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Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela itait possible. ce>. thoroughly understands the Fmciple of bal- ance in bookkeeping is able, with the knowledge of a few technicalities, to keep the books of -y . ^'f ^^^^ ^"^^^ ccnrern. The principle of the steam engine is very simple, yet it underlies nearly all the manufacturing, transpor- Ltion, mining and other great industries of the worh These principles are in everything, in the hearts of men as well as in the workings of nature. Ambition leads men to work, to think, to scheme, to overcome defects and per- feet themselves. The philosophy a man adopts influences ail the activities of his life. Progress is made in life only as principles are mastered, one of which is this principle of tern- perance, which should be developed and thoroughly estab- lished in the mind and heart. Once it is established m the individual there is no need to fear the very many prob- lems requiring its application. Every opportunity to indulge that is resisted makes tlie individual so much stronger, or, in other words, buUds up and strengthens within him this principle of temperance. The same is true of all good and evil, which are of the heart. Outward things in themselves are neither good nor evil, but present the opportunity to resist and become stronger and better or to indulge and become weaker and worse" Christ teaches this when He says, "Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnesses and blasphemies." And, again, in His departing prayer, He asks Ood not to take the apostles out of the world, but to strengthen them against the evils in it. God does not want people taken away from the so- called evil things, nor does He want the things removed. IJis apparent purpose is to cause us to liglit, resist and over- con;e and by so doing develop purer, stronger and nobler character. This is the only rational mode of building up the principle of temperance. Temperance and Prohibition. Maintaining this proper attitude to outward things brings in the exercise of choice or liberty of conscience. The right use of choice is "good" and the wrong usei is "evil." Too much cannot be made of this freedom of soul. This liberty of choice is the greatest and most wonderful gift to man. Every efiort should be made to cultivate and strengthen it in all, but more especially, in the young. We must give every man that which is his divine and sacred right, to stand on his own responsibility and choose tor himself the path he ..ill pursue. Many so-called temper- ance people make light of liberty, as if one wished it only for the sake of indulgence. As a matter of fact, liberty ot choice, to those who differ from them, is what has been stated— a high and holy thing over which no man has any right of control whatever, and which God Himself respects and leaves entirely to man's free will. What immense room is there for work along these lines, instead of vainly endeavoring to remove all so called evils from humanity's reach ? Temperance reform can be accomplished only by develop- ment of intellect and moral courage. *or years there has been so much agitation in regard to the liquor problem in one direction that little attention has been given to tem- perance in its other and more rational aspects. Herein has been the chief evil of such agitation, that it has not only divided the citizens of the nation so that one party des- pises the other, but also has been the cause of much neglect in the rational development of the general principle of tem- perance. This is one of the great "left undones." Intem- perance in liquor-drinking has completely overshadowed everything else, and so-called temperance workers have agi- tated for that which they cannot get and could not suc- cessfully work if it could be obtained. In other words, they have striven to do by legislation the spiritual work in men's Temperance and Prohibition. hearts, and have left the noble work of development ot the grace of temperance in everything else to grow like the seed in the parable that fell on the thorny and stony ground. The whole subject of this spiritual work has been neglected by spiritual people worse than the poorest tilled ground by the lazy and shiftless farmer. In all people there is a tendency to indulge in the pur- suits that give pleasure and to shun those that give pain. This is to be expected since God has given man the power ot choice. Nor is it strange that he often goes to excess, for he reasons, that if slight indulgence gives slight pleasure, greater indulgence will give greater pleasure. It is only when he finds that pleasure pursued too far gives pain that he begins to think of the folly of excess. *Tom this experience he learns to what extent pleasure or profit may be pursued wisely. Then he concludes that it is unwise to go beyond that point. This wisdom, acted upon, is tem- perance. Its exercise is called for in eating, drin: ing, work, sleep, sports, lust, frivolity, emotions, etc. G( d created man with all these attributes and with the tendency or at least the possibility to over-indulgence in their gratification; He gave man perfect liberty to pursue any one or all, to indulge moderately or to totally abstain. He evidently intends that man shall learn from actual experience to what extent he may or should