The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-08-23
N. cA1soN ON AMERICAN
TEMPERANCE HABIT.

rTe1c1 AE1D4Ss44oT 20 TIE N1Ii@1
States. said IN speaking Of this cozn-
tsy. il 4 recent interview AZ Paris.
There msy be some hypocrife<.
but the vast majority abstain from
strong drink. TO the great advantage
Of the race which. for q time. threat
ened 70 lapse into drunkenness
So broad : generalization as that
The vast majority Of oar people
abstain from strong drink nay be
disputed. says the New York Sun.
but Il NJ Canton means b. strong
drink. distilled liquors. as he prOba
bly, does. there is every reason to
believe that his assertion Is correct
(. IS also true. as general observation
must have discovered. that prudence
IN drinking all kinds OF alcoholic
liquors has increased and that total
abstinence from them is relatively
much more frequent than formerly.
The organized temperance agita-
ton, conducted on moral and relig-
lous grounds. has diminished great
~ in activity: but meanwhile bet
ter understanding OF the evil physi-
cal effects Of Incorporate alcoholic
indulgence mas induced individual
temperance on a wide scale. At clubs
there is very much less drinking than
.ormerly. more especially Of s3irituous
iouors: and obvious fntoxication,
once treated as an amiable weak
ness. is now a cause Of reproaeh-
Men who fall into il habitually or fire.
luently are regarded as victims OF a
mania and pitied or avoided. At
timers abstemiousness in drinking is
asnal. and any departure from il pro
sokes unfavorable comment, if not
social ostracism- Young men Of this
time in reputable society who are
gross drinkers are recognized as dip
somaniacs and relatively their number
IS small.
Intoxication has become a disgrace
ful social offence and total abstinence
IS now so frequent among individuals
.aat il no longer attracts special at
IGNITION as the eccentricity it was once
acid 10 be. It is practised in every
circle. Take even the Tammany Gen
eral Committee, once called collec-
don of red-noses; it is now full OF
total abstainers. None of the great
political leaders of the present is
nard drlnker; many of them are rath-
sr total abstainers. The same is true
Of the great leaders in finance, in
Grade, and in the professions. Strict
abstemiousness is the rule among
chem and a reputation of intemper
Ance is always injurious. 1t weakens
confidence in the mans judgment.
Self-control is required and made the
test of ability to command. The larg-
Il anairs OF the present time IN In,
world of enterprise demand strictly
sober heads for their management
and the strain put upon all men by
present industrial organization and
competition can be borne by the sober
only.
Consequently the line OF distinction
oy which the victims of their bibu-
,ous appetites or of nervous depend
snee on stimuIants are marked on is
now drawn much more sharply than
used to be the case The drunkards
aave become a class by themselves.
eprobated or pitied as untrustworthy
5r irresponsible members of society.
Meanwhile. however. of formal and
methodical temperance agitation there
% TAI less. as we have said. A grow
ing conception OF the indecency of in
temperance and of the terrible phys
ical and mental penalties which must
oe paid for it has accomplished re-
suit which was impossible under the
passionate hortatory method OF the
old temperance agitators. except, per
haps. as a transitory penance. The
liquor question. once s cause of polit-
ical disturbance in many States has
been practically eliminated from
politics. for the evils of alcoholic
abuse are recognized by all parties
and by liquor dealers not less than by
the rest of the public.
We are not surprised. therefore, that
NJ. Cambon should have been struck
Especially by the temperance OF the
American people. His remark proves
that he has been a true and careful
observer. and his conclusion that their
abstemiousness will be of great aa-
vantage to the race" is wholly sound
Nothing in our society is Of more
hopeful promise.