The Jamesburg record., 1901-08-10
M. Iules Cambon on American
Temperance.

NJ. Tules Cambon, the distinguish
ed French Ambassador to the United
States, said, in speaking ofthis coun-
try, in recent interview at Paris
'eThere may be some hypocrites,
but the vast majority abstain from
strong drink, to the great advantage
of the race, which, for time, threat
ened to lapse into drunkenness.
So broad a generalization as that
the "vast majority" OF our people
abstain from strong drink may be
disputed, but if NJ. Cambon means
by strong drink, distilled liquors, as
he probably does, there is every rea-
son to believe that his assertion IS
correct. 1t 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 eorganized temperance agita-
ton, conducted on moral and relig-
ious grounds, has diminished greatly
in activity but meanwhile better
understanding of the evil physical
effects of intemperate alcoholic lu-
diligence has induced individual tenn
perance on a wide scale. At clubs
there is very much less drinking than
formerly, more especially of spiritu-
Gus liquors; and obvious intoXica-
ton, once treated as an amiable
weakness, is now cause of reproach.
Men who fall into it habitually or
frequently are regarded as victims Of
mania and pitied or avoided. AT
dinners abstemiousness in drinking
is usual, and any departure from ii
provokes unfavorable comment, il
not social ostracism Young men
of this time in reputable society who
are gross drinkers are recognized as
dipsomaniacs and relatively their
number is small
Intoxication has become a dis
graceful social offence and total alb
stinence is now so frequent among
individuals that it no longer attracts
special attention as the eccentricity
it was once held to be. 1t is prac-
tised in every circle. Take even the
Tammany General Committee, once
called a collection of red noses it is
now full of total abstainers. None
of the great political leaders of the
present is hard drinker many of
them are rather total abstainers. The
same is true of the great leaders in
finance in trade, and in the profes
sions. Strict abstemiousness is the
rule among them and a reputation
of intemperance is always injurious.
1t weakens confidence in the man S
judgment. Self control is required
and made the test of ability to COM
mand. The larger affairs of the
present time in the world Of enter
prise demand strictly sober heads
for their management and the strain
put upon all men by present indus
,Iial organization and competition
can be borne by the sober only.
Consequently the line of distinc-
ton by which the victims of their
bibulous appetites or of nervous de-
pendence on stimulants are marked
off is now drawn much more sharply
than used to be the case. The drunk
ards have become class by them
selves, reprobated and pitied as I'm
trustworthy or irresponsible mem
bers of society.
Meanwhile, however, of formal
and methodical temperance agitation
there is far less, as we have said. A
growing conception of the indecency
of intemperance and of the terrible
physical and mental penalties which
must be paid for it has accomplished
a result which was impossible under
the passionate hortatory method Of
the old temperance agitators, except
as a transitorys penance. The liquor
question, once cause of political
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. In this State, for