The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-05-08
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
THE POWER OF SOCIAL CUSTOM
A Dangerous Practice which Is Becoming
Too Popular.

Too Popular.
A Philadelphia Clergyman, Rev. Dr.
Alexander Alison, recently declined to
attend the anniversary dinner of the
Robert Burns association in that city
on the ground that Intoxicating liquors
were to be served in connection there
with, He stated in his admirable let
ter, which has been widely published
that his feelings against the liquor itself
were very strong, but that he declined
also on the ground of the injury which
liquor did to Burns, and that he can
not add insult to injury by recognize
ing its presence in connection with the
observance of his natal day" He says:
"When l remember that alcohol so
completely enslaved the grandest
genius of our native land as to expose
him during that awful night to the
damp and chilly air, in which he slept
off his debauch in the snow-drift, and
which brought on his last, fatal illness,
how can | consider with patience the
presence of his greatest enemy upon IN
occasion when we must so honor the
poets memory" Both by precept and
example DIR. Alison has borne timely
and praiseworthy testimony against
the pernicious social custom of provid-
ing Intoxicating liquors at public din
ners. Always out of place, they are
singularly inappropriate at an ami
versary dinner of one who was literal
~ a martyr to strong drink.
A well-known clergyman of New York
was recently invited to dine with the
well-to-do representatives of a large
commercial interest which centers
there. He accepted the invitation. lie
found that Intoxicating beverages were
provided in abundance, and that they
were partallen of by this company of
supposed-to-be gentlemen with great
freedom, himself and one other being
the only abstainers. Their bibulous
companions were also vulgar enough
to ridiculc them for their abstinence,
repeatedly to send bottles, empty or
filled, to their plates. Only vulgar
drinkers would latterly be guilty of
such discourtesy toward abstainers.
Not long ago "a lady of New York
was present at an elegant entertain
mcnt where the guests were chiefly the
wealthy members of a well-known
popular church with large, fashion
able attendance. The lady was herself
a member of this church. The re-
freshments when served included
wines. This lady and two friends with
her We're the only abstainers. She
minglcs much in what is called good
society" and deplores the widespread
prevalence of the injurious social drink
ing custom.
Another phase of modern social life
becoming increasingly popular are the
entertainments given outside the home
at clubs or fashionabl BILE Assemblies. -
where professional caterers provide
and where intoxicants in an aesthetic
environment are conspicuous. Many a
young man or young woman will thus
be introduced to the destinations of the
wine-cup without home restraints and
safeguards and under exceptionally
dangerous conditions. The saloon
though popular with a certain very
large class of drinkers, is altogether
too common for most society" peo-
pie. Ladies, of course, never visit them
But the club and the assembly" come
within the domain of fashion, and to
these ladies may go and here they may,
and too often do, indulge in wine-drink-
ing.
While fashion is allowed to perpetu-
ate the social wine-drinking custom at
these public and semi-public dinners at
the clubs and modern assemblies"
the saloon will hold its sway for those
who, in a less genteel way, incline to
indulge in intoxicants. 1t is the prac-
teal alliance between the fashionable
wine bibbers and the saloon habitues
in the primary meeting, at the polls,
and in Legislative halls, which, under
one plea or another, perpetuates the
evil license system and makes prohib-
itory legislation difficult both to secure
and to enforce The power of this per-
nicious social custom now so great
must needs be broken. More light con-
corning the harmfulness of the use,
even in moderation" of intoXicants,
must be disseminated; and, especially
on the part of Christian men and
women. the adherence to the prevalent
social custom of using or providing
wines must be religiously subordinated
to the higher consideration of duty to
the young, the weak, and the tempted.
National Temperance Advocate.