indulge, and learn to exercise his powers of will to restrain himself. This proper restraint produces in all things temperance. The perfectly temper- ate man is not so much the one, who, through fear of self, totally abstains, as he who has gained strength to keep from indulging beyond a certain limit. There would be no cry of intemperance in regard to liquor drinking, even, it men never drank beyond the safe point, which proves th.it only immoderate drinking can rightly be called intemperate. This seems to be the view taken of drinking throughout 3 Temperance and Prohibition. the Bible, where wine is sol often mentioned tua one ol the blessings to the people. It was a part of the sacrifice, was made by Christ at the marriage feast, and was used in that most solemn sacrament of the Lord's Supper. (Jhrist also speaks of putting new wine in old bottles ; and throughout the Scriptures do not prohibit the moderate use of wine, which, if it were still used only in moderation, would doubtless still be considered a blessing. But to return to temperance in the general sense ; while many know how far to indulge, yet, becauae of the pleasure, they allow desire or appetite to become master of their wills. Bad habits are formed and exercised and the power of re- sistance lessened more and more. These habits grow un- restrained so long that they become the most marked char- acteristics of those possessing them. This sad condition is common to all types of humanity. All are not slaves to the same habit, yet the same principle or lack of principle is at the root of every case. Certainly at this stage legisla- tion is mere foolishness. The scientitic doctor does not cure a headache by application to the head, but goes back to the root of the matter and recommends a change ot habit to make the heart and liver more healthy. We must treat the intemperate in the same way, by going to the root of the matter and building up the principle of restraint. Restraint not only in the most intemperate habit, but fully as much along other lines so as to develop the general principle of self-control ; just as a mastery of one branch ot learning assists in every other branch. The mistake that is generally made is in blaming the thing of which intemper- ate use is made for the evil result ; whereas the cause at the very root of the matter is lack of control of the tendei-^y to excess. There is no royal road to learning, nor is there any royal road to temperance ; no short cuts. Developing the principle of temperance may be a slow process, but it is 10 Temperance and Prohibition. a sure one. Every conquest in smaller things gives strength tbat helps in future need. When a person has been de- veloped or has developed himself in this way the result is a roan of whom there is no r.eed to be ashamed. Even suppose it were possible to at once cut off some ot the means of indulgen e, such as spiritous liquors, it is quite probable that intemperance equally as marked would manifest itself in other directions, because of lack of re- straint. On the other hand, when the pow<»r to resist lias been wisely and duly exercised we need not tear in cases of new experiences and circumstances. This principle is generally recognized in other things, as when we try to in- culcate principles of right in a child rather than to give liim rules to guide in every instance. Looking at temperance from this rational point of view, liquor, while it has been the means of doing much harm, has aisof done much good, having been the means ■f hereby many have been made strong liy resisting and controlling. It is quite doubtful if the world would be better to-day had there never been any liquor invented. I'le hearts of men would have been just as evil, and while many would not be tailen, many woula not be as strong. yy Temperance and Prohibition. 11 CHAFrEH il. The Church In Relation to Temperance. one would think from the way some of the e^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ up an agitation for prohibitive legislation ^^^^J^^ ^'^Z t,^ffic that their own condition was ah ^'^''^ J^^^^^^,, sired • that the Church had its work doue and "^fY^^^ But one has only to be a casual observer to see that sue. i. not the case; that their «^'\ ^°f '^^ .^^ J^tcV^ ,y ur.rk ineffective, aid that they might well be criticized by the people they se. ni to delight to antagonize. One great error some of the churches make is that they do not%';ititate the intellectual tacumes of -en- ters sufficiently. They do not study the f ^^^ J^^"* f^ fipipnt zeal and much of their teaching ani work is of a Tact t :triicial as to indicate but sUght insight into the profound and universal principle, -aid down by Uins • Clergymen are too often content to preach sermons conta i- in. the thoughts and hackneyed phrases familiar trom child- hood. Members do uot make tne deep study ot the Bible that their fathers did, nor are they able to discuss matters of religion with that degree of insight t'-t should b. «-.u One evidence of this lack of intellectual acumen and knowledge of the principles underlying things is their attitude towards the liquor question. They seem to be able to IhinV: about only what they see. They see a man drunk on thj street and at once desire to banish all drinking, whether ten icrate or intemperate. This would they do 12 Temperance and