The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-04-14
Temperance Reform.


There is an evident restlessness on the
part Of the temperance people of Virginia,
or those Of them who believe in agita-
ton as means of effecting moral reform
The question of local option is taken hold
of the minds of many of them, and as it is
a question that easily arouses earnest enthu-
siasm, it would not surprise us ii reason
able excitement, at least, would speedily
follow it's consideration. The subject OF
temperance reform Is claiming the atten-
ton of other States in more pronounced
form than the reference we have made
would indicate in this State. The Legisla-
ture of Kansas has adopted a stringent
liquor law more exacting than the Maine
liquor law, even going so far as to inhibit
the use of wine at the sacrament. Such
excessive zeal does not aid in the substan-
tial growth of the cause, because it is ,tfen-
sive to the traditional reverence VIII oh per-
tains to every one raised under christian in
fuence, who, whether a church member
and communicate or not, recognizes the
usages of his fathers and the hallowed as
socations which cluster around the family
and church affairs. The Legislature of
Texas has also passed to it's last stage a
prohibitory law, and will doubtless finally
enact it. This is new field for temper
ance propagandism and very wide one TO"
reform. 1t is the last State we would have
expected to take hold of the subject of
temperance for legislative consideration,
and certainly for the enactment OF law
prohibiting the manufacture OF ardent
spirits. 1t argues a much more healthy
public sentiment than has been generally
assigned to that restless, daring and reck-
less population, and gives assurance that
che immense emigration that is filling up
the affluent territory of that Common
wealth is composed of men of moral force
and convictions, who will lay the founda-
ton of great and prosperous country. In
Wisconsin, the Legislature could not agree
upon total abstinence law, but took an ad-
vanced step in providing penalty of IS fine
for every man who treats another. Each
man must shoulder his own sins, and can
not put in the plea that he was seduced into
taking his first glass by one of his social
neighbors. Nebraska has passed a similar
law to that of Wisconsin; and in both Of
these States every man has to do his own
drinking and his own paying too. The So
cial plea cannot be put in for gettin,
drunk. 1t must be from love of the ''cray-
teri that brings about that condition in
those States, and no accidental occurrence,
such as is pleaded in many of the older and
more settled and social communities. In
one branch of the Legislature Of Pennsyl-
mia joint resolution has been passed. pro-
posing an amendment to the State Consti-
tuition prohibiting the manufacture and
sale of Intoxicating liquors except for me-
dicinal, mechanical and scientific purposes,
which would stop the legal traffic in ardent
spirits, if the proposition should become a
part of the Constitution of that State.
We never raise question as to the motives
of those engaged in temperance agitation,
however much we may differ from the
methods sometimes resorted to. Nor are
we disposed to denounce those engaged in
the liquor trade, however much we deplore
the evil consequences thereof in many
cases. The reform must first begin with
the tipplers, for they are the ones who
bloom out into absolute drunkards in the
end, and when the disposition to tipple
ceases, then the selling of liquor will be-
come improbable, The evil is with those
who have the thirst for drink, which has
been voluntarily cultivated, and for which
they alone are responsible. Reform in this
respect cannot be effected by mere verbal
resolves, however solemnly recorded. There
must be change in the moral nature and
conception of the man in the sense of duty
to himself, to society and to God, and the
evil of intemperance considered from a
higher plane than mere mental action, be-
fore any deep and lasting reform can be eff
fected. 1t must be sincere conviction of the
desolating sin of intemperance, the great
wrong that is done in the prostitution OF
mental and moral powers to mere beastial
habit, in order to effect transformation in
the inner self and reform that is equal to
OfCly upodCiOl duu ouPCAlOi " IAO SOU
sual taste and indulgence. We have not
much faith in spasmodic excitements upon
this important subject, or in ranting ap-
peals to the Imagination and the emotional
nature. These effects are only passing, and
the cessation they occasion from dissipa-
tion is generally followed by more extrava=
CANT excuses, shocking and prostrating
physical resistance, land too frequently end
ing in death and ruin. Genuine temper
ance is the growth of the closet more than
of the rostrum, and without the flavor Of
an inspiration higher and more sacred than
emotional excitement, there is great danger
that the last estate will be worse than the
first, and deceptive reliance upon self,
prove fatal stumbling block.