Temperance

Temperance. The temperance movement, may be regarded as a product of the newly-developed tendency to combine in associated efforts for the advancement of social and moral progress that formed a marked characteristic of the first quarter of the nineteenth century. The effects of excessive clrinking had been frequently pointed out by earnest-minded doctors and divines, who denounced it as a curse to society, and isolated efforts at reformation were put forth by a few persons who, for diverse reasons, refrained from partaking of intoxicating liquors; but it was, not until 1826 that an organised movement for the suppression of intemperance was commenced in the United States, where it spread with remarkable rapidity, and gained a firm hold of the sympathies of the people. Intelligence of the new movement reached Great Britain in 1828, and in the following year temperance societies were formed simultaneously in Scotland and Ireland by enthusiastic converts, who were at the time totally ignorant of each other's proceedings. The first English temperance society was formed in 1830 at Bradford, Yorkshire, by a commercial traveller who had attended a meeting in Glasgow, and the same year witnessed the formation of similar societies at Warrington, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, and other towns, the agitation being at the same time vigorously carried forward in Scotland and Ireland. Early in 1831 the movement reached the metropolis, where the British and Foreign Temperance Society was formed, chiefiy through the earnest and persevering exertions of Mr. William Collins, of Glasgow. All these societies were based upon the principle of abstinence from distilled spirits, with permission to use malt liquors and alcoholic wines in moderation; but their influence upon the public mind was comparatively limited, and it was not until the advantages of teetotalism were promulgated in 1832 at Preston, that anything like enthusiasm was manifested in behalf of temperance reform in England. The leader of the Preston crusade was Mr. Joseph Livesey, who commenced the Preston Temperance Advocate in 1834, aud after two visits to London succeeded in 1835 in forming "The British Teetotal Temperance Society," which was absorbed in 1836 by the "New British and Foreign Temperance Society," also a teetotal organisation; and that, after a series of modifications which it would be tedious to describe, eventually developed in 1856 into the National Temperance League, whose headquarters are now in Paternoster Row, London. In the meantime the movement had been spreading throughout the country, and hundreds of local societies came into existence. What is now known as the British Temperance League was formed at Manchester in 1835. The Western Temperance League was founded in 1837; the Scottish Temperance League in 1844; the United Kingdom Alliance in 1853; the United Kingdom Band of Hope Union in 1855; the Midland Temperance League in 1856; the North of England Temperance League in 1858; the Irish Temperance League in 1859; and the Church of England Total Abstinence Society in 1862, its reorganisation under the dual basis taking place in 1873. The Central Sunday Closing Association was reorganised in 1866, and the Independent Order of Good Templars was introduced into England in 1868; whilst the British Medical Temperance Association and the British Women's Temperance Association were instituted in 1876. Other organisations too numerous to mention sprang up from time to time, and swelled the tide of temperance influence throughout the country; the conferences, conventions, and other gatherings being carried on with dauntless vigour and a large share of genuine enthusiasm. The work of Father Mathew - commenced in 1838, and continued for several years - produced a powerful impression not only in Ireland, but in other parts of, the kingdom, where, as in America, "Father Mathew" societies are still flourishing. The repeated visits of Mr. John B. Gough, the American lecturer, were the means of securing many fresh adherents amongst all classes, and the persistent labours of other advocates were of inestimable value in enlisting public sympathy, while the extensive circulation of books, pamphlets, and tracts has been of immense service in extending and consolidating an enterprise the success of which largely depends upon the diffusion of reliable information. The )atest historical works are Dr. Dawson Burns' Temperance History (National Temperance Publication Depot) and The Temperance Movement and its Workers, by Mr. Winskill (Blackie and Sons); and the Annual of the National Temperance League contains a summary of current facts and statistics, compiled from parliamentary papers and other official documents. The weekly organs of the movement include the Temperance Record (National Temperance League), the Temperance Chronicle (Church of England Temperance Society), the Alliance News (United Kingdom Alliance), the Woman's Signal (British Women's Temperance Association), the Good Templars' Watchword, the League Journal (Scottish Temperance League), and the Scottish Reformer (Scottish Permissive Bill and Temperance Association); and there are also an immense number of monthly periodicals representing different localities, and dealing with the multiform aspects of the temperance question.

It is easier to describe the progress than to tabulate the results of the temperance reformation. The national drink bill, large as it is, would undoubltedly have been much larger if no effort had been made to check the growth of drinking habits, and there are many indications that the labonrs of the early teetotallers have not been entirely in vain. The refusal of an insurance company to accept a proposal from a healthy teetotaller, except at an advanced premium, led to the formation, in 1840, of the United Kingdom Temperance and General Provident Institution, which has demonstrated in a remarkable way the superior longevity of abstainers as compared with moderate drinkers; and the experience of the London Temperance Hospital, established in 1873, conclusively shows that alcohol is rarely necessary in the treatment of disease. The leaders of the medical profession have emphatically declared that "the most perfect health is compatible with total abstinence from intoxicating beverages," and that "alcohol, in whatever form, should be prescribed with as much care as any powerful drug." The Churches, which at first opposed teetotalism, on the ground that it was an unscriptural remedy for intemperance, have gradually come to recognise it as a powerful and indispensable ally, and it is believed that from 50 to 80 per cent. of the Nonconformist ministers in Great Britain are now abstainers, whilst many bishops and clergy of the National Church are to be found in the foremost ranks of earnest temperance reformers. Instruction in temperance matters, encouraged by School Boards and the Education Department, is now a prominent feature in many elementary schools, and the subject is also receiving constant attention in training colleges, universities, and other educational institutions. In the British army a Temperance Association was formed in 1893, under the sanction of the highest military authorities, which received in 1894 a Government grant of £500; and a similar work has been carried on for twenty years in the Royal Navy by the National Temperance League, which has a branch on board every commissioned ship in Her Majesty's service. Temperance men are now found in large numbers in Town and County Councils, School Boards, and other representative public bodies; and the extension of temperance refreshment rooms everywhere shows that the attempts to establish effective rivals to the public-house are warmly appreciated by a large proportion of the general public.

The numerous legislative efforts to diminish intemperance have not yet been attended by much success. The Beer Act of 1830, and the Refreshment Houses and Wine Licenses Act of 1860, although honestly advocated by their promoters as ameliorative measures, have tended to increase and intensify the evil. As early as the year 1834 the House of Commons appointed a Select Committee to investigate the extent, causes, and consequences of national drunkenness, and a similar Committee was appointed by the House of Lords in 1876, but their elaborate reports did not lead to any practical legislation. A Select Committee on the treatment of habitual drunkards, _ which was appointed in 1872, prepared the way for the imperfect Inebriates Act of 1879. which was slightly improved in 1888, but still requires amendment. A Departmental Committee appointed by the Home Office presented a report upon this subject in 1892, when early legislation was promised by the Government, In regard to the Sunday closing of public-houses, more progress has been made. The Scottish Act was passed in 1853; the Irish, exempting six large towns, in 1878; and the Welsh BIll became law in 1881. The Permissive Bill which was first introduced by Sir Wilfrid Lawson in 1864, was practlcally adopted by the Government in 1893, when Sir William Harcourt introduced his Liquor Control Bill, providing that public-houses with certain exceptions, may be closed by a local vote of two-thirds of the rate-payers. A great many othey measures relating to the liquor traffic have been laid before Parliament during recent years, but none of importance have been passed into law.