Prohibition. at the sacrifice of fundamental principles without taking the pains to search for and discover them. They at once attribute hasp motives to those who prefer to look at this question, as at ail others, in an impartia', truth-seeking man- ner. In other words, such members of a community are swayed and directed by prejudice rather than by inteUi- gent investigation. At this very moment the Church would do well to enter upon a more earnest utudy of Christ, seek- ing to find out the perfect principles underlying His life and works. Christians need to be more independent and fear- less thinkers and to be prepared to give a reason for their hope and faith. Another error that some of the churches make and which 13 a fruitful cause of much of the drinking as well as of other evil, is the constant teaching that Christians should make a sharp dividing line between themselves and the world. This leads them to become a select and too often self-righteous few and to satiate themselves on senti- ment. It is taught that you must not go among sinner? lest you shortly become one youT^aelf. With the senti- mental and weak hold that many of them have on the funda- mental principles, it does seem a wise precaution. Jiefore Christ came to the world He was with the father in glorv and looking down at the terribly sinful state of humanity,' mi^ht have said that He would draw the Ime between Him- self and the world, and that He would never mix with such sinners. But He came into the world in human form, and. being in the world, went down among the worst and most degraded to lift up and to save. What are we to think tifZ^ 7 JT'"''' ^'^ '''' '"^ ^° "^^^ «"«h lest they bcnome tainted with pollution ? it was Christ's sym- pathy . ,,,„ t,, t ,,^^^„,^^ ^j^^^ ^^^ ^^ themselves and made , ..n men. This may be a difficult remedy for Church •W't^rsm- Temf, ranee and Prohibition. 13 people, but, as it was Christ's way, tliey should adopt Jt. Away with the dividing line and let each i;hristian icve his neighbor as hiniscit, and by sympathy, association and help prove himself a true brother in Christ. It is not enough to just associate with our weaker brethren ; we mast touch them in every possible point to eiicourage, assist and strengthen. In everyone there ia some spark of j: jodnass left, and it is our duty to llnd and foater it into flame. Christians should seek the siufj' and wretched, associate with them, share their sufferings, even eat the same lare and wear the same ciothes if necdj be ; anything that can be done to express sympathy and render assistance. We cannot love them without sympathy, and we cannot sym- pathize without knowing their thoughts, desires, likes and dislikes, difficulties and sufferings. It is necessary to coma to a knowledge of them by some means. We must win their confidence and their love ; their respect and their admiration are not enough. What is needed is true friend- ship, the warm and confidential fellov.-ielling that causes them to realize that they are our brjti.ers and equals. iSoine ChriatJans are so afraid that prop?r reverence will not be shown them that they conduct u iselves more rigidly in the presence of the sinful than at jther times. This aroussea antagonism. It should not be the church memben that is reverenced, but the ennobling principle which dominates his life. The fact that he is as human as they, yet acts differ- ently in the midst of temptation is readily attributed to the Christianity within him. It is his silent inlluence, his cor- dial frendship and solicitude for their welfare, that makes the ungodly desire to be like him in principle and character. The Church has become too selfish. The fact is forgot- ten that it is not what we accomplish in life that counts, but the effect that the accomplishing has on character, b'ocial graces are wasted on those not in need of them, and much 14 Temperance and Prohibition. time devoted to accumulating more of this world's gooUs than the Christian should seek to have. The desire is not to distribute the good things of the world among the whole people, but to make wide the contrast between rich ana poor. There is much lack of genuine sincerity. Home life is not always what it should be, and iniprove- nieiifs in this, by Christian people, would prevent many children from going astray. Christians at leaat should place a higher value on family worship, which seems to have died out in a great many hrmes. Every family should have an altar sacred to the worship of the Most High. Keverent worship might not entirely prevent children from wrong- doing, but its influence would be far- caching, and in most cases effectual. In other respects homes are not kept up to a desirable standard. Parents, as a rule, are leaving too much of the training of their children in the hands o° others. Public and private schools are doing a great goort throughout the land, perhaps more than the churches, out they cannot fully make up for lack of good home training. The excuse of lack of time or ability to train is a poor one. It is perhaps the highest u ity of parents and guardians to efficiently train and prepare their children for good citizen- ship ; and this duty should be imperatively felt. Even in spare moments much can be done in right train Lg, if only a proper sense of responsibility be felt and the good it would accomplish be apprehended. While the parent may not have many scholastic attainments, he has experience of Iho world and should strive to establish moral principles in * - hearts and minds of his children. Mothers are somewhat at fault in placing tooi low an estimate on the nobility ot their work in the home, and in endeavoring to shine so- ciallv or to be prominent in church and other societies. Too often effort is put forth to enter the sphere proper to men, which ever leads to the neglect of the home, where Temperance and Prohibition. 