Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-02-23
INTOXICANTS.
Their Abuse-What Is to be
Done About II?


Done About It?
Editor OF the Register:
Your present correspondent has been
familiar with the temperance question
from It's origin; say for fifty years past
a period covering the lifetime Of most
OF those who are now writing and talk
ing about it. On this account, il for no
other reason, he thinks that his views
are entitled to some respect. That the
temperance reform-ss we shall call it
has, within that time, accomplished the
most wonderful results, is Q stubborn
fact, which nothing but ignorance,
stupidity, or wilful persistence in error,
will attempt to deny. 1t may be IN.
quired, How these results have been
brought aboutf' To answer this quet-
ton fully and satisfactorily, would open
a large field OF discussion. which We
cannot, at present, attempt to occupy.
Suffice it to say, that during the last
fifty years, the temperance question
has assumed variety OF phases; some.
times taking the form OF simple moral
suasion, at others, OF anti.license, local
option, prohibition by State legislation,
&c. But, in each of these
stages-if we may 30 speak
notwithstanding times of occasional OBJ.
scuration, the march OF temperance has
haan coptinu,nsly opwarl The do
feats with which the cause has, from
time to time, met, have only served to
make its friends correct the errors oil
their plans, enabling them again and
again TO come up to the work with an
additional impetus. That most of the
objections which have been urged
against the various temperance measures
that have been employed are mere
sophistries, is too plain TO be denied ;
that some OF them are we'll founded is
equally true-to err is human; but, that
the difficulties in the way OF final sue
cess are insurmountable, is PROPOSE
ton that should not, and will not, be
entertained for moment.
Win regard to prohibition by State
legislation, candor compels us to say,
that we are by no means sure that it is
the best mems that could be devised; (;
but other means that have been
adopted having proved partial or total
failures, it may be said that prohibition
is worthy, at least, of fair trial. All
governmental me isures-nay, every
thing that belongs TO human progress
are experimental. Why not, then, give
it fair trial? 1t has been tried, and, to
a considerable extent, successfully
tried in other States. Statements made
in the Senate, and elsewhere, to the
contrary-as could easily be shown
are, in many respects, gross exaggora-
tions and misreprese nations. We are
not, however, called upon at present to
establish this proposition, but could do
so in due time if the demand were
made.
That one thing has proved a failure,
we think, ought to be evident TO all men
of experience and observation; and that
is, the much vaunted plan OF regulating
and restricting" Regulating and re.
stricting," indeed, We have seen this
effectually tried. in the City OF Wheeling,
lOi l'lc Iaot tuiiy years, ubu sct thc
work Of destruction goes on with fearful
and increasing strides; and-we regret
to ssy-thst the parties who are the
strongest advocates OF the restrictive"
system, are the very ones whose iniu-
ence is most strongly exerted against its
wholesome operation. We mean TO say
and We appeal to their own consciences
to say, il it Is not so-members ofthe Bar
members OF Council, members of the
the Police, and politicians generally
with honorable exceptions OF course |;
and so it ls everywhere, and so it will
continue to be, until some more effec-
tive system can be adopted.
Now the only remaining question is,
What are the friends of temperance go
ing to do about it? Give up the ship?
Leave the matter in The hands OF the
regulators and restrict ,rs?" Leave the
flower OF our families & the--dogs, as
they are now doing? This would be
about equivalent TO q surrender. But
we shall see. PLAIN TALK.