JUDGE KENNY ON GOOD TEMPLASISM.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 406, 7 November 1874, Page 6

JUDGE KENNY ON GOOD TEMPLASISM.

At a Good Templars soriee held at New Plymouth the other day, Judge K>nny presided, and spoke * a follows : — Ma ay sound arguments could be adduced in favour of the Order, the introduction of which into this Province, twelve months since, they Had that evening met together to celebrate. Indeed the topics were so numerous 1 " that it was not easy to be brief, and some of them so trite that it was not easy to_ be interesting. Many a man in that room felt, better in pocket, in health and reputation — spiritually and physically in every, sense more of a man than, he did this, time last year. And many a wife," and mother," and sister, must be there too who knew that, as regards one futile source of human suffering, the days of her mo«ning were accomplished. Along with the great many and sterling ' virtues which adorned the English-speaking race, there stood one hideous viee — the vice of driinkeness. It did not matter what rate of wages was obtained by j workmen, or what was done in order to benefit the people, if they still persisted in taking alcoholic liquors. The great weakness of the English people — and in using the term' English he would have ifc undei'Stood that he included the Irish and Scotch — was the proncness to indulge in intoxicating liquors but he did not think that the evil could be eradicated by legislative interference, He agreed in going as far as the Permissive Bill, passed last session, went, bnt no further. Public- ! houses existed for the convenience of the public, but not for the proprietors, and if they are not wanted in a par- i ticular locality they ought to be shut up. But he did not think that legislation, having for its object the absolute prohibition of the sale of intoxicating, liquors, was either wise or fair. Not wise, for such a law could not be en- ; forced — not fair, because it was an unwarrantable interfei'ence.with thelib rrty of individuals, aa Mr. Stuart Mill demonstrated. He maintained this, because it was the sentiment of a large number of Good Templars. They did not wish 'to force people by legislation to become abstainers, but to convince them individually, by fair, straightforward arguments, of their folly. Ifc was a custom that had made these drinking habits so prevalent, and to custom, or he would rather say fashion, he would prefer to look for their abolition. Tsob only is the en«my with whom we have to contend crafty, insidious, and powerful, but the truly astonishing ignorance of even well educated people is a formidable obstacle whilst the' inveterate hostility of those who have money invested in the trade is greatly to be dreaded. These things may impede our progress, but let ub not -be disheartened.. Delusion may triumph, but for a day. The good cau'fee— the good old cause of total abstinence — vanquished or victorious insulted or triumphant — will be still the; good old cause with us. We will to ! 'the . last maintain inviolate our fidelity to those principles which, though they may be borne down for a time by senseless clamour, ' are yet strong with the strength, and immortal with the immortality of tetjth, and' which, however, they maybe misunderstood or misrepresented now, ' will assuredly, find justice and acceptance in the cod,