15 woman's noblest work for God and man is done. The work of cliaiity is appropriate to women, as well as to men. Uon- sidcnible of their spare time so spent, especially in a private and unostentatious manner, could not fail to make them a llessjng to others. Homes seem to have been attacke« love. ^ '^ ^^"'^ *"d the divine power of '"temperance is not entire! v rf,.« * *. .- churches, nor are all the e!iu? .. '"' ^''"''^ *° ^""e enness Ti,. T -. *" ^^"^ ^'"'^d caused by drunk- ovil,, and i, L'r „„°„\ ,«" r„T""f " ""'°"'''' "^ »"■'■ b>.t, on the othT hand i, Xn ,h. ^ '° "■" "'"•"'■ of drink eonld he greatt Te,/e.ed bv Lor "'^ "" ^"" condition,, such JfToJiLiZtrL^T''' '"'"■'""'>"!! a<....n.ine.aJa«..e^'-;^--^^^^^^^ Temperance and Prohibition. 17 CHAPTER m. Hints to Reformers* The old proverb— 'Trevention is better than cure"— ap- plies appropriately to temperance reform. it a child ia lirevcnted from becoming a drunkard, a greater work haa been done with less energy than to reform him alter he nas btcomp a slave to the habit. if parents and guardians trained the chil'-en entrusted to their care in the funda- mental principles of self-control there would be no drunk- ards. The children would not only be master of their ip- potitef in this respect, but in every other as well. Children should be taught to obey implicitly in matters which they do not understand. Matters which are too complicated lor their intellect should be argued with them, but an unques- tioned obedience imposed. All through life they have to submit to circumstances over which they ihave no control and the reason of which they cannot see, hence the neces- sity of training themi in childhood to submit to authority. Tliere are many incidents in the life of a em" lich the principles of temperance apply. He can ^ .ugnt to hold his temper, to resist the temptation to strike his bro- ther or sister or to abuse his pets. These are matters which make up his daily life, and he has a rational understanding of them. Reasons for self-restraint can be made appar- ent to him without going into tneones and principles which mistify and muddle his intellect. DYom this can he seen the absurdity of inducing children to pledge themselves never to drink liquor. They know nothing of liquor or 18 Temperance and Piohibition. ita ciroets, and if thev are lilt alone will not know! in all probability for some years to come. They know little or notliii'.;; of ])rinfl{)Ip or motive. Hut they are presented with one of the most complicated results of an unknown cause, their minds arc filled with wonder and tluy have a new subject for thought. The continuous liarping o'f .Sunday sc' -nl teachers and utners keeps the subject "or Jiquor- drinking constantly before the childish mind. This is surely unwholesome food for the opening intellect of chUdhood. ^^■ron<,' ideas are al-'o impressed on the child mind. Children are taught that the demon is in the glass, and on the pledge card usually appears large snakes or some other species ot hideous reptile. These exaggerations give the child a horror not only of liquor, but of men who drink it. The restraint of the pledge is felt to bind thtm to this view. liut he reaches the age wiien he sees men drink, sees no devil in the glass nor any snakes. Liiiuor makes men merry, and hid youthful abiiiKianee of life causes him to love merry people. Men of respect and inlluenee drink, men whom everyone admires and wlio always treat him kindly. lie begins to feel that he is a big boy now. Mis Uod-given n-hi tu exerei-e his elioice in matters concerning himselt asserts itself. He chafes undi r the restraint of pledge and teacher and finally throws it off entirely. Unce he realizes he is free his first impulse is to abuse that liberty. lie hah suddenly come into possession of it and has not been tau-ht its i)roi)er use and extent. Tliis is not strange. 'Ihe English people on becoming suddenly freed from the severe restraint inijuised by C'roiiiwell immediately plunged into ex- cessive indul^moe in the very things wliich he prohibited. Similar conduct wa j that of tlie i'rcnch revolutionists, and of tlie plebeians of ancient lionie. It is only when people are left in possession of their freedom and educnted to its proper use and extent that they can be expected to use it wiselv. Temperance and Prohibition. 