The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-24
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TOTAL ABSTINENCE,

Francis Murphy is gone. OF his work it
Is safe to say that it has increased the
friends of temperance and swelled the
ranks of total abstainers. 1t is easy to say
that the majority of those he has per-
suaded to take vows of total abstinence
will not long keep the faith. No matter
for that. Let us assume that out Of all the
hundreds who have taken the pledge be-
cause they were incorporate but one keeps
1t. Even then it was worth while for Mr.
Murphy to come here, and his labors have
not been in vain. The TRANSPORTATION of
even but one man from wretched, hope
less, homeless, drowning drunkard into a
clean, sober, industrious self-respecting,
useful citizen, humane husband, father
brother or son, is a work worth spending
weeks to perform.
Mr.. Murphy's methods are peculiar,
but they are democratic enough to reach
good many people that cannot otherwise
Be reached they are methods that need to
Il beexecuted in detail with tact and discrim-
nation, to do the greatest good to the
largest number, but it is safe to say with
ken earnest, sincere, benevolent heart be-
hind them these methods will always do a
great deal of good because they rest upon
) sound principle, viz. total abstinence
from alcohol as a necessity for all men
who are Incorporate; and total abstinence
from alcohol as the highest prudence for
all men, except as n useful stimulant pre-
pcribed by the physician. Mr.. Murphy
4 ~ ,nta 10 in IN oil NJ
q beverage, he only says that in his
Judgment the mass of mankind who use
alcohol are prone to ultimately use it to
their own injury and disadvantage.
Charles Reade, in one of his eloquent
novels, steps aside from his story 90 point
ont that the moderate drink habit that is
under easy control when our worldly affairs
are prosperous, our personal condition
that Of comparative felicity, becomes our
grim and merciless tyrant when the clouds
of business disaster or severe domestic
calamity gather about our heads. Then,
in substance, says the great novelist, the
habit of moderate drinking, which we
ruled in prosperity down TO the level OF
decent sclf-restraint, begins 10 slowly but
surely rule us in our hour of austere adj
/ vers,ty. Where We once drank lightly 20
( mt mere feathertip Of harmless, gentle
I hilarity in our cap of victory, we drink
1 deeply to drown the mordant memory of
] defeat. to soften the asperi,ies Of our hui
validating retreat. Finally the drink
Hhabit. which was moderately INDUCED
An our hours of success ana comparative
banniness, becomes the labricator of our
charm descent through depression and de-
snondency to destruction. Charles Reade
nrnew by experience of convivial living
Hwhat il might do for man, and out OF his
own exnerience he confirms Mr.. Murphy's
Hwarning that total abstinence from the
.Econyiyial use of alcohol is the highest
.anrudcnce for humanity.
n, this platform of total abstinence as
1.-THE highest prudence for the mass of man
i.r;ra all men who are friendly TO the tenn
ar.noe oause can stand. even II they do
not agree as 10 the best practical means Of
dealing With the liquor traffic, whether
INV prohibition or regulation. The cause
,of temperance needs all IFS friends and
hike every other good cause II has Its fall
,h.re Of sucking parasites, sereeohing
,demagogues and incapable enthusiasts,
To cheap men and petty hypo-
,r;ta. the "moral reform" ban
.ner is always a welcome hIason' for
Ennder it's sheltering wings iolly ana
sfatuitv can shoot off their sweet voices I'M
-shuked mere sentimentalism and self
.,sh,.onsness can kiss each other while
gmercy and peace take back seat
4 weare glad that Mr.. Murphy is not an
incapable enthusiast. who cannot a,S. -.
5-u,sh between the practicable ana an
practicable. Mr.. Murphy sees 'na' wneh
jJkhe Good Tenplars, the Woman mrs
han Temperance Union, ihe euF's''a'
churches. the school ard the nome nave
Efailed 10 extirpate the iiquoF "''i'0 NV
simply confess the enormous = -
public opinion that nnae81Ass 49,