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244 METHODS OF SOCIAL REFORM.
the supporters reduced to their earlier amount, being almost
exactly the mmo in 1875 as in 1869, and in 1874 actually
twelve less, while the opponents of the Bill have presented
themselves in littlo loss than double their former numbers.
If an unprejudiccd statistician or meteorologist, accustomed
to tho examination of varying phenomena, were to osamine
theso numbers, he would unquestionably conclude that the
Alliance was D phenomonon which had passed its maximum,
and was on tho wane. For nearly twenty-three years the
Allianco has nlwnys been making progress according to the
stnternmts of its om11 organs, and yet,, botwecn 1871 and
137‘:3, wo find its supporters in I’arliamcnt reduced by 30 per
cent., and its opponents increased by 90 per cent. Tho last
throo divisions, and cspccially the last of all, evince a fixed
doterminntion on t’hc part of tho vast majority of the House
not to pass the 13il1, and not to allow any encouragement for
tho hope that it ever will bo passed. Having regard to tho
hopeless and obstruetivo position of the Alliance, I may
ventnro to ospress a hopo that the next division will even
mom unequivocally show the opinion of the House upon the
snbjoct.
T-I *
It may bo said in favour of tho Allianco that, even if its
Bill novcr bo passed, tllc efforts made to pass it enlist the
intorests of many persons in the temperance cause, and lead to
tho passing of minor restrictions on the liquor t,rade. The
Alliance has, no doubt, mado itself the head and front of the
tomperanco bodics generally; it is a rallying point for all who
aro oarnostly dosirous of remedying the main cause of evil in
the country. Nembcrs of Parliament, and even Governments
which will not actually vote for the Permissive Bill wilI yet,
it may be urged, be induced to concede important measares
against the publicans, and the publicans on their part will the
more readily accept legislation in fear of the power of so
formidable a body as the Alliance. But it is quite a question
to my mind whether the agitation kept up by the Alliance
does not act in just the opposite manner.