The Newtown bee., 1894-06-15

4 ROM THE SHOULDER

Where do you stand on the temper ance question:" writes a correspondent in forwarding a temperance item of news hor publication. The editor has for some time hardly deemed it necessary to reply to this query, as TIE BEE has first and always advocated strongly principles of temperance and sound morality. But in order that no one may be misled | here give my position;
 "Whcre do | stand on the temperance question:"
 With both frot on the plank of total abstinence.
 That is my position in plain English. have never found it necessary in my own case to patronzc public or private drinking places. am free to admit that 1 am not quite clear in my own mind as to the best w%:.v U solve the temperance question. 7 not think it ever will be acc" ..,,,,o5 through any political n" ,,,..,-. i3t or otherwise
 -. And l am not in q po-
 .U endorse or condemn the Nor wegian system for controlling the liquor traffic, although favorably impressed with its merits. The hope of this cOun- try is in the rising generations. Let the public schools, as now required by law, show the evils of alcohol on the system. Let churches and temperance organiza- tions do theE full duty in regard to this question of education. And, if they do, the temperance problem will not in fu- ture years be as vexatous as it is to-day.
 am perfectly aware that many good men differ with the writer on this ques- ton. From the extreme position of those who believe that the saloon is neces- slry part Of our social fabric, to the pro- hibitiOnist who brands the liquor evil as belonging to the dominion of the devil there Is wide separation. do not set myself up to Judge my ncighbor as to his attitude on this great question. But as to my own position, l am solid as rock Total abstinence Is my creed.
 In travelling about Western Connecti cut during the last two years, have been greatly shocked at the amount ol "clder drunkenness" that have witness ed. And in the last six months there hal como to my notice many deplorable in stances of beastly intoxication ove good harmless cider.'
 Farmers and brethren, every man o you had better take an axe in hand--tO morrow morning and knock in the heaC of every cider barrel you have, rathe than have an element of danger, whicl may be instrumental in running your son or somebody else's son.
 l feel strongly that there should be kindler fec ling on the part of all Chris tian people toward men who have an in clination to drink, and yet strive hare against it. Perhaps here is man whC sometimes gets q jag on. He is weak He falls. What is the result? His trul, pious friends are apt to point the finge of scorn at him and say, "There is maj who gets drunk. He shan't sit in tn straightway they lend their influence t keep that man in the gutter. If ever. Christian was actuated by the spirit 0 helpfulness, intemperance might be rt duced to minimum.
 Let us all follow the admonition of tn the apostle who said, "Be temperate all things" Guard your tongue. Don islander your neighbor. Intemperance speech may be as great a sin as inten perate drinking. Don't stuff yourse with tempting eatables, and then on tt morrow when you suffer with dyspepsi and are cranky, that even your vii has to go off to the sewing society { maintain the peace. This also is grle' ous sin. ...
 Total abstinence is good plank to p, in the platform on which Is to rest u pedestal of your life. If your platfor doEt contain 1t, try it for time.
 is good sound plank, aud if you abit by it you never will be troubled abo finding the key hole at night or abo navigating the sidewalks, as some peep arc. ALLISON PARISH SMITH,
 Editor THE NEwTowN BEE. LET THE LAWS BE PUBLISHEl