The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1873.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 225, 18 September 1873, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1873.

Tfie Auckland Herald at Monday lost contains an interesting article on Good Templarism, a siji-ject of ??hich we hear a good deal just now, though comparatively fe?. r are acquainted with the objects of the society, which is of American origin. Until reading the article before us we were unaware that this Order had any other p.im than that of placing some cluck ur.on the drinking habits of the present age, but it appears that it ha 3 other objects in view that are of a far more objectionable character. The Society, if. seems, is a secret one, and consequently possessed greater attractions for the curious than any ordiv.ary Teetotal Society, but it is not content with making converts to temperance. The following sketch of another object it, has in view, and the means it is prepared to adopt, to extend its operations is from the article referred to: — "It aims," cays our contemporary, "at exercising political influence, and it is here where it is likely to become mischievous, and through which, in no very long time, its power will be felt more for evil than good, and its strength greatly weakened. The society aims at putting its own members into political oflices, altogether irrespective of their litness for the position it is desired they shall be placed in. A man who is a Good Templar, or who announces himself to be a friend of the order, is to

have the united support of the body, although his other demerits may be so many 18 *.vou!d render him useless for the pubiic weal. Thia exercise of political power will most undoubtedly lead to imposlure and wrong-doing. Men will hecome members of the order, or will profess to advocate principles which it adopt", for no of her olject than to obtain the support of the general body. Men, from lime immemorial, have practised the same deception to serve selfish purposes; and raeu will be found lo do it again to tho end of timo. A 'cTitht-rhoof!, whose aim is to effect a great moral goo?, and reform a grent. social i vil, will always have a great outside .support, but i .vhen it attempt to usurp functions which should not pertain to it, (here will arise a strong and general feeling against the order. If the Good Templars arrange themselves on one side, other bodies will set themselves up against them. Their political powers will be neutralised or circumvented, and a society which wouid otherwise have proved a great blessing to many, will be denuded of its main strength, will gradually weaken and decay, until in no great length of time it will crumble to pieces," We cordially agree with the above remake, and if it be as stated, that political power is that at which the Good Templars aim, we most sincerely trust that it may be very long ere their particular creed finds fnvor in the eyes of the people of New Zealand.