19 Parents should know their children better than anyone else know? them. They should be more intimate with them t»-n other people. They should bo their confidential fritndi 113 well as their protectors. To accomplish this they must study them closely, watch the growth of their yoang i-iel- Iccts .ind discern the first indications of forming character and disposition. To parents belong the right and the obli- gation to mould and shape the dispositions of their children and not to others with whom the children come m con- tact on the streets or at school. Because a son has grown up and developed into a (ininkard is no reason that his reform should be despaired of. A father may be a moral and temperate man and Iiis son a worthless inebriate. This is t'.ubtless due to th2 fact that the father has been careless or perhaps too much occupied with other affairs to give the son the atten- tion required. lliey have been little togetner, it may he, and have had few pursuits or interests in common. The father has failed to discover the r.endenciea of the boy, and, when the latter has reached the years of manhood,' they are comparative strangers. Uecause of the circumstances which have kept them apart, the boy has sought com- panionship elsewhere. The result is that others, too often unscrupulous and vicious, have usurped the lather's place m the son's confidence. He learns from them the things lu does not know and what a boy growing into you« man- hood must come to know. Things for which he should have the highest respect he learns to make vulgar jests about and to regard as means tor the gratincation ot sensual desire. Tn a word, he is not moral and temperate like his father, but immoral and intemperate like his comrades, who l-ave had the parent's place in his affection and conduct. The father sees the boy fast becoming a drunkard, unfit for work or business. He reproves him, reasons with him, 20 Temperance and Prohibition. ^^\::ZTl: Z^'^ -- e..r,t.., ,« can t.„. without avail. E^rsZated b. ^ ." "'°'™' *'"* ^^^^^^-^'y lad one last change "^Fa-Iure"^'"' '°'"*°^' ^^ «*^«« *b« ill-trained vouthTs exDel^/f !°'"''' ^'^ ^^« neglected, express admiration f^t" e ' o''", ""' '°'"^- ^"^^ ^^^^^'^ Will not tolerate dr^kennrln""^^^^^ ''' **'^- ^^^ young man may puU hims!?f Z\^ ^ '''^" **'°- '^'^^ character, but he fsL^e Sy to '"d "' •'"''" " ^'^^ course. Instead of sending ."^^^^C"" '° ^ ^'^«^"'« systematically and Ders..f.r.H , ^' ^''^ **^^®' "^^o^ld the boy. l^efrt^Urrr^^rvf^^^^^^^^^ andstrengthen'rtniirb^:;rf,r°"^^ '^ '''''-' be shown that, though drunJcen .r^ h P'*^'" ^^'^ "'^""^'^ and tenderly loved ; more "o than h '''"'' '' " "^^^^^^ '^tand. To prove s'uch Ate n^ t,t%re\aC^ ""'"■ come an agreeable compa^on, Lerl,i ^^ .r'*^ '^• innocent sports and othVr pu^su^I wT . °''^^' ^ ^"'^*' musb become a youth iLl ^'^^^ ^*« «'°- "e round his eomnan^on „n? 'P'"* ^"*^ *'^°'*"''t and sur- will prevent hfm from ^hi^l"""^ ^'^'^'^ ""^*««^- ^his ,him to resist 1^ Inln^; t^^^.r-^^ ---.- ly not succeed in stopping drinkinrJn . ' ""'" ^'°*'^"- have commenced to exerfise btC in IT' '"' '' ""' things. Unless it be really nee ssar^ Je, T"". ^' ^''" versation about liquor as iL ,1''''^''"^' ^^t there be no con- tite for strong drink. °"^'' °' '' *^«»««« the appe- *♦ Temperance and Prohibition. ^1 comfort. They attack men in their strongest fort when they strive to force them, to abstinence. Everything that men accomplish in the world is done by force of one kind or another. In fact overcoming obstacles is their natural bent, while in the case of wives it is quite the opposite. Tbo latter accomplish nothing by force. Their weapon is love, and, if by means of this they cannot reform their husbands, it is worse than useless to resort to force. The tendency to overcome resistance is excited the more by opposition. I It has already been clearly shown that temperance and temperance reform are matters of intellectual training and moral culture ; and, since neither can be accomplish- ed in any other way, it is evident that, if the intellectual and moral side of a person's lifet has from any cause been neglected from childhood, development must be undertaken in manhood years. Habits are set and the intellect dulled and not easily impressed, which makes the task difficult ; nevertheless, by becoming thoroughly acquainted with those in such a condition, taking them just as they are, finding out their conceptions of right and wrong and to what extent in every case resistance or selt-control is practised, they can be led to apply this power to new phases of indulgence. Tliis can be accomplished by any one who is superior in in- tellectual strength and moral character. They can be so completely led out of themselves that in time they will almost entirely forget intoxicant^, (juite unconsciously they are induced to exercise resistance, and betore they are fully aware of it they are restraining themselves from habit- ual actions. The new subjects of thought and conversation interest them, intellect and principles broaden, and they come at length to realize that they have a power within themselves to make them temperate and respectable. The respect and interest of others beget respect for themselves 22 Temperance and Prohibition. and the god work is done, or at least selt-e.