The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1884-09-27

denominatcd by virtue Of one of
the primary meanings Of the word,
provided they can justify the princi-
pie upon which they read it. Thus,
temperance is defined as, " lIabi-
tual moderation in regard to the in
diligence of the natural appetites
and passions" and temperance peo-
pie, denying that the appetite for
strong drink is a natural one, have
only to demonstrate that it is not, TO
prove that any person possessed Of
such IN appetite is not temperate il
he indulge it in any degree. Ac-
cording to this statement of the
case. which we think cannot be
shown wrong or unfair, those who
attack the position of the temperance
people on the ground of their usurp-
ing a name not belonging to them,
are not facing the real issue. The
temperance people challenge their
opponents upon the proposition that
Intoxicating drink in any quantity,
or at any interval, is not only not
necessary but not beneficial. 1t is
the part of wise men who may differ
with them to show that they are
wrong, either in whole or in part,
and not to keep crying out against
their alleged incorporate advocacy
of their cause. Giving their oppo-
nents the benefit of the term, the
excessive" use of strong drink
produces such an abundance and an
intensity of evil. that denunciation
of the evil and its causes is an easy
matter for any that may under
take it. Therefore, from the in
ception of the modern temperance
movement there have been doubtless,
at all stages and in all places, many
who went beyond the limits of pro.
priety and exhibited injudiciousncss
in its advocacy in the pulpit. press
and platform. However much the
movement may have suffered from
this cause, it does not detract from
the merits of the main question.
Gradually the movement has grown
in numbers and influence, until now
its opponents have infinitely more to
meet than the utterances Of the
typical temperance lecturer, who is
usually represented us consummatc
ranter. The propagandism of total
abstinence and prohibition has been
reinforced by the calm evidence of
science that alcohol is not necessary
but harmful to the human constitu-
ton. 1t has been proved n deterrent
instead of a help in the art of heal
ing, by ample experiment in hospi-
tails and in the most eminent private
practice on both sides of the Allan
tic. a large array of the physicians
of England have put themselves on
record to the same effect Medical
professors in leading schools, even
some who use it themselves, demon
strate to their students that the in
variable result of the use of strong
drink is to produce organic derange-
ment proportioned to the amount Of
indulgence and the constitution Of
the user Insurance companies have
come by investigation and experience
to discriminate between-not the
Incorporate in the ordinary accepta-
ton: they will have nothing to do
with him--the habitual user of strong
drink and the abstainer, in favor of
the latter. Actuaries have demon
stratcd that human life is inevitably
shortened to habitual users of alco-
holic beverages. These are some of
the things that the advocates of So
called moderation are challenged to
controvert, and a discussion of which
would be more profitable than carp
ing at the methods and words of
individual advocates of temperance.
1t is not question of sclf-control,
or $ weak " and strong" brothers
at all, but one as to whether alcohol
is or is not poison in any form or
quantity which the race would be
better without.
EDITORIAL NOTES.