The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-03-26
EDUCATiOyAI, TEMpER1Ncn

We are many times admonished to
build our structures on firm foundation,
and believe total abstinence to be the
only foundation on which we can fashion
our temperance structures with any
surety of success. To me total absti-
nence means many things. When we
listen to this term our thoughts invaria-
bly, turn to the strong drinks, rum,
brandy, gin, etc. But where was the
taste of these strong drinks first cultivat-
ed? 1t is unnatural to presume that
children begin their first practices with
such stimulants. For the education of
this taste we shall have, in most cases.
to look back to those little habits which
are considered 50 harmless by many who
have the care of children Back to the
first sip of cider, back to the first taste
of wine, or the first glass of beer; yes.
farther back even than that, when we
give our boy his first nickel to invest in
soda water. at the same bar where tits
possible that the stronger drinks are dis
pensed as well as the milder ones. A
certain per cent of intemperancc comes
by heredity or example, but by far the
greater proportion comes from habit. To
prevent the formation of this habit is a
task which should and must receive the
candid attention of the temperance
workers of the present time. | would
not have total abstinence, as a rule, to
be rigidly enforced. / do not think
with young children that | would have it
enforced by pledges. But | would Ina ye
! it an honorable act, an act to be highly
commended for child to be able of
himself, through the example and pre-
cept of those in whose care he may be,
TO withstand the temptation of frequent
ing saloons, or OF assOciating with those
who are in the habit of SO doing. Total
abstinence is TO leave all things alone
which are of no sort of benefit to us
While soda and apple juice will perhaps
do no harm, yet who is to stand by the
boy and decide for him when the apple
juice has become cider, or when the soda
water has a stick in il? Teach the boys
to avoid the precipice; teach them that
they must go by the other road. The
habit of presenting himself at the bar,
of ordering a glass of soda water, even
the tipping of the glass, the knowledge
that others are looking at him, gives
the boy that freedom of action in regard
to those things which viii cling to him
for all time. Ii is just as necessary for
the children to learn thou shalt not
for them to know that they must not
steal, lie or swear. II we are to have
this kind Of temperance work and work
ers it behoOves those who are building
the structure to keep an eye single TO
total abstinence in word and deed that
the children may come 10 have that i'm
plicit faith in the honesty of the work
that is being done for their present and
future well being. s often is this as
sertion repeated, 'the saloon must GO"
that many are pleased to believe that
some morning we shall awaken to n new
dispensation, and find that amongst the
many other standards of advancement
which the people of the nineteenth cen
tury have so thickly strewn along the
upward pathway of the years, temper
ance edict has come forth to the many
weary walters and watchers, and that
the enemy, by one swift, silent stroke,
has been swept into oblivion from the
field which they have 80 long and so i.