274 



The Grape Cnlturist. 



TEMPERANCE vs. TOTAL ABSTINENCE. 



Walla Walla, W. T., Aug. 27, 1870, 



Dear IIusmann : 



I propose at this time to discuss our 

 interests in and with the Grai'E Cul- 

 TURiST. As one of the great family of 

 grape growers, I look upon this publi- 

 <;ation as one peculiarly our own. Its 

 sanctum is our fireside. Wiierever it 

 is real is our famil}- circle. Its con- 

 tents are our food. Its lessons are lor 

 our benefit, and with its patrons I feel 

 that there is a bond of brotherhood, 

 and its fair fame as sacred as m}^ own. 

 With these expressions of my feelings, 

 I will now express my opinion in re- 

 gard to what I deem its proper avoca- 

 tion, and what not. To meddle in 

 politics^ except where legislation affects 

 our interests as grape growers, would 

 of course not be permitted. To dis- 

 cuss the prospects of the wheat crop 

 is out of its province. And so with 

 all other subjects not connected with 

 the one bare interest of grape culture. 

 These rules you laid down as funda- 

 mental at the outset. Now I wish to 

 ask, in all kindness : Has not your cor- 

 respondent at Nauvoo, Ills., led you 

 xistray in his very lengthy articles on 

 the " Coming Man," &c. I don't wish 

 to discuss this question, for I deem the 

 question of temperance to be one of 

 those subjects, which are not connected 

 with Grape Culture. And if I should 

 admit (which I am willing to do) that 

 we are acting a part in this great sub- 

 ject, I am far from connecting myself 

 with the champions of drunkenness. As 

 one of tlie famih' of Grape Culturists, 

 I demur from the principles of your 

 ■correspondent. Dr. Ampelos. 



I cannot consent to stigmatize that 

 great and intelligent class of reformers 

 who have organized under various 

 names against intemperance, as jack- 

 asses. (See Grape Culturist, page 

 213, second column.) I claim that we 

 are also doing a good work, and are 

 with them, not against them, and Dr. 

 Ampelos mistakes the mission of wine 

 in the world, if he places it as one of 

 the beverages, causing what we will all 

 admit to be the greatest evil, intempe- 

 rance. I claim that the Dr. in his at- 

 tacks upon temperance organizations 

 arraigns " us " as the champions of in- 

 temperance. I deny the position, and 

 will here assert, that, if I thought that 

 the raising of grapes and the making 

 of wine would result in the making of 

 one more drunkard in the human 

 family, I would at once destroy what 

 little start I had made in the business. 

 I may be mistaken in regard to the 

 influence of pure wine, in the matter of 

 drunkenness, but God forbid that I 

 should ever do aught that would assist in 

 leading one of mj^ race to a drunkard's 

 grave. 



I say God bless those noble bands of 

 brothers, who are endeavoriag to save 

 a fellow man from the miseries of 

 intemperance, and if wine is one of the 

 auxiliaries of intemperance, I hope the}' 

 will succeed in banishing its manufac- 

 ture and sale from the land. But on 

 the other hand believing it to be a 

 saving beverage, a drink that is de- 

 signed to prevent drunkenness, I say 

 good speed the time when the whole 

 human family can drink pure, unadulte- 

 rated wine — to the exclusion of those 



