TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES AND INTEMPERATE ADVOCATES.

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2335, 10 September 1877, Page 2

TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES AND INTEMPERATE ADVOCATES.

(To the Editor.)

Sn;, —I like many others, do detest to sec temperance advocated by intemperance which I am prepared to say has a decidedly contrary effect to that which is intended. Harsh, acrimonious, illnatured, and untruthful, .statements vail never make converts to any cause. Neither will man be made temperate by force, and it can never benefit the causa of temperance to call the sellers of spirits, beer, &c., all sorts of vile names, as if they were thieves, vagabonds, &c; and why is the publican abused and vilified, and the merchant, distiller, and the brewer let free, and looked upon as some of the best members of society. Again, if we are to stop the sale of all spirits, and shut up all publichouses because their use is abused, why not prevent the uso of razors because some men cut their throats with them, or stop the manufacture of rope because some people hang themselves with it, or shut up all chemists and druggist? shops because they sell poison as well as drugs ? Again, .should we not dry up all rivers, canals] ponds, &c, because some people drown themselves in them ? Advocate temperance in all things—sound, scriptural, and truthful arguments, and I am one with advocates of sobriety, and for the ill which you wish to abolish, substitute some good. Let us have good, handsome, and comfortable mechanics homes, the Coil'ee and Cocoa Clubs, with good readingrooms, where men for Id or 2d could have their cup or two of tea or coffee, aud bread and butter, and the read of the newspaper, and more would be done away with the multitude of public houses now existing. Butjdon't abuse?and vilify publicans as the worst of characters, and let the supplyers and owners of hundreds of them class as the first members of society. Who would have said a word against Sir T. F. Buxtan, brewer, Mr Guinness, brewer, Mr Allsop, brewer, Sir R. Burnett, gin spinner or distiller, and yet they are all owners and supplyers of hundreds of public houses. I know many publicans as good members of society as any living man. And the whole body of Licensed Victuallers will stand well in comparision with the main body of society in acts of charity and benevolence. Where can yon find both a more charitable and benevolent institution than those belonging to, and instituted by the Licensed Victuallers. Their benevolent institutions', their alms houses, their schools, their Society for the aged and infirm, and in fact, all institutions connected with their body. None better or better conducted. I havelnot a particle of interest to serve in what I say or write. I do not think I enter a public house three times a year, but I do like plain honest truth to be spoken. Give honour to whom honour is due. A cause must be a bad one which has to be propped up by falsehood and slander. Bat I believe publicans to be as respectable a body of men as exist in other trades. This abuse, aud low vituperation is not the way to advocate any good cause, and bring scandal upon the originators of it. I could back 30, 40, or 50 publicans against the same number of merchants, traders, farmers, aye, and legislators, and they would stand very well in comparison. I believe public houses properly kept a public convenience, and do not think the keeper of them should be abused as downright blackguards or thieves. This is not the way to make converts to any caxise, but has the exact contrary effect, with others I expect, as with your obedient servant, Old Practical.