The Hawaiian gazette., 1883-08-22
Dalraiialt 6azette.
WEpNEspAY. AUGUST q, lss3.
TEMPERANCE TRUTHS,
Address Before Algeroba Lodge, i. o. G. T..

Lodge, /. o. G. T. celebrated their first ami
versary, at the Y. NJ. C. A. hall in this city.
On that occasion the following address was
delivered by Mrs. Hugh HASTE and the CON-
ments made, having been most favorable the
address is here reproduced for the benefit of
our readers. The speaker said
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN As our worthy
Chairman has lust informed you, we meet this
evening in this social reunion to celebrate
the first anniversary Of this Temperance
organization. Doubtless the occasion brings
forth many pleasant recollections, and let us
hope that this may be the first of long series
Of such happy birthdays in the history Of this
Temperance Lodge.
While this event brings before US . great
good that is being wrought in our midst, it
also brings us face to face with great erii.
One that threatens to move like a cloud. over
shadUwing the land or, like the willy serpent,
creeping with stealthy pace, finding its home
in every licensed bar-room, issuing thence on
its foul mission, prowling through the land,
its fangs dripping with the blood of its vic
tins.
This drink traffic is increasing in power,
multiplying its attractions, and extending its
haunts Of infamacy, until the unsightly struct-
uTes threaten TO appear at every street-corner
and their noisy revels to be the bane of every
street. 1t is defying public opinion, entrench
ing itself behind "high sanction" it claims
support protection and even extension from
those high in authority-those violating the
fundamental principle Of constitutional gov
eminent, which declares that the will of the
people shall be the supreme law. Let us for a
moment pause and look at the visible results
of this drink traffic on all the dearest interests
Of mankind. Look at its action as written upon
the broad page of society generally. In the
countless hearts that have long silently
bled beneath their load of misery and shame,
until they can bleed in silence no longer.
Millions Of such sigh amongst the living to
day, while many-oh how many have hidden
their crushed and weary hearts in the grave
See it yearly beggaring mulutudes of families,
quenching the light of thousands of once happy
homes in anguish and despair. See the ruin
and delapidation which it spreads over thrifty
and prosperous communities. Read it in the
loss and degradation of character, in the loss
even to this little Nation, of men, whose early
history gave promise Of all that was bright
and full Of hope for their country, but whose
sun set even while 1t was vet noon, for how
many, alas! have fallen from the high spheres
OF honor and truth, and the esteem and love of
the people. 1t is sad to reflect, dear friends,
that such has been the fatal record of many Of
this Nations best and brightest men. tits
sadder still to think that it may continue to be
the record Of many in our midst tonight. Yet
how different-oh how very different would
this have been if the foul iend of drink had
never been permitted to prowl and range,
through this fair garden which nature has
adorned so plenteously When the passion
for : 1rinl. rains Of ~
becomes the ruling passion. 1t respects
neither age nor sex, high social position nor
brilliant intellectual gifts, offer no certain
immunity from its ravages, it attacks all
sorts and conditions of mel" reduces them 10
abject trembling slavery and slowly perhaps,
but surely draws them within its awful vortex.
1t feeds upon the very vitals OF society, and
Poisons the life blood Of the most gifted, the
best and fairest Of earth's sons and daughters.
1t will be well while we are considering the
amount Of human misery and suffering that
this indulgence in strong drink is capable Of
producing, to also glance at the pecuniary
aspect of the question.
Does not this poisonous alcohol enervate
and cripple all the industrial energies Of the
people? does it not weaken and paralyze the
strong arm of husband, brother, or friend ?
does It not drain and waste the glorious God
given strength Of our cookers, of our bread
lcimerS? thus striking at the very core and
fountain-head Of a nations wealth and indie
pendence.
There are few nations who do not commit
themselves to some kind Of extravagant ex-
penditure, this often of very oppressive
character. Under this headI may class someof
the gigantic military organizations Of Europe,
at the present day. They Cypress the poor
toiler by the heavy taxes that are imposed upon
him in order to support them, while they
menace the weaker nations by their aggressive
and war-like character. This country HdV or
may not he free from e.rtrdrgqdm expenditure F;
but after a careful perusal of the statistical
records, feel safe in saying that the National
expenditure in drink, exceeds the National
revenue.
There seems growing disposition on the
part of "the powers that be" in this COM
munity-to grant more licenses for the sale Of
intoxicating drinks. Certainly young
country is not bound to be guided by the
actions or traditions of one older than itself,
but it is a remarkable fact that while the pre-
sent Licensing Act of this Kingdom-An
Act which j think every one present will
agree with me in saying has done much to
facilitate the sale Of drink-was being advo-
| Gated by the Ministers Of King Kalakaua, the
restrictive Legislature in this particular matter
Mr.. W.E.Gladstone in a very able speech which
he made upon that occasion said tbat-"drink
was more disastrous than war, pestilence, or
famine"
As TO its demoralizing influence upon the
people, recent medical evidence given before
a high tribunal of law as to the physical condi-
ton Of the masses, cries aloud, and demands by
every feeling Of sympathy and humanity that
can touch or guide the policy Of the rulers of
this Kingdom, that this traffic, be prohibited
by law.
at Is neither right, nor polite for the State
| to grant legal protection 10 any trade or sys-
ten that tends TO increase crime TO waste the
national resources, to corrupt the social
habits, and to destroy the health and lives of
the people"
We have to beware of class of politicians
who while they profess great love for the peo-
| pie, are ready at any moment to sacrifice that
peoples dearest interests TO their ownsselfish
aggrandizement,o r in order 10 gain the support
OF the organized rum-seller, or who under the
charm Of that much mis-used word liberty"
encourage the people to give rein to Gerry
passion and Righteousness, which in plain Ian
guage simply means giving them liberty TO
EIH themselves without legislative let or
hndTance. There is a trite saying that lyon
cannot make a people sober and virtuous by
legal enactment" there may be a grain of
truth in this statement, but l think that every
one will concur with me in saying that the
lac is powerful factor in human education
and morals; and think-nay, am sure that
the law odR and ought TO make it very easy
to do right but rsry hard to do wrong.
But cannot we do something TO dispel this
dark cloud of ignorance that amongst our
| people especially seems to overhang this mo-
mentous question-can we not appeal to their
| higher-and better nature, and Just here, and
before closing my remarks, should like to ask
the members of the various churches, temper
ance and other social reforms who may be
preseut-what are you doing TO dispel this
ignorance amongst the people generally;
what are you doing to cultivate an intelligent
perception of the physiological and other
aspects of the question: Where is your tenn
perance literature in native OF English that
should be sent through the length and breadth
of the land What use do you make of the
newspapersS H" EEE
Many causes may combine to hinder the
progress of this Reform, but as to It's ultimate
success no right thinking man or woman can
have any doubt-just for a moment compare
It's feeble lettering footsteps of ffty wears opo