The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-03-17
MODERATE DRINKING.
Thousands of Young men Hurried to
UntimeIy Graves by This FalIacY.

theory that confronts u.s." Among
the sad conditions that confront us,
we find an immense army of young
men, whose strength is needful to the
worlds welfare, who are not simply
wasting that strength, bat are rushing
headlong to destruction and death, be-
cause they have been deceived and mis-
led by older men.
Another sad condition that con-
fronts us is represented in the terrible
flood of crime, insanity and poverty
that is sweeping over our fair land, a
large measure of which is the direct
outcome from the worst Pandora's box
the world ever tolerated, namely, the
iegalized liquor saloon.
Thousands of men of influence are
sadly apathetic in view of these condi-
tions, but very few of them will actual
ly defend that apathy, nor will they
claim that these conditions cannot, in
greater or less degree, be abated.
Some of us believe that the degree Of
abatement can be made very large
1t is these conditions and the convic-
tons therefrop that have given rise to
| what is generally spoken of as the tenn
perance reform, with its many phases
of work. and as we study this reform
we encounter the conditions that re-
spectively promote or hinder its
growth.
Foremost among the impediments
there stands the influence of the de-
fender and practitioner of moderate
drinking, and the higher the moral,
social or political classification of such
an eXamplar, the more intensely does
his influence antagonize the effort of
the reformer.
The bright and loyal boy says, in re-
ply to an invitation to touch not. taste
, not, handle not:" 'My father drinks
and he is a good man" As argument,
the boys position is practically i'm
pregnable.
In school instruction we lay great
stress on patriotism, and as an Incl
dent thereto we enjoin respect for the
nations rulers. But how shall we meet
the boys argument when he reminds us
of examples in so-called moderate
drinking set by rulers toward whom. as
patriotic duty, we have inculcated
respect? Then the drinking habit in
some of our colleges is alarming the
thinking community. including a great
many men who would never be suspect
ed of prudishness, and the question is
inevitable, what is the influence of the
directing officials of such colleges, and
what is their practical contribution to
the results we also much deplore?
There was a time when clergymen
might drink somewhat freely without
having the propriety of such conduct
questioned, but to-day the preacher or
priest who INDUCES in the social use Of
wine, spirits or beer is likely to get
laughed at by all honest men if he
breaches against the evil and iniquity of
intemperance.
We do not now discuss the sinfulness
of the habit of moderate drinking, but
leave that matter to each of the words
science, aided by a study of the words
st. Paul addressed to the church at
Corinth.
Nor do we, in this connection, say
anything about the effects of so-called
moderate drinking upon the life and
health of its devotees, other than to
command a study of the teachings OF
modern science on that subject.
But we feel it our duty to say distinc-
lively that no agency is so effectually
battling the efforts to save the young
men of our land from moral and physic-
al death as is fashionable drinking, as
sumed to be moderate.
If there are men who do not care
what becomes of the boys and young.
men, to them our words will have 70
weight, but we hope there are not many
of that class.
To those who think that boys and
young men are of value to the nation
as well as themselves and their parents,
we urge examination of the proposition
that the terrible army of drunkenness
must continue it's immense drafts upon
our young men so long as they are en-
couraged by men of influence to adopt
the drink habit under the delusion and
fallacy that they can control the degree
of its bondage, as moderate drinkers,
and subject themselves to only the ills
of that condition.
Now we know, and, reader, You
know, that thousands upon thousands
Of boys will go down to early death I'M
der that delusion, and we therefore
have to say, as kindly as we can, that
the men of influence, who by their pre-
cept and example entice young men
into the drink habit, are carrying an
enormous burden of responsibility.
This world is not governed by acct
dents; each important result can be
traced to its cause, and principal cause
that hundreds of thousands of young
men are hurrying to an untimely grave
is because they have been deceived by
the moderate drinking fallacy and its
defenders.-National Temperance Ad-
| vocate.