-rtrol is gaining strength and working out its effects in their conduct. Temperance reformers, which should include every Christian, should be observant and diligent students o'l human nature, using tact and judgment, studying ways ot applying intellectual and moral means and methods to difl'crent types of intemperance, and, above all, possessing genuine desire to uplift and ennoble their fellow-men. It is argued by many that, while intemperance is primar- ily the result of unhealthy spiritual conditions, it has be- come in many cases a matter for physical treatment. Some have become so enfeebled by the long and constant use of intoxicants that they cannot summon force of resolution suf- ficient to make an attempt at resistance. Others are so far gone that, if they were to cease indulging, they would become insane or perhaps die. For some phvsical treat- ment may be necessary ; if 30, medical aid should be resorted to. But even this is not certain to succeed. Many who have been physically treated have reformed ; but many also, who are intemperate in heart and character and have not been surrounded by intellectual and spiritual conaitioiis, have fallen into the old ways again. Anv man who is truly desirous of reforming and who is, aided bv the svm- puthy and loving friendsliip of intelligent companions can eul- tivate the power of resistance. Even a man, who does Mot wish to reform, can be brought to desire it by the conduct towards him of temperate Christian friends. Such a person usually shuns prominent church members or temperance agi- tators. They never go where they are likely to meet them; but Chn-uans should ^^eek them, make themselves agreeable and with loving kindness lead them to desire better" things. These means may be considered by many practical folk , • Temprrance ami Prohibition. 23 a-= ideal and nni)) .etical. lint tlicy are uiuicmably tf..? 1, ' ans employed by Christ in the spiritual rctorniation ol tlic world. Temperance reform is but a continuation of that reformation, and the sani. means must suU bo employ^'a if any degree of success is to be allaiiied. Lnsollish lovfi for those whom it is in our power to assist, knowledge ct th(ir dispositions and temperaments, willingness to sacritiee and snflFer on their account ami an experimental knowledge of the fundamental principles of Christianity are indispen- sable weapons in temperance warfare. C<^^. •'^ v- I u Temperance and Prohibition. CHAlTJflR IV. Prohibition. From the foregoing consideration of the talse principle of Prohibition, it is not strange that eflorts at prohibitory legislation have been failures. In Ontario the Uunkin and Scott Acts failed miserably and were repealed. A prohi- bitory act of New Brunswick in 1856 was repealed after a trial of only a few months, and eight of the States of the United States have tried Prohibition only to repeal it on .vC- ccunt of failure. But the latest agitation is for Provincial P ohibition, which has revived on account of the recent de- cision of the Imperial Privy Council that the Provinces have power to prohibit the sale of liquor as a beverage. This is really not proliibition in the strict sense, as it does not pro- hibit the manufacture or sale under certain conditions. It is a measure of a restrictive character which, as it could not prevent importation of liquor from other Provinces, or wliolesale by Provincial brewers, would have the tendency to transfer drinking from the public hoise to the home*. Would this be for the good of the homes ? The history of prohibitory measures does not prove such retail restriction to be at all desirable in the public interest The State of Maine has had a longer experience of prohibi- tion than other communities, yet the following extract from the introduction of "The Liquor Problem" will show that It has not worked successfully. "The Liquor Problem" U a book published by Charles VV. Eliot. Seth Low and James ■*'''*'lill*i3j_ ^(^ I r Temperance and Prohibition. S5 t C. Carter, a sub-committee of the Committee ot *llty, a group of the ablest men of the United iStates. The book U published by authority of the whole committee and should have more weight than the opinions of paid agitators or mistaken enthusiasts. It says : — "But prohibitory legi3la- tion has failed to exclude intoxicants completely even from districts where public sentiment has been favorable. In districts where public sentiment has been adverse or strongly divided the traffic in alcholic beverages has been sometimes repressed or harassed, but never exterminated or rendered unprofitable. In Maine and Iowa there have always been counties and municipalities in complete and successful rebel- lion against the law. The incidental difficulties created by the United States revenue laws, the industrial and medicinal demand for alcohr' and the freedom of interstate commerce have never been overcome. Prohibition has, of course, failed to subdue the drinking passion, which will forever prompt the resistance to all restrictive legislation. "There have beer joncomitant evils of prohibitive legis- lation. The efl'orts to enforce it during the forty years past have had some unlooked-for effects on public respect lor courts, judicial procedure, oaths and law m general, and for officers of the law, legislators and public servants. The public have seen law defied, a whole generation of habitual li\\»- \ rs schooled in evasion and shamelessness, courts ineffee Jirough flu • ations of policy, delays, perjuries, negligence and otheri miscarriages of justice, officers of the law double-faced and mercenary, legislators timid and in- sincere, candidates for office hypercritical and truckling, and office-holders unfaithful to pledges and to reasonable public expectation. Through an agitation which has always had a moral end, these immortalities have been developed ana made conspicuous. The liquor traffic, being very