Wendell Phillips, Theodore C. Pease, Speeches, Lectures and Letters of Wendell Phillips: Volume 2

6. That what is needed to unite sensible men in a movement sure to succeed, is a license system recognizing the distinction between moderation and excess, between harmless wines, and beer and strong drink. Such a system, “free from taint of prejudice, and instinct with practical wisdom, will establish order and peace, and save us from a moral slough.”

The looseness of these statements is noticeable. Dr. Crosby says, “The Total-abstinence system is contrary to revealed religion.”

What is the “Total-abstinence system” ? It is abstaining from intoxicating drink ourselves, and agreeing with others to do so. How is this contrary to revealed religion? Can any one cite a text in the Bible or a principle laid down there which forbids it? Of course not; no one pretends that he can. But Dr. Crosby's argument is, that Jesus drank intoxicating wine and allowed it to others. There is no proof that he ever did drink intoxicating wine. But let that pass, and suppose, for the sake of the argument, that he did. What then? To do what Jesus never did, or to refuse to do what he did, are such acts necessarily “contrary to revealed religion” ? Let us see.

Jesus rode upon an “ass and a colt, the foal of an ass.” We find it convenient to use railways. Are they “contrary to revealed religion” ? Jesus never married, neither did most of his apostles. Is marriage, therefore, “contrary to revealed religion” ? Jesus allowed a husband to put away his wife if she had committed adultery, he himself being judge and executioner. We forbid him to do it, and make him submit to jury trial and a judge's decision. Are such divorce laws, therefore, “contrary to revealed religion” ? Jesus said to the person guilty of adultery: “Go and sin no more.” We send such sinners to the State prison. Are our laws punishing