Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-10-11
How LADY Macdonald Joined the
TeeIOIAlera.

IeeLOL3leFBs
The English Messenger Of Peace gives the
following extract from a letter written by
Lady Macdonald, the wife Of the Canadian
Premier, to friend in Savannah, Ga: 81
was myself led to give up wine drinking
after some reflection, suddenly, at last on
Christmas day, 1865. had thought good
deal on the subject, but never made any de-
cided resolution until this day, when, at
dinner with large party, the conversation
turned on total abstinence. One OF our
guests, himself a strictly temperate man,
holding nigh Office in our county (then and
now, said that practically total abstinence
was impossible for any one society. l said.
laughinglv, what dreadful statement l
quite differ from vou.' He took me up
warmly, and several Joined in, all without
exception agreeing with him in saying that
the requirements of modern society were
such that no one could be so singular as to
become a teetotaler without being more or
less ridiculous, and that the fatigues, ex
element and wear and tear Of political So
ciety life especially made the use Of wine,
in great moderation of course, absolutely
| necessity. l entered the lists, scarcely
know why, and declared l did not believe
this theory.
cat last the question was pressed more
| closely. My friend who had begun it, said
that he did not believe You, yourself, Lady
| Macdonald, could or would give up
your glass Of sherry at dinner l asked,
| WHY not ? and he went over with great
force and clearness all the speciOus and
dangerous arguments that are urged in
support of drinking wine in mod
ration, ending with the remark
that in Sir Johns public posi-
! ton, my being a total abstainer would Go
| him great harm politically. This seemed
too monstrous, so said Complying ny half
| glass Of sherry into the finger glas> | said
SOY, We'll, l will try: henceforwsr enter
the ranks Of total abstainers, anu drink to
our success in water
"Siuce then, thank God, 1 have never
found any necessity for wine In health
can do nv life's work without any aid frCm
dangerous stimulants. In sickness | have
Invariably and positively refused to touch 1t.
have sometimes, for weeks together, days
o. constant occupation, nights Of almost
al sitting up. Politics are exciting and
f4figuing and every temptation to try
S imuants is to be found in the late nights
OF listening to anxious debates, and the
constant necessity of being up to the mark
late and early. | have had a great deal
of nursing to do with a delicate hus-
band and child, aud this often during our
busiest society season., anu YET nave uchcI
sought strength from wine at any single
moment, and my health is far better than
that of so many of my friends who take
glass of wine or beer Just to give them lit
tie strength.
sThus give you my experience as far as
it goes to show that stimulant is not neces-
sary in the station OF life where 1t is unfor
tunately most commonly used. So far as
mental and bodily fatigue go, | have tested
the possibility of doing without stimulants
to the fullest extent in long,
anxious hours over sick beds,
in sudden disaster, in long wstchings,
and journeys where food was uninviting,
and in many fstiguing and very uncon-
genial society claims. When 1 told my
husband my decision and that our friend
said that it would hurt his Dospects poll l.
cally, Sir John answered with laugh, 20,
1 will risk the prospects; you can be total
abstaIner If you like Ny example can
and ought to help many similarly situated"
-New York Tribune.