The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-06-19
3 anquSt Drinking.

Among the various fashionable. ~sthet-
ic forms OF Injurious social alcholtc in
duiesnce, one Of the most mischieyoua
aud harmful is public banquet drinking.
At the recent Judicial Centennial Ran.
quet, given under the join, auspices of
she New York State Bar Association. the
American Bar Association, and the As
sociation Of the Bar Of the City of New
York, At which over eight hundred men.
eminent judges, lawyers, members OF
Congress, sundry clergymeu, and other
distinguished citizens, sat down. viues
and other liquors were served In great
abundance, and there were clouds of
cigar smoke The n. Y. Evening Post
stated as from the caterer for the oc-
casion, that there were about 8 600 bot
ties Of wine provided for the something
less than 800 guests, but that 1t was un-
defstood that the Unlocking occupants of
the boxes. among whom were many
ladies'. would be made partakers of the
wine Besides the various kinds of wine
aud champagne, there were also cordisls
and cognac, Ii was the exclusive busi-
ness OF some nfty walters to do moth
ing but pour wine" Among the guests
OF this historic commemorative occasion
were the judges Of the United States Su-
Interpreters Of law In pending and prob
able future important contests for So
pr. macy on the part of the brewers, dis
tillers, and traiickers who constitute the
imperious liquor oligarchy. Whatever
else This Judicial Centennial Banquet was,
1t wa. pre-eminently a conspicuous OBJ
.lect-Iesson. with its distinRui shed official
personnel. In favor of the perpetuation Of
the injurious social drinking usages which
the temperance reform seeks to abolish.
In its untoward influence upon society.
especially upon young men, one such
popular banquet will go far TO ueutralize
the good effects of many temperance ser
mons and Of totAl-abstinence revivals in
the sphere OF less conspicuous social cir
cles- Much has been said from time to
time and none too much, or the evil re-
suits of the treating custom IS tending
to increase intemperance, and to counter
act 1t anti-treating pledges have been
formulated and signed, and anti-treating
societies organized. But in some re-
speets the public drinking banquet is =
more .nsidous and still dangerous form
of alcoholic indulgence. Many q man,
no. wishing to be singular on these oc-
casions, takes his wine, rather than turn
his glasses down, who would not think Of
drinking himself, or Of treating others,
at 8 public bar This fashionable ban
quet drinking, which obtains In high
pisces, which is a deplorabe feature of
State dinners At the White House, and of
many college alumni festival, has
among its votsries many of the iutelli-
gent men, Including distinguished legis-
lators, college presidents and professors,
and sometimes. well-knowu ministers of
the Gospel, who, in amendment cam
paigns, and on other critical occasions,
are wont to TO join at the polls with the
more vulgar heb,ues of the saloons and
the Sums, to defest radical temperance
and prohibisory legislation.
Ii is quite time for the friends of tenn
perance everywhere TO protest with great
er earnestness against this elegant ban
quoting dissipation, aud In connection
herewith to emphasize anew Isaiah's
admoniton v 22) Of Woe unto them
that are mighty 10 drink wine, and men
of strength to minsle strong drink. =
National Temperance 4lrocaie.