Evening journal., 1907-10-09
Editorial in the New York Times, oct.
Sth. 1907.
THE TEMPERANCE aWANE.n

4
Sth. 1907
THE TEMPERANCE "WAVE."
The movement toward moderation
in the use of alcoholic drinks. which is
often referred to as a wave" is too
widespread and too continuous TO an
swer to that term. Consul Mahin of
Nottingham forwards some statistics
that show that it is gaining in force in
England, and seems to be progressive
as we'll as persistent.
Since 1900 the consumption of beer
per head has fallen from 1929 gallons,
the highest point reached i'm the history
of the trade, to 27s1 gallons. or IA per
cent. This still leaves a consumption
OF rather less than four pints a day for
the adult male population, which would
seem TO be adequate for legitimate
thirst; but If the rate OF decrease. one
seventh In seven years, can be kept up
or nearly approached, the middle Of the
twentieth century will see a practically
beerless England. or course, no such
result is to be looked for, but the de-
crease is substantial and unquestion-
ably wholesome. During the same pc
riod the consumption of spirits declined
from lis gallons per head TO 81. which
is 2S per cent. a still more encourag-
] ing showing.
The above is interesting in compari-
son with the fact that the average con-
sumption of intoxicants in the United
States has increased during the same
period
In England moral suasion is the
method ~sed by the Christian and Tenn
perance workers. and men are per-
suaded to abstinence; the prohibition
movement as we have it here with the
Anti-Saloon League is practically un-
known there
That the Total Abstinence movement
has always accomplished more for So
briefly than prohibitory laws, is a
demonstrated fact.
The Washingtonian movement start
ed in Baltimore in 1910. numbers more
than 100000 pledge signers inside OF
two years at least, one third of whom
were reformed drunkards. Out of il
grew the Sons Of Temperance and
Good Templar Societies by whose ef-
forts at least 100000 drunkards were
reclaimed in twenty-five years
The Father Matthew movement con-
temporaneous with the Washlngtoniar
reform was also very eficacious in pro-
! noting abstinence.
But the beneficiah results were large
lly deferred by the prohibition excre-
sence of the "Fifties" which has lefi
as a solitary derelict, drifting, water.
llogged, whiskey laden and crime
cursed, the State of Maine.
Next came the Blue Ribbon move.
ment Of the seventies with France,
Murphy as the leader, by whose eff.
forts 1O,00O,oOO people it is said, sign
ed the pledge.
Mr.. Murphy started his work II
! Portland, Me, and perhaps because o
, his knowledge of the failure OF pro.
hibition there, was never an advocat,
of that policy. although he was tn,
most successful temperance worker o
the century.
Again the proscriptive element sough
to utilize the moral suasion success O.
the late seventies and early eighties al
they had thirty years before, only I,
detract from the success Of true tenn
perance and divert the elements o
; power which succeed only as they
] work with and through the individda
} man.
II can be said with perfect truth tha
the men in the licensed LIQUOR trad
never fought these great total abst
nence movements.
The statement Of attempts to pro
mote the downfall Of reformed drunk
( ards are also without an iota of fac
to support them, as is the base false
hood that saloons would wax rich b.
e the sacrifice of boys.
Intemperance has increased, Will
s the "feformers" have been using un
! christian and fallacious methods; an,
] only a return to the use Of correc
principles will decrease intemperanc
r and its attendant ills.s