The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-12-19
TEMPERANCE.
THE TEMPERANCE SENTIMENT
IN CANADA.

IN OtAtNAOtAs
What the Local-Option Law Has Accom-
plished-The Continued Growth of tho
Temperance Sentiment, and the Causes
Contributing Thereto = The Imperious
Demands of the Liquor Interest.
Some six years ago, at the instance of
a petition bearing half million sigma
lures, the General Government passed
a Local-Option Liquor law, known
commonly as the Scott act, and SIM
liar in its makeup to the Local-Option
law enacted by several of your State
Legislatures.
Almost Immediately on its passage,
the provinces down by the sea began to
avail themselves of its provisions. They
continued to do so with varying sue
cess till 1882, when the whole province
OF Prince Edward Island, twelve coun-
ties in Nova Scotia, nine counties and
one city in New Brunswick had adopt
ed the measure, and We're working siren
uously to enforce its salutary provis-
ions. The central and more populous
provinces of Quebec and Ontario had
meanwhile done little toward bringing
the law to vote of the people, But
within the past year a Temperance cam
paign has been entered on in these
provinces, which has seldom if ever
been equaled in the earnestness with
which it is conducted and tue success
thus far attending the Temperance la
borers
During the past nine months not less
certainly than five thousand men, and
at least half as many women, have been
engaged in over fifty counties, circu-
latIng petitions, distributing literature,
addressing electors at central points
and canvassing the people in their
homes. So far, during the past half
year, ten counties in Ontario and two in
Quebec have declared for the act, while
liz forty others preparations are going
on for its submission at an early date
Altogether, since 1878, there have
been tifty-fosr contests, the act has
been successful in forty-five, and the
total majority for it is now nearly
twenty-seven thousand.
The full significance of this movement,
however, can only be seen in the light
Of a resolution passed by the Dominion
Government at its last session, by a vote
of one hundred and twenty-five to forty,
pledging itself to prohibit the importa-
ton, manufacture and sale of intoxi-
eating liquors as beverages so soon as it
can be shown that the majority OF the
electors favor such measure; and it is
confidently expected that within five
years the substance of the resolution
will have become constitutional law for
the Dominion.
Several causes have combined to Sc
cure this favorable result.
The deliverances of science, while not
taught in our public schools, have been
read in magazines and newspapers, so
that the majority of the electorate knows
that science speaks against the use of
alcoholic liquors as beverages.
Besides this there have been in exist
ence for many years Temperance or
CARNATIONS, which, while they exerted
little influence directly in the political
arena, exerted strong influence on
thousands within their own boundaries,
and have all along been powerful edu-
Gators on the question of the removal of
strong drink.
Then the Canadian churches, almost
without exception, have taken the mat
ter up, and for years have thrown the
weight of their combined influence on
| the side of Temperance; so that from
thousands of pulpits have gone forth
burning words about the evils of the rum
traffic. and a generation thus educated
stand now with ballots in their hands,
ready to cast them against the great
curse.
Further, the liquor interest has
grown, latterly, more imperious in its
tone and clamorous in its demands. 1t
assumed the role of dictator. 1t would
have its say in all legislation affecting
the moral and social life of the people.
1t nominated our lawmakers, and too
often, by its united influence, elected
them, till whisky ruled in all political
places. This rule was far from benign;
indeed, it was far from wise, even in its
own interest. For laws were tempered
with in Parliament, and violated con-
stantly when on the statute book, till
it seemed as if it were utterly useless
to legislate at all in reference to the
traffic
The progress of events, too, south of
the national boundary-line, has greatly
assisted in the formation of this power
full Temperance sentiment. We have
carefully followed the history of Maine,
the earliest and noblest Anglo-SaxOn
Temperance commonwealth; aud from
her history has come an inspiration
whose force is difficult to estimate. And
the later sections, such as Kansas and
Vermont and Iowa, still following the
example of Maine, and making trial
of Prohibition, have also contrib
utcd something to this Canadian move
ment.
Our day of deliverance from this most
prolific source of evil seems near, and
when it comes, we will then be in po-
sition to work out that destiny designed
by Providence for u.s. r. Black, IN
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