Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-09-02
The Plea of the Liquor interests.

| ton OF ProhlDltlOn WHICH CAME W ~ III
the same envelope. One is entitled
1.-The Drink Question and Suggestions
for the Betterment of the Drink Traf-
fc by Henry F. o. Heinemann.' and
which, it is announced, is reprint
from the Journal of the Society of
Brewing Technology" The other Is
entitled "The People VS.. Prohibition,
and conveys the information that
"Mayor Rose, of Milwaukee, shows up
the complete failure Of Prohibitory
Laws" From the introduction to the
first and larger. pamphlet we learn that
it's subject matter is an address de-
livered March "a, 1909 before the Chi
caso section of the Society of Brewing
Technology by Henry e. o. Heinemann,
Secretary of the Society, and Editor ot
the American Brewers Review. 1t
must be admitted that much of Mr..
Heinemann's address was made up of
plain talk" to the people to whom 1t
was addressed. While he asserted his
belief that the great progress of tenn
perance sentiment IN this country had
i'm if 1.-THE characteristics of epidemic
hysteria," he nevertheless felt con-
strained to admit that 'there seem to
be certain underlying currents of
thought ard feeling to impart to the
movement some elements of persist
ency. There can be no question that
there is strong general trend of pop
ular feeling in the direction of greater
temperance in all things and the
placing of all matters, business, pollti-
cal, social, and personal, on higher
moral footing. There is no doubt that
people are beginning more and more
to understand and appreciate that ex-
cess in anything is what distinguishes
bodily infirmity from health, vice from
virtue. follv from common sense. And
it is this underlying progressive trend
that gives to the anti-drink movement
it's element of persstency. While it
may and will lose it's wave character,
that is, the morbid element of epidemic
hysteria, and probably get away from
the control of the persons afflicted with
what alienists call paranoia reforma-
toria who are now running it, there
win remain q strong current in favor
of betterment in this line as in others"
Having thus conceded the fact that
the sentiment for temperance has in it
the elements of permanancy Mr.. Heine-
mann endeavors to Zine uD' the
brewing interests with the spirit of
more rational and temperate living.
In doing so he presents the brewer as
the crown prince of genuine temperance
reformers! He says: "The brewer has
never been an advocate of excess. He
makes the best temperance drink in the
world and stands for temperance. which
means health, character, and physical!
and mental vigor. He is the natural
ally of the general temperance move
ment.
This is certainly remarkable dis
covery on the part of Mr.. Heinemann
The Brewer, in the guise Of ''the nat
ural ally of the general temperance
movement" is certainly suggestive of
the Devil rebuking sin. Mr. Heine-
mann should fill his pipe with milder
brand of tobacco. Proceeding with his
address Mr.. Heinemann hands the
brewers this solid chunk of cold fact:
LET me say most emphaticaIIy it is
a matter of small concern to the peo-
pie outside of the drink business
whether your business is conserved or
not. To the general public it is not
a question of saving economic values
and preventing loss and distress to
those engaged in your line To the
common man it is question of what
he believes to be right and for the good
of society and the individual, and that
" WV VIZ w punt ullItl WHICH he VIII
act and vote
This is undeniably true. The aver
age man is against the liquor traffic
because he can see no good that it does,
while its evils are visible and palpablc.
1t destroys manhood, is the high road
to poverty and crime, is the enemy Of
the home, robs women and children of
their Just rights, and fills our prisons
and poorhOuses, and insane asylums
with pitiable physical, mental and NOR
al wrecks. 1t is degrading and demon
alizing in all it's influences and leaves
behind it Shiny trail of debauchery
and ruin. Mr.. Heinemann comedies
that the drink question sis a matter
that touches almost every department
of life. 1t has a moral aspect, a NV
glenlc and physiological, a psychologist
cal, social, an economic, a political.
q fiscal, general cultural aspect. each
of them tollcbipo opo'e l;fo