The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-12-21
OF 4 new PHASE
Rev. c. NJ. Hyde Opens Discuss
ion on Temperance.
Is SAFETY IN TET0TALISm
Some of the Old Work Here-USe
and Abuse of AlCohol-What
Might Be Done.
is SAFETY In TETOTALISM

EDITOR p. C. A.-Now that the
question of prohibition or some more
practicable form of regulation of the
liquor traffic is brought prominently
again TO public notice, | have thought
it might be possible to elicit some
opinions and suggestions that would
commend themselves to the general
public, as feasible and worthy of sup
port. l do not know that much that is
new can be said on this topic; but the
repetition of familiar truths may have
new Importance given them from the
terance. Old truths may be seen in a
new light when some startling incident
reveals them in new relations Believ-
ing taat 1t is wise to take advantage of
the recent political development in
connection with the question of max
ing prohibition an article of congress
sional legislature for the new territory
Of Hawaii, l ask you to give space for
some thoughts. do not claim for them
any originality, but if in some way the
average public sentiment can find eX-
preston. L think these words may not
nave Deen written IN vain.
So long as self-indulgence on the part
Of the individual is carried to excess.
SO long must there be some form of
control. parental, legislative or des-
potic. The cravings for stimulants is
a characteristic of humanity of every
race in any cline. Most convenient and
abundant of all stimulants is alcohol in
some of its many combinations. There
is wide difference of opinion as TO the
prOpriety of its use in any form, as
| beverage. 1t is poison, an intOXicant.
! In some quantity it is tolerated when
taken into the human system, and no
! effect is noticeable. AS however, when
| taken in quantity, it induces intOXica-
| ton, some are opposed to its use in any
| quantity, as any portion contributes TO
! this condition; and whatever amount
may be used, it is SO much towards that
condition. Others. however, advocate
! its use in moderation, cOntending that
/ it is a food or at least aids digestion, to
/ which fermentation is essential and
alcohol is one of the products of fer
mentation and as enerated in the stom-
ach and bowels increases the percent
age of food converted into blood and
tissue. 1t has also a tranquilizing in
fiuence on the tissues, and as to mod
crate use adds to the amount of human
| happiness. And for these and other
such reasons some contend that its use
is not only harmless, but beneficial.
The advocates and the opponents OF
the use Of alcoholic drinks seem to be
about equally divided in point of num-
bers. But no one advocates their eX-
cessive use to the full measure of in
toxication. 1t impairs proper contro
of the nerves, and weakens the power
of resistance to the impulses of appe
tite, anu makes the drunkard a victim
to hayward desires. Complete alchol
ism results in insanity, temporary o.
chronic. But the evils to society arr
more disastrous than to the individ
ual. 1t is a contributory cause to mucl
, of the crime that fill our jails. and al
efficient cause of the pauperism tina
taxes the treasury of our charity or
CARNATIONS.
Another point on which no satisfac
tory rules can be adjusted is as to tn
, amount of alcoholic drink that indiv
iduals may safely allow themselves
One man can take heroic drains, an
show no sign of intoxicatiOn. Anothe
, is susceptible to the smallest dose, an
: suffers acutely in consequence. Yet
again, no one can define the safe limi
= of use for himself. There is this dan
ger always attending the drinkin
habit that a man becomes the victiI
of intemperance without the conscious
ness of having tranSgreSSed what is 70
J, him the limit of safety. So that if on
does not wish to be a drunkard. tn
only absolutely safe rule Is not to TAX
the first drop. Total abstinence, in 9th
er words. is the one absolutely sur
| preventive against the evils of inten
perance. This is also the most helpfJ
rule for those who would help other
against the evils of self-indulgence. V
# while total abstinence from such a me
tive is not commendable, it cannot
3 enforced upon all men by threat {
penalty, for compliance with mere Pre-
hibitory legislation is not a fulfillmer
of the law of love.
Here let me quote the testimony of
= Icareful observer of social facts. 9TH
differences of opinion in regard TO th
l.. use and abuse of alcoholic drinks seel
10 be eliminating in a conflict for 81
premacy between opposing classes. 0
the one side we hear the cry For Go
/, and home and native land!' On the oil
er Down with all hypocrites, sneaH
and tyrants' On the one side are thos
0. who have suffered directly or indiret
tIy from the evils of intemperance,
who from principle and from philal
x thropic motives, desire to see ANNA
ism brought and subjected to highC
spiritual aims. as the essential cOnd
ton of morality, freedom and progress
On the other side are the careless, Il
morally Indifferent, the advocates
seIf-indulgence, as the normal cond
d. ton of their well-being; the victims
such uncontrolled indulgence and tho!
who find pecuniary profit in preying {
30 the weakness of their fellows, with q
who cry out for liberty, when thu
mean impunity and reject all authorit
if it means restraint"
Is it practicable to cut off the supp
of liquor or to annihilate the demar
for it? Is the policy Of suppression
as 1t is more generally called, prohib