BLUE RIBBONISM.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5310, 17 March 1884, Page 2

BLUE RIBBONISM.

I TO THE EDITOR. ! Sir, — Will you kindly allow me space in your valuable and widely circulating paper for a few remarks on a matter that seriously affects a large number of the inhabitants of this country. About ten or twelve months ago a Blue Ribbon Army was started in Marton with a great flourish of trumpets, and which, according to the Advocate of that date, was to effect wonderful reforms. A few fanatics of the busy-body class who can neither mind their own business nor let other people's alone, took the matter in hand, and held a few public meetings, at which threatenings and slaughter .' were breathed against all and sundry engaged in supplying a public want, or those differing in opinion from the said would-be reformers. I attended several meetings for the purpose of judging for myself, at one of which that bitter enemy of all freedom, except the freedom of the waterbutt, denounced the publicans as a set of Jericho robbers, and indulged in a good deal of similarly choice language, to the great satisfaction of himself and the other fanatics, but to the disgust of respectable people present. Now, sir, I fail to see any good that this agitation either has or can accomplish, but it undoubtedly has succeeded in stirring up a great deal of ill-feeling between the different classes of the community who before its advent were living in perfect harmony. It will be gratifying to all lovers of freedom to know that, in spite of all the worked up excitement and false statements of Sir William Fox and his blind followers the whole thing has collapsed. One of the leaders stated publicly that there were 300 names on the roll. I feel confident that there are not fifty honest teetotalers in the district, and no one wears the blue ribbon, unless it is a few very young children. This is accounted for by the teetotalers in various ways, but by those who know the proper cause it is partly to the good sense of the people in refusing to be driven like cattle by a lot of fanatics, but principally to the fearless and outspoken manner in which our respected Anglican clergyman, who is entitled to the thanks of the community, attacked the fraud before it had got much foothold j aud in a sermon he preached, exposed the fallacy that it was either necessary, or in accordance with the teaching of scriptures, either to give or encourage such movements. This sermon had a good effect, and the movement has gradually declined since that time. Thank God, we have still some Ministers who are not ashamed of their opinions. The Presbyterian Minister is also very much opposed to this and all such rant, but - has not that outspoken courage that he might have. I have within the last few days been in communication with a gentleman from Hoxham, the head quarters of the great W. Noble, the founder of this movement in England, of whom we hear so much, and he declares that the whole thing has proved a dead failure. And that at the present time it is impossible to get meetings. People are full up of such humbug there is scarcely one who has any claim to respectibility that in any way countenances the movement. And it is a well-known fact that the same individuals sign the pledge over and over again for the purpose / of feeling the public by making them believed they are doing good. I should not have troubled you with this letter but knowing your love of justice and honesty, and wishing to expose what I and many others consider a humbug and piece of impertcnence on the part of a few fanatics, who declare that they will close every hotel in the country, without giving any compensation for vested or other interests. ' To attempt such a thing, I consider robbery, and we know well they would do so if they had the power — a thing they never will have if the people would only arouse to their true interests. I fear I have already trespassed too far on your space at this time, but may have something more to say in a future issue. — I am, &c,

An Old Marton Resident Marton, March 16th, 1884.

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