The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-11-07
TEMPERANCE READING.
The GROWTH OF TEMPERANCE.


what Has Already Been Accomplished
The Promise of the Future-The Power
of Moral and Religious Influences.
No man who has lived forty or fifty
years can fail, we think, to be impressed
with the upward tendency of public SEN
timent with respect to Temperance re-
form. Even those who are not total
abstainers recognize the evils of the
liquor traffic more clearly than in for
mer years, and are glad to aid in
suppressing its worst abuses. Our law
makers are more ready to place restric-
tons, of one kind or another, upon the
business, and our judges are far less dis
posed to deal leniently with offenders
against restrictive laws. And this pub
hc sentiment is not, as has sometimes
been the case, the outburSt of temporary
enthusiasm, but steady outgrowth OF
solid conviction.
To be sure, dismal statistics may be-
cited on the other side. The amount Of
liquor manufactured and consumed is
far greater now than ever before.
Never were there so many distileries in
operation, and the number of breweries
has increased enormously. Stated in
gallons or reduced to drinks" the ag-
gregate of liquor consumed is appalling
But it must not be forgotten that the
population of the country has also
enormously increased. 1t is hardly
possible to grasp the idea of ffty-odd
nf lint
thought viii show how vast q quantity
of liquor even one-fftieth of that num-
Der can consume in year. Thus,
while it is true that the manufacture
and sale of spirituous liquors has greatly
increased, it does not necessarily follow
that the drinkers of intoxicating bever-
ages bear the same proportion to the
whole population as formerly. And
when we consider that the Swarms of
emigrants constantly pressing in upon
us consist largely of drinkers, we see
where this enormous production of
liquor is consumed.
Yet it would be sheer folly to ignore
the tremendous power of the drinking
habit as it still exists among us. The
work to be done before the giant evil of
intemperance is eradicated is immeasur-
ably great. And the question forces it
selfupon every good citizens attention:
How can it best be doneP Some, inn
patient of delay, would attempt to
throttle the liquor traffic with an amend
ment to the National Constitution
Others would seek the same end through
State legislation, constitutional or stat
utory; while still others, distressing the
efficiency of law to restrain mems appe-
tites, look to moral and religious influ-
ences as assuring the largest and most
permanent results in Temperance re-
form. Whatever may be thought of
other methods, here at least all good
people may be at one. The incubation
of total abstinence in our home family
life, Gunday-schools, from the pulpit, in
the prayer-meetiRg, and through special
agencies devoted to Temperance work,
as well as by consistent example, is a
mode of advancing the reform in which
every one may take Il part. We have no
disposition to oppose any earnest effort
to further so beneficent a cause; but
there is q choice of methods, and we see
ground for special hope in the use of
moral and religious agencies for per-
suading men to adopt strict Temper
ance principles. The incalculable good
that has been accomplished in the past
by this means is the best possible proof
Of its value. In fact, we do not hesitate
to affirm that for the cheering signs of
progress in Temperance reform of
which we have spoken We are chiefly in
debted to the quiet, patient, prayful eff
forts of God-fearing men and women to
reform the drinker and to make the
drinking habit odious. Temperance
legislation has had its part to play in
the great work; but whatever efficiency
|, it has had is due to the Christian Tenn
perance sentiment behind it as vivify-
ing, sustaining force. - ~ T. Err
GnfRer.