New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-28
VISE VIEWS ON TEMPERANCE.


contains q symposium on the Temperance ques-
ton which deserves the careful attention OIL all
students Of that intricate problem. The editor
sent out requests several weeks ago TO score
Of representative men, asking them to suggest
practical measures for reducing the present
evils of drunkenness and liqlor-selling. Re-
plies are published from Mr.. Whittier, the Rev.
Drs. II. G. Potter and William Ii. Taylor, OF
this city, and II. W. Thomas. OF Chicagoj ex-
Governor Long, the Hon. William Is. wash
burn, ]. Max Hank and p. Il. Barnum. The
most striking thing about the replies Is the en-
tire unanimity of the eight writers concerning
the merits of prohibition as remedy. Every
one of them Ia opposed to 1t. The Editor says
that in addition 10 the letters published he re-
ceiyed others I'm which the writers SAID tliat
their views were so far out of harmony with
those of the temperance leaders that they did
not care to publish them at present, lest they
should provoke to controversy rather than to
good works. Thus it is made apparent that
nearly or quite all of the representative men
whose views were sought are agreed that the
surest way for the advocates Of temperance to
advance their cause is to confine themselves
to temperate methods and measures.
The eight replies published could all nave
been summed up in one, 80 far as unanimity on
the few main points is concerned, and signed
rs q common declaration of belief. All the
writers agree that intemporancc is great evil
that 1t is impossible to suppress 1t at once by
decree that it is useless to pass laws which are
in advance of public sentiments that 80 long as
the present restrictive laws arc not enforced, II
is folly to think of passing more stringent or
prohibitory ones and that the present duty oil
al! temperance advocates is TO unite and create
public sentiment strong enough 10 sustaln
the present enactments and thus prepare the
way for others moro stringent. The strength
of this position is undeniable. Ii is sustained
by all the writer's with earnest and convincing
arguments, which, in nearly all instances, are
a ccompanied by practical suggestions. 1t Is
evident that all the writer's have been moro or
less Influenced by the part which the prohibit
ton question PLAYED in the elections of last fall
Mr.. Whittier admits frankly that those cleo
tons convinced him that "a great Work Oh
moral suason and personal example must DC
done before law can be made available" lie
had previously thought that the dreadful evil
of intemperance might be checked and finally
abolished by legislative action" but he is con-
WINGED now that the education OF the moral
sentiment must precede legislation. DR.. Potter
finds encouragement in the increasing SYM
patty of the two wings OF temperance reform
ers-the advocates Of prohibition and the adj
yucates of license. lie thinks the present
drift of tho Temperance movement is toward
combined effort of sll its advocates in the di-
rectiOn of wise restriction, and in this" he
adds, :" can but think lies its strength"
DR.. Thomas, writing in Chicago. in State
which has lust emerged from prohibltory
amendment struggle. has the courage TO say
cannot feel that forcibe prohibition is right
as principles and am quite sure 1t would
fail as practical method" Dr.. Taylor Says
alt il idle to talk of prohibitiOn-which is the
@utmost form OF restriction-when we cannot
shave the measure Of restriction now on the
statute book carried out" These are the
views of men profoundly interested in the sub
ject, and whose sincerity cannot be questioned.
1t is of good omen to the cause of genuine tenn
perunce that such men are coming forward and
taking the reins OF leadership. The fanatics
have had too much power heretofore, and have
succeeded in retarding rather than forwarding
the movement. They have rejected in behalf
of the cause all offers of assistance which have
been made by mon or organizations not com
United to absolute prohibition, and have helped
to give SUCCESS to the open enemies OF temper
ance rather than join hands with the advocates
of restriction. The unwisdom of this policy
was clearly shown IN the elections oil last fall,
and il is most encouraging TO see that the
warning is not to pass unheeded.