profitable, has been able, when attacked by prohibitory legislation, 26 Temperaiue and Prohibition. to pay fines, bribes, hush-money and assessments tor political purposes to hirge amounts. This money has tended to cor- rupt the lower courts, 'he police administration, political organizations, and even the electorate itselt. Wherever the voting force of the liquor tratiic and its allies is con- siderable, candidates for olilce and office-holders are tempted to serve a dangerous trade interest, which is often in an- tagonism to the public interest. Frequent yieiamg to this temptation causes general degeneration in public life, breeds contempt for public service, and of course makes the service less desirable tor upright men. Again, the sight ot justices, constables and informers enforcing a prohibitory law fui- enough to get from it the fines and foes which profit them, but not far enough to extinguish the trailie and so cut ott the source of their profits, is demoralizing to society at large. All legislation intended ^o put restrictions on the liquor traffic, except perhaps the simple tax, is mor" or less liable to these objections ; but the prohibitory legisaltion is the worst of all in these respects, because it stimulates to the utmost the resistance of the liquor dealers and their supporters. " Of course those are disputed effects of ellorts at i'rohi- bition. Whether it has or has not reduced the consump- tion of intoxicants and diminished drunkenness is a matter of opinion, and opinions differ widely. No demonstration on either of these points is now attainable, after more than forty years of observation and experience." Even could it be shown that the con-,umption of spirit- uous liquors liad decreased under prohibition in Maine, it would only be a similar experience to that of many other places not under prohibitory law. The fact that liquor- drinking has greatly declined in Ontario during the past twenty-five years, though patent to every citizen of the I'ro- ^P?* Temperance and Prohibition. S7 viiice, is proven, very clearly by the following iigures trom a spooeli by Hon. G. W. I'oss, I'remicr. in ».)ntario thero were tavern licenses (1875) 4,793, (1901) 2,201 ; shop licenses (1875) 1,307, (1901) 308 ; wholesale licenses (1875) 5i', (1901) 21 ; vesid licenses (1875) 33, (1901) none ; all licenses (1875) 6,185, (10!)1) 2,950. In 1875 there was an average of l license for every 278 of population ; in 1901 there was 1 lor each 700. The convictions for drunkenness in Untario are now 1 for each 828, a better showing than any of the other Trovinces. The convictions for the whole Dominion are 1 for each 310. There are also serious oltjoctions to the State dispensary systems wliich arc entirely opposed to the sentiment ot prohibitionists, who do not wish to have any tiling to do witli the sale of liquor. They create political niaciiines wiucii would not be beneficial to a country like Canada, wliere there is already too much politics and too little statesmanship. TEgh liaensc also Avorics badly as it leads, in a less de- gree, to the evils experienced with Trohibaion. Tlie cost of Trohibition for a large Province like Untario would be very great, and, considering that drinkirg would still continue and drag a train oi" evils in its course, this should lead every elector to think seriously before voting for such a measure. The revenue of Dntario last year from license was $029,238, of which the municipalities received $250,482. Tliere would be a large loss to the Dominion in excise and other duties. An imniense amount of money is invested in distilleries, breweries, hotels and kindred institutions, wliieh would be almost ruined were prohi- bition enacted. Add to tliis the loss in employment to thou- sands of people, the decrease m transportation, the loss to financial institutions, much of wliich would have to te paid for by the public by way of rompcn«ation and the ncecs- 28 Temperance and Prohibition. sity will be evident of making sure that prohibitory iegia- lation is of eueh benefit as to outweigh all these consid- erations. As regards iiquor-drinking, Canada is already one of the most temperate countries in the world. Owing to the strong temperance sentiment, greater prosperity, educational development, the modem requirement of sober men for the keen business competition, as well as other causes, drinking has steadily decreased. Can the Provinces tnerefore, afford a costly experiment with this question when the eflforts of othei countries in this line have never been successful ? tinn '^^'I»V' *l"* ^'''"•"'^^ '•^^ '"'^ """^'^ Paternal legisla- tion. All through the statutes are evidences of the inter- ference of goody goody people, so much that if our laws were strictly enforced our people one and ail wouia nna them unbearable. Amendments are constantly being made societies or of men more gifted with sentiment and aesthe- tieism than with wisdom and statesmanship. The agitation for Prohibition is confined almost entirely to one o two churches, and in these largely to the women and to the more impractical of the men. Such men are incapable of f. *>. ^ A unceasing agitation be attributed entirely to he depth of their love to God or to humanity, but in Son of ht'r'^^*''' "'"^"* ^P*"^ '' ^^-»»y ^" a per ^ree Vt f^^^'f^'^"" "-' -''-''' though in a lesser de- gree, ,s, ,n ts nature, similar to the spirit that actuated in times past the Christian Church in its cruelty. While there is no need for any sweeping changes in tne hquor laws, as we already have law enough if pr^ope^^y en! forced, here are some evils that need remedying. The treat- in- system is bad, leading as it does to exoeSive drin^n. Temperaiice and Prohibition. 