The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-06-11
Temperance.
Temperance in the South.

Statistics say there are over seven millions
OF colored people in the southern states.
Or these people the majority use alcohol
in some form of intoxicating drink, the
women as well as the men. The temper
ance people have something to do to teach
temperance to these ex-slaves and their
children. Before the war, slavery gave
them almost absolute prohibition. 1t de-
preciated the value of property to permit
them to drink, so they were not allowed
to indulge in the vice. One consequence
of this is, they consider getting drunk as
one of the inalienable rights of freedom.
The negro is very initiative. This has
been against him. He saw the white man
drink and he wished to copy him. Now
that the temperance sentiment is growing
so rapidly in the South this love of imita-
ton is in his favor. This is seen in many
instances. AT Tuscaloosa, Ala, there was
held state convention of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union during the
past winter. Some of the colored women
came in, and seemed much interested and
impressed. At various points in the South
both rnen and women have attended these
temperance meetings, signed the pledge,
and begun reformation. The better edu-
Gated of them see and realize the ravages
that drink is making among their race,
and are anxious for something to be done.
For that reason they ask for temperance
literature, and for temperance teachers
to be sent them. 1t will be difficult,
perhaps, to convince the average colored
man or woman that it is better not to
drink, but it can be done with patience.
1t must be done if the temperance peo-
pie wish to control things in the south
ern states. The colored voters hold the
balance of power. Their vote has been
the means of losing local prohibition
in some of the counties, notably in Ala
bama. Sometime there will be national
struggle upon us. The signs of the times
indicate that it is not afar off. If these
freedmen are not rescued from the in
fuence of the whiskey party, their vote
may decide against us in the impending
conflict. 1t is time to work. Already
this work has beginning, but it must be
more vigorous. The liquor party takes
advantage of the negro's ignorance, of his
prejudicies, of his deficient training, and
of his hereditary faults, brought about
largely by state of affairs that exists no
longer. AS far as in us lies let those
things be removed There is much in our
favor. In spite of the colored mans bad
habits, put forty or fifty negro laborers
out in the country, and let them become
drunk, and there are no such deeds of
violence as will be heard of among the
same number Of drunken whites. And
the negro has prediction for right
as right in the abstract. When you begin
to particularize his fervor lessons, because
his prejudice asserts itself. Let these
people be taught in time. The citizens
of this country have learned by many
things that there is a large communistic
element among US. There is no good in
shutting the eyes to this fact. This ele-
ment allies itself in times of violence with
the rum party. What was heard among
the mob at Cincinnati ? "Cries of wait
till we get good drink, and we'll show
you something were heard above the
tumult." That is what the telegram told
US. Masses of uneducated people are the
masses that make mobs, riots and vio-
lence. If the southern negro is not lifted
out of his slough of intemperance and
ignorance, there may be scenes in some of
these southern cities that are terrible to
think of. This say, in spite of his COM
parative harmlessness. Give him whiskey
and an unprincipled leader-there can be
found plenty among the whites, both
North and Southland no man can tell
the results,-Alabama Lady, in Western
Christian Advocate.