The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-05-06
TEMPERANCE VS.. ABSTINENCE.

the traveller is generally given information
and the privilege Of going which one he may
choose. In the great pilgrimage to lions
Hill, it is written there have been exception
nj instances where guides were somewhat
partial to one or another particular road and
offered indulgences, speedy transit and spe-
cial favors to those who journeyed with
them. 1t is even a matter Of tradition that
pilgrims have been kept In particular paths
by fire and sword and penal threats of perdi-
glance were cast beyond the narrow confines
Of the designated way. But, aside from this
interference with individual privilege in mat
tiers spiritual and ecclesiastical, man has
generally, and especially in later years, been
accorded full liberties and privileges as a free
moral agent In the development of his NOR
al or immoral and intellectual nature and
the pursuit Of happiness. Liberality in this
respect has even run to excess in this coun-
try, as witnessed in the liberation of the
Oneida Community, the encouragement Of
professional starving and the practice of Po-
lygamy by ineffective laws that keep better
ones Off the statute books.
But reaction has come about-in one re-
spect, at least. 1t is none the less remarka-
BILE that 1t is ridiculous in its outcrop, and its
results may not be less baleful that the reac-
ton is led by bigots and inculcated by zeal
OTIS. Some time since an organization was
started In an eastern city to induce modera-
ton in the use Of intoxicating liquors. 1t
was composed principally of business men
who habitually used liquors, and the object
was to encourage temperance and restrain
the members from excess. 1t was set forth
that the appetite of mankind for stimuIants,
and the supply Of these stimulants, as dem
onstrated by the history of all ages and all
peoples, were recognized facts that the ex-
istence of people who totally abstained from
their use was also recognized and apprecia-
ted, and that this association sought only to
protect those who would not totally abstain
from growing habits and excessive indul-
gence, and that 1t was believed much good
could be accomplished by 1t. The project
met with favor from some prominent philan-
thropists and from certain influential secular
journals who regard the world and It's people
from practical standpoint. 1t would nat
urally appear this would be welcomed by
the abstinence people as a strong and help
full auxiliary force. The reverse was the
result. Instead OF meeting with favor at
their hands, 1t has opened up war Of intol-
erance from the abstinence people and the
advocates are denounced as the
worst enemies of the cause. In turn the |
people are sailing into the absti-
hence folks, and altogether 1t Is only the |
hard drinkers who can look on the row with |
that degree of composure with which Mrs.
Mossup witnessed the conflict between Mr.. |
Mossup and the bear. Having exhausted log. |
ic and facts, the contestants have commenced |
quoting Scripture to each other, the abstain
es holding that wherever wine is commend
ed In the Bible IL refers to the pure, infer
mented juice Of the grape, and wherever
1t Is the fermented article that is
referred TO, while the temperance people re-
.aliate by proving that fermentation must have
In instances cited where the use of
wine was approved, and that the abstlnents
are as ignorant as they are bigoted. The
has already run to the extent Of
. movement to use only unfermented grape
uice ut communion, and to excommuRicate
fermented from hard cider to easy
thinkers. So.
The diversity Of opinion between the con-
estants will never be harmonized. The
emperance advocates are practical; the to-
al abstinence advocates are theorists. These
wo classes Of mankind always clash. In
emperance Is the great evil of the world.
: cannot be exterminated; 1t may be les
ened. Whoever totally abstains Is safe
Whoever INDUCES is In danger. Therefore, each
4 these organizations have their proper
phere and orbit within which good might be
one; but II those who stand high up on the
lifts Of Abstinence refuse fellowship with
hose who rally on the lower lands Of Tenn
erance, to save comrades from the quick
ands Of excess and the eager breakers Of
issoluteness, they play the Pharisee. ignore
uman nature and human appetites, and
trough hardness Of heart give over 10 the
ulf the many, and many Of the best. Hea-
en- Ia not reached at single bound. Tenn
erance In . round on the ladder Of Absti-
ence. There are millions 1t the foot who !
eed helping hands to reach positions more
ecure or restrain from lower depths. The
1ar Of the Abstinence people upon the Tenn
GRANGE people looks like the onslaught Of ID
avage foe upon surfmen striving " sase
,om the waves those, who are vrecked. orJ
:rsnded or In danger Of being carried doSa
4 pilless SEQ or srukea on = nerc1iess
aore. 1t b return 10 Intolerance and hlg-
Try, peshaps prompted BY good motives, butt 4