Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-12-28
VINE OR NO WINE?
Wine-Serving on New Years Day.
When Safe to Offer Wine.
Dangers Of "Heady" stimulants-Tender 30
ciety Lambkins-Ths Bald Head" 10 Gen.
orally safe-Little Points.

Copyright 1880, by the Author.l
For the Gazette.
| AS the recurring season approaches, it
is subject discussed in social circles 4,
how far young men are nnduly tempted
| if wine is off cred to them when they
make their round of New Years visits.
To the direct question, "Shall we Of
fer wine to the men who call upon us3"
l would answer, "With discrimina-
tion.' And when it is again asked I,
| reply, "One cannot. on social point,
| make an absolute rule or definite law
unless good morals may be endangered,
but 1t is necessary to be guided by va
riety of circumstances.
If, as should be the case, very
cautious surveillance existed as to the
character of the men who formed ones
circle OF acquaintance, any selection thus
N ads would doubtless be such as to
render it quite safe and proper to offer O
glass of wine..
In order to arrive at this conclusion it
must, of course, be presupposed that the
carefully chosen guests who visit at the
house are we'll known to US, approved as
men of good habits and gentlemen who
know how to avail themselves of the
amenities of life without overstepping
the bounds of deoorum.
II from defective training or inherent
bad qualities such is not the case, a mis-
take will have been made in permitting
these men. to visit the house ut all and
the sooner the iIl-timed acquaintance
ceases the better.
1t is doubtful if man who is not sure
of his power of self-command lie a desira-
BILE acquisition in any society, for at the
best his moral nature needs strengthen
ing before he can be ready to hattie with
the world, inasmuch as lack of moral
power in any one direction is apt to be a
signal light of danger all around. Or If
a man is simply weak, then he is so neg
alive as to be, to say the least, unrelia-
BILE.
Is not a high sense Of honor, keen
sensitiveness against all reproach, the
best proof armor in which to encase our
youth?
man must already have a dangerous
appetite for drink if a glass of good
wine rendered on festive occasion,
prove an incentive to excess. Educa-
ton teaches self restraint, culture en-
forces the lesson, and true gentleman
understands the requirements of his So
cial position.
1t is but q poor compliment to Sc
lscted circle of friends that we dare OF
trust to their refinement or discretion.
This and much more may be said con-
corning those delicate distinctions that
mark the Intercourse of the polite world.
But here one must pause, for no broad
eDIv,
rule defined.
On New Years day many men visit
the houses of merely casual acquaint-
ances, and how to entertain such callers
must be left to those particular circum-
stances known best to each hostess who |
thus receives.
The Christian obligation of setting |
good example may never be ignored by |
any woman, aud il rests with US also not |
ouly to sustain intact, but to elevate the |
social standard.
1t is q great responsibility.
bow can we best meet it?
Again, repeat, by the exercise of |
good common sense which involves Moe |
Certainly the official receptions OF
Washington are held upon such a scale |
that no Determinations are made and no
selections are possible. 1t may be said
that these assemblages are indeed, and
In fact, public receptions. The public
pay their respects TO their leaders 1t is
q patflarchal sort of business which can
scarcely be considered as society. As
suredly 1t would be uuwise to present to
3 collection Of people, OF whose ante
cendents one knows nothing, that which
might prove stumbling block or q
snare.
1t is said that an inebriate is q walking
powder magazine, to which the un.
guarded application of lighted match
might cause spontaneous combustion.
At any general assembly, where dis
tinction as to the character of the par
Elephants is impossible. every care should
be exercised to avoid tempting the weak.
Certainly no wine should be offered
where no just discrimination can be
1racticed.
But this is not the exercise OF hospi-
slity, that graceful tribute of regard
md respect we pay to those VINO have
Won our esteem.
Speaking of this subject of hospitality, I
am reminded of an anecdote OF Robert
coombs, of Georgia. whom knew very
yell in ante-belium days. He was
typical Southern planter, and
le held sort of feudal sway OVER the
own adjacent to his extensive plsnta-
ions. It 10 told he declared that no
nan should keep tavern In that town,
or he said ''if any stranger comes along
Who Il worth knowing propose to enter