The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1890-03-20
PusLlc DRINKING BANQUET,

- SOss9psSVOO OV0Ct- 1/cSSSbu-A u1O8C 1no
stdioas and Dangerous Form Of Alco-
holic Indulgence. -. - 4
Among the various fashionable, aee.
thetic forms of Injurious social alco.
holic indulgence one of the most mis-
chievous and harmful is public banquet
drinking. At the recent judicial centen-
NAL banquet, given under the joint aus
pieces of the New York State Bar Associ-
alton. the American Bar Association and
the Association of the Bar of the CITY
of New York, at which over eight hum
dred men, eminent judges, lawyers,
mem bers Of Congress-, sundry clergymen
and other distinguished citizens sat
down, wines and other liquors were
served in great abundance, and there
were ''clouds of cigar smoke" Tho New
York Evening Post stated, as from
the caterer for the occasion, that there
were about three thousand bottles
OF wine provided for the something
less than nine hundred guests, but that
it was understood that the Unlocking
occupants OF the boxes, among whom
were many ladies, would be made par
takers of the wine. Besides the various
kinds of wine and champagne, there
were also cordials and 'cognac. 1t was
the exclusive business of some fifty
walters to do nothing but pour wine."
Among the guests of this historic COM
memorative occasion were the Judges of
the United States Supreme Court and
other eminent jurists, interpreters Of
law in pending and probable future im->
portant contests for supremacy on the
part of the brewers, distillers and
traffickers who constitute the imperious
liquor oligarchy. Whatever else this
judicial centennial banquet was, it was
prominently q conspicuous object
lesson, with its distinguished Official
personnel, in favor of the perpetuation
of the injurious social drinking usuages
which the Temperance reform seeks to
abolish.
In its untoward influence upon So
ciety, especially upon young men, one
such popular banquet will 60 far to
neutralize the good effects of many
Temperance sermons and of total.ab.
stinence revivals in the, sphere of less
conspicuous social circles. Much has
been said from time to time, and none
WV nsuObs VI SuO OFAA AOSuAVS VI Vic
treating" custom as tending to increase
intemperance, and to counteract it
anti. treating pledges have been formu.
lated and signed, and anti-treating So
cieties organized. But in some re.
spects the public drinking banquet is a
more insidious and still dangerous form
of alcoholic indulgence. Many q man,
not wishing to be singular on
these occa lions, takes his wine, rather
than turn his glasses down, who would
not think of drinking himself, or of
treating others, at a public Tar. This
fashionable banquet drinking, which
obtains in high places, which is a de-
plorable feature of state dinners at the
White House, and Of many a colleges
alumni festival, has among its votaries
many of the intelligent men, including
distinguished legislators, college presi.
dents and professors, and sometimes
well-known ministers Of the Gospel.
1t Is quite time for the friends Of
Temperance everywhere to protest with
greater earnestness against this elegant
banqueting dissipation, and in connec-
ton Herewith to emphasize anew
Isaiah's admonition ". 22) of "Woe
unto them that arc mighty to drink
wine, and men Of strength to mingle
strong drink."-National Temperance