The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-08-24
Temperance.

1hC hPOi ohSS 4uOcUaoh wa SAAsSN A'ASS
the politics OF Ohio and Indiana very prom
inently in the approaching election. The
Democrats have taken decided grounds on
the side Of anti-prOhibition, while the Re-
publicans favor restricted law upon the
subject of license, as a check to the indis-
criminate sale of intoxicating liquors. In
Kansas there is a constitutional provision
inhibiting the manufacture or sale OF
liquors in that State, and the same liz Iowa.
In Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, North
Carolina and Texas organized movements
have been inaugur ated favorable to pro-
hibition, and throughout New England, the
temperance sentiment Is so strong as to
have controlling influences with all par
ties.
1t is apparent that there is a growing con-
victiOn throughout the country against the
indiscriminate use of intox icating liquors.
In all the social circles, public sentiment is
assuming an aggressive relation to the sub
lect, inviting to greater eircumspectiOn in the
use of intOxicants, and reprobating those
who indulge in them to excess. There is q
marked change in this respect within the
past decade and 1t is becoming more 30 eve
ry year. In politics, in business. in social
life, there is a disposition to hold as unfit
for public or private trusts those who ha-
bitually benumb their senses by the excess
sive use of liquors, and this tendency is
increasing daily.
The question of Temperance is destined
at no distant day to engage much larger
share Of public attention than it does now.
The many evils to society which flow from
the excessive use Of liquors-the crimes
and misery it breeds, are arousing the con-
sciousness of the nation, and in some form
or another the whole subject will be passed
upon by public judgment. Whether it
will assume the shape OF great national
question, to be dealt with by restrictive laws
and constitutional inhibition, 1t is impos-
sble now to determine. But that it will
be agitated on enlarged theatres and for a
comprehensive purpO' o, sooner or later, we
have not the least dot BIT
1t is true that from the earliest records Of
man, intox icants have been used, in one
form or another, and it would seem that.
speaking generally. the human organ ism
requires some kind of stimulant to
strengthen its vitality and assist its func-
tions. But the great abuse which the habit
OF liquor drinking tends to, and the i'm
mense harm it entails upon society, are
touching the public conscience and invok-
ing an attention never before 80 seriously
and earnestly drawn to it. How the habit
can be restricted and the evil eradicated,
through statutory enactments, has never
appeared clear to US and yet the first step
to its cure is to make the traffic illegal
Certainty SO long as the laws countenance
it and the State depends upon it for reve-
nue. 80 long will it defy public sentiment and
incite to excuses.
Possibly out Of the general agitation OF the
question, and its agitation Is becoming lgen-
eral, some plan may be evolved which will
comprehend the subject in all its bearings,
and strike at the root of the evil, without
affecting unfavorably vested rights, or ne
cesstating sumptuary enactments, for in
these we have but little, If any confidence.
Concern on the question Is spreading rap
idly, and it is not amiss to call attention to
it, that all may be prepared to consider it
as it relates to society and good govern
ment, and affects the political affinitles
as they now exist. 1t is a moral force, and
will move on, in defiance Of all mere hui
man impediments, and work out its ends,
in spite of opposition, for the benefit Of
mankind.