke of the wretchcd con-
dition of hnbitual dmukards. and claimed that
charity should be exercised toward them. be-
heve said he that the world will improve in
proportion a. il learns that whatsoever man,
state or Nation sows. that must a SO reap sooner
or later Remarks were also made by Eiwood l..
Thorue and +. T. MILAN.