Bishop Temple on the permissive bill / speech of the Right Reverend Lord Bishop of Exeter as chairman of a public meeting in behalf of the Permissive Prohibitory Liquor Bill, in the New Vicoria Hall, Exeter, June 22nd, 1870.

  • Temple, Frederick, 1821-1902.
Date:
[1870?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Bishop Temple on the permissive bill / speech of the Right Reverend Lord Bishop of Exeter as chairman of a public meeting in behalf of the Permissive Prohibitory Liquor Bill, in the New Vicoria Hall, Exeter, June 22nd, 1870. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    BISHOP TEMPLE OH THE PERMISSIVE RILL. [Speech of the Right Reverend Lord Bishop op Exeter as Chairman of a Public Meeting in behalf of the Permissive Prohibitory Liquor Bill, in the New Victoria Hall> Exeter, June 22nd, 1870.] The Bishop, on entering the hall, and also on rising to address the meeting, was received with loud applause. He said : Ladies and gentlemen, the purpose of this meeting is to support in a greater or less degree the bill which has been presented to Parliament by Sir Wilfrid Lawson, and which is generally known by the name of the Permissive Bill. (Hear, hear.) I say in a greater or less degree, because at this stage of the movement we are really not concerned with the details of the measure ; we do not consider that all those who support Sir Wilfrid Lawson in his present attempt—nor all those who petition in favour of the bill—are therefore of necessity committed to every detail that is contained in it; but rather we wish to receive the support, not only of those who are enthusiastically in favour of the bill as it stands, but of those also who in many respects hold themselves to be still neutral—(hear, hear)— and yet feel that something must be done—(applause)—in order to remove one of the greatest evils that now press on the country—- (applause)—and who feel that whatever else may be said for or against this bill of Sir Wilfrid Lawson’s, yet this, at any rate, is the only pro¬ posal that is now before us which distinctly aims at the object to be attained—(hear, hear)—and that, therefore, in supporting it we do not mean to say that we approve of every single detail that is contained in it, but we do approve of its great object—(cheers)—and as things now stand no alternative measure is put before us for consideration. (Hear, hear.) And I say this emphatically on this occasion, because I myself have always in this matter held what may be considered as, in some degree, a neutral attitude. (Hear, hear.) I am not, and I have always publicly stated that I am not, a teetotaler. (Hear.) I have not even joined the Alliance, although, of course, I might have done so without becoming a teetotaler; but I thought it better not to do so, chiefly because I believed I could further the great object more effectually— (applause)—by standing quite apart—(cheers)—and by holding myself uncommitted to any particular course. (Hear, hear.) And at such a time as this I think it of very great importance that we should endeavour to obtain the support of all those who hold a neutral attitude such as I have described. (Hear, hear.) In a country like England, where everything has to be discussed between those who are for and those who are against, let those who are for push their arguments as far as they, possibly can, and let those who are against give what answers they are able to make. (Hear, hear.) Let those who do not choose distinctly to pledge themselves to either side be fair judges of the arguments adduced -—(hear, hear)—and when they see arguments on one side distinctly preponderate, let them, while they still retain their neutral attitude.