29 through the magnanimous feeling of each to treat, no mat- ter how many may be drinking. This does not require any change in the law, but rather the exercise of common sense by those who yield to the practice against their better judgment. The internal arrangements of many hotels could be improved to lessen the evil. There should be less antagonism to hotels and such an improvement of the law as wci'Jd lead to simpler and Trore effective procedure against violators of the liquor acts. The penalties have been made so severe that liquor cases are generally fought to the bitter end, pnd with the result that attempts at enforce- ment are not as frequent nor as successful as they should be. 30 Temperance and Prohibition. CtiAkriEU V. Answers to Common Arguments of Prohibitionists. Some of the arguments of prohibitionists are found to stand on very slender foundation.-. One is that the Joss in revenue would be made up by saving in the administra- tion of justice and the lessening of crime. There is no evidence of this in places where >/rohibition has been tried In fact, the expense of enforcing such a law would be verv great, and would require a whole army of special constab-es and other officials. I„ Maine from the year 1890 to 1«!)4 inclusive, the total prosecutions in the Supreme, Judicial and Superior Courts numbered in all 8,19U, of which 5 4/-' were liquor cases. In the same period the total num'ber sentenced was 3.779, of which 2,678 were for violation of the liquorlaw. More than fifty per cent, or the criminal cases in Maine are liquor cases. .No proof can be produced ot the essen.ng of either drinking or crime where i-rolubition has been tried. It is also argued that millions of dollars are thrown away yearly. As a matter of fact, this is over-stated, as much of the money goes out into numerous channels, su.^h as for grain, freight, wages, etc. It is claimed there is prohibition m oth, i things, which is not correct in the sense of prohibition of property. Cod's method of dealing will, men ,s to give a command but not to remove everv possi- bility of breaking it. It is here that the argument m .ome fail, when they say that law is a school teacher Temperance aud ProhibUion. 31 iind leads to conditions that help spiritually. Tliis may be tiuu of right kind of laws, but surely not of laws that are paternal ; that step in and interfere with men's personal and private liberty. J^aws are all right when they protect the lilerties of all, but not when they interfere with the individ- ual in his private capacity as a free and independent soul. But the three arguments on which the greatest stress is laid are, +hat Prohibition would protect the young, that the curse and ruin of drunkenness would be removed aud that the citizens of the State, which licenses luiuor-selhug, are thereby co-partniTs in the business. In regard to the young we should aim to expand and develop the individual. Cliristianity demands self-control. Ignorance is neither in- nocence nor strength. The laws already protect the young if enforced. Liquor-drinking is now confined to a few known places, wlicnas under Prohibition ardent .«ipirits would ne sold eve. , where on the sly and in contempt of the law. Such general sale it would be impossible to guard against. Drunk- enness is a great evil that no one likes to sec, but evil has always existed and this one wilJ ?rpetuate itself with greater or less vitality as long as i-on are uneducated m sour ' principles and untrained in self-control. Evil is one of the mysteries of the world, the leasons for the existence of which have never been explained. Certainly I'rotiibi- tion 1 IS never succeeded in anniliilating drunkenness. The argument in egard to licenses is just as weak as the others. Licensing liquor-selling does not create an evil, but conttnes and restrains one that has always existed and which there is little hope of completely eradicating; and most certainly not by means of prohibitive legislation. The right to license does not give the r!r!;ht to prohibit, as is proven in the case of license to marry. In conclusion, it is most important that the citizens of Si Temperance and Prohibition. this Province think deeply, coolly and aoberly on the sub- ject of Prohibition. There has alwaj j been so much sen- timent in connection with this question and so many pas- sionate appeals to tho en^otional nature that calm, business- like consideration has b-.-en out of order. But this must not be. This is an age of calm, deep thought, and a cause which will not stand the intellectual and rational lest must be very weak. It is the imperative duty of every elector t , study Piohibitiort as a means of moral advancement. We believe that as the result of such deliberation he will con- clude it to be a detriment rather than a help to the cause of true temperance. Finding such true, it is his duty a« a pat- riotic citizen to shake off the apathy so prevalent in regard to tins matter and vote against prohibitive legislation. Dm