New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-09
TEMPERANCE IN ENGLAND.


mar kable progress in England. The revenue
returns afford unans werable proof OF the de-
creased consumption Of alcoholic liquors Mr..
Chlders showed in the course of his recent
Budget speech that the revenue from excise
duties is now $25, 900, 600 less than it was
seven years ago. This indicates an enormous
diminution in the consumption of beer and
spirits throughout the United Kingdom. That
this decrease is not due to hard times or COM
IN ercial depression is proved by the steady in
crease in the consumption Of tea during the
same period. The English people are becoming
more temperate. Drunkenness is not so fruit
full q source of misery and crime as it has been.
Education is enabling the working classes to
overcome their passion for drink, is giving
them the mastery over themselves, and is eking
out the hOmely virtue of sobeIness with the
common sense of thrift.
The popular interest which is felt in the cause
of temperance is evinced simultaneously in re-
lgious, social and political circles. Among the
NonconfnImsts the agitation has long been
carried on with zeal, and within the Estab lish-
ment itself the work has assumed the proper
tons of a genuine religious revival. The re-
turns from the various diOceses read at the an
nual meeting of the Church of England lem
perance Society a fortnight ago registered
total membership Of 4GS, GA, including $4,000
in the navy and merchant service and large
number of railway employees. The work al
ready involves an annual outlay OF $llo,OOO
and is enlsting the aid and encouragement Of
a large body Of the clergy Indeed, SO remark
able are the results OF the movement that the
Archbishop of Canterbury instead Of strivlng.to
awaken zeal deems it necessary to repress in
discreet dor by warning the society that sue
cess must not lead TO fanaticism. Outside the
religious organizations interest has been mani
tested by all classes of English society. A fort
nj ght ago an anstOcratc temperance meeting
was held at Stafford House, the palatial resi-
dence Of the Duke of Sutherland, and the
Duchess herself set the fashion for the great
houses by decking herself wi(h the blue rib
bon. Distinguished oarls testified to the phys
ical benefits which they had derived from en-
tire abstinence from alcohol orators with his
torc titles presented cogent arguments for the
adhesion of blue blood to the principles of tenn
perance; and at the close of the proceedings
patricans of both sexes signed the pledge and
formally enlisted In the cause of social regen-
GRAFTON. The aristOcratc class is naturally the
last to feel the influence of a popular move
ment Throughout the country coffee palaces
have multiplied, local option resolutions have
been passed, Sunday CLOSING movements have
been organized, and enthusiastic temperance
meetings have been held. 1t is popular up
rising.
popular question is inevitably a political
question. Sir Wilfrid Lawson, after being de-
spised rs fanatic and tolerated on the floor Of
the House of Commons only because he had
grotesque humor is now promoted to the dig
nifty of leading representative of public cause |
Year after year his resolutions in favor of local
option were introduced, but not until 1850 were
they considered seriously. Then it was. that |
the House registered its opinion that the people |
ought to have the power OF protecting them |
selves from ntcmpcrance. This resolution was |
reafl.rmed and fortnight ago by |
a 4 ecisve majority of 81 the House declared |
that the best interests of the nation urgently |
require some efficient measure of legislation by |
which legal power of restraining the issue or |
renewal of licenses tor the sale of intoxicating |
liquors may he placed in the hands of the in
habitants themselves. The Government on this |
occasion accepted Sir Wilfrid Lawson's resolu-
ton in principle, while reservng to themselves
The right in future legislation of carrying it into
effect in their own way. AS the Home Secre-
tary defined the position of the Ministry, they
voted for giving this power into the hands of
those who were vitality interested, namely, tho
people of the locality, but left themselves free
to pronounce how the opinion of the people
should be ascertained ana exercised. This is
long way in advance of previous Parliamentary
innal IN Ina linn
when temperance will he not only popular
agitation sad Radical hobby. bat Govern
nent question to be announced in the Queens
speech and debated in earnest Oh the floor rs