St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-05-25

workers had to contend against greater
obstacles than among the English,
their well-knOwn conservatism seem
ing at times almost an insurmOuntable
barrier, but a temperance sentiment
having been once awakened there are
good grounds for believing that the re-
form will not be controlled by spas
mOdlc movements, but having once be-
gun that its progress will be steady
and genuine. The revenue returns,
which are carefully made, show a most
remarkable decrease in the cOnsump-
tion of alcoholic liquors, Mr.. Childers
having stated in his recent budget
speech that the falling off in excise du-
ties has been 3d., 5,000,000 in the last
seven years. This indicates an enOr-
nous diminutiOn in the consumption
of beer and spirits throughout the
Kingdom, IA diminutiOn not in any way
due to hard times, as is shown from
the large and steady increase of con-
sumption of tea and coffee during the
same period. Other statistics which
have been gathered prove that the
English people are becoming more
temperate. that drunkenness is not so
fruitr4, a source of crime and misery as
it has been, that education is enabling
the lower classes to overcome their
passion for drink, and is supplement-
ing the hOmely virtue of sOberness
with the common sense of thrift. A
popular interest in the cause of tenn
perance reform is felt simultaneously
i'll religious, social, and even political
circles. While among the NoncOn-
formists the agitation has for IA long
time been carried on, the work within
the Establishment has recently as
snmrd the proportions 0f great reli-
giOuS revival. At the recent annual
meeting of the Church of England
Temperance society, il membership of
46S ,674 WAS reported, including nearly
1000 in the naval, merchant and rail
way service. In fact, the results of the
movement have been so remarkable
that the Archbishop of Canterbury
feels called upon to repress indiscreet
ardor that it may not degenerate into
mere fanaticism The aristocratic class
is naturally the last to feel the effect of
II popular movement, and it is signiti-
cant that there has been among it Il
general awakening of temperance
sentiment. Only three weeks ago Il
temperance meeting was held ut the
palatial residence of the Duke of Sun
dcrland. and the Duchess herself sci
the fashion 10y decking herself with the
blue ribbon, while distinguished earls
testified to the physical benefits which
they had derived from entire abstinence
from alcohol. Throughout the country
coffee palaces, under the patronage OF
the aristOcracy, have multiplied, local
option resolutions have been passed
Sunday closing movements have been
organized, and enthusiastic temper
ance meetings have been held. 1t i,
growing evident also that the question
cannot much longer be kept out o
politics. 4 popular question alway.
| becomes political one. Sir WilfriC
Lawson, who for years past has beer
| denounced as fanatic, has been pro.
NOTED 10 the dignity of leading repre-
sentative of IL public cause. Year aftel
| year he has presented i'll the House o
| Commons his resolutions in favor o
! local option, but not until 1850 die
! they receive the attention of the House
Less than IL month ago the House de
clared that the best interests of thu
nation urgently require some efficien
measure of legislation by which "A lega
power of restraining the issue or re
newal of licenses for the sale of intoxi
eating liquors may he placed in tn,
hands of the inhabitants themselves
The question once fairly introduce,
into English politics it will hardly he
come dead issue till it receives
righteous settlement. On the whole
temperance workers are to be warml,
congratulated on the marked progres
of their cause i'll England BOstOl
Traveller