Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-06-18
TO THE EpIToHs OF TIE WHtG.
POWERS OF TOBACCO.

POWERS OF TOBACCO.
Gentlemen-lu my last, have insisted upon 1t,
that tobacco may be made in degree, an innocent
succedanum for all Intoxicating drinks, and here the
may be said n relation to ooiuin. Us the latter
rs often employed to produce the pleasurabe sensa-
items which derived from the use OF the former
Tobacco though nearly allied 20 opium, i'll ofits
leading properties, differs evidently from, il i'll its u-
mate effects upon the mind and constitution. Like
opium, it is endowed with strong narcotic principle,
and from this power, associated With peculiar stim
ulaing quality, flow all its destinations Opium, like
tobacco, has often been employed u mental stimu
lus but unlike tobacco, while it capable OF cleva
ting and expanding the intellectual faculties, it is al
so able 20 orerwhetm the most towering mind, aud
lay it in ruins!
Next to ardent spirits, there caunot be moro dan
scrous stimuant. From its delightful effects small
quantities upon some persons, they have been be-
guiled into all habtua use OF opium, usti they have
been brought completely under it's influence us
defy every effort to break the speIl-ence ultimate
ruin OF all the energies of mind and body, inducing
premature oldagc and state of wre,chedness, hor
ribc in the last degree.-Not with tobacco altho'
on unqualified use of that article leads, and IN
frequently has led, to highly deleerious consequences
but the Worst results have presented specta
les so appalling to the eye OF humanity aud morality,
have the unfortunate cases Of Intemperance from
OPIUM once knew gentleman OF the profession
OF medicine, who naturally possessed lofty, beautiful
tuien,s but who, IN order to give them greater ex
pansion aud freer play, constantly resored tn opium,
while he was engaged in writing upon subjects of
science, and although he wrote in style of almost
inmitable grandeur and dignity, the streams of his
line mind had to ccass flowing at an untlmely period
OF life, and he HIMSELF finally fell early sacrifice to
tho charms Of opium.
The most striking dee,erous effects resulting FROM
the use of tobacco, have been Displayed I'm the mode
of using 1t the teeth by the ladies.-Empoyiug it
in the first ms lance, as dentrce to beautify the
teeth they mper cepbly acquire relish for the taste
of snuff, which, acting first locally the nerves of
the mouth, imparts its e.illiratiug influence to the
brain itself, and renders it agreeable as induce
prouse of l--and at length reposing with it In
the mouth, it is conveyed to the stomach as well as
absorbed from the internal surface of the mouth aud
fauces greatly dcrnngng the functions ufthe
and rnnng the compleXion.-Afer gradual intro
ducton of the use OF snuff IN the way related, the
ladies' become SO enchanted with its effects, that they
voluntarily ply their mouths with it, and finally swal-
low immense Quantities of thence variety of con
stitutiona disorders, and salowness of the skin are
the never failing consequenccs-und where the lily
q he rose were harmoniouSly ana beautifully bleu-
ded IN the complexion of the countcnance, there
main no longer any traces ut their fresh aud be-
Wltching bloom. The may be said of those who
are the subjects of tight acing only that in their
case, there IS represented the white, instead of the
yellow lily. of which last, the color of snuff cat
the OF this article, lead too often 10 serious con-
sequences.yet hey not to be compared to the ef
iects resulting from the perncious practice of tight
lacing, which is shaving umong the females as many
,chishey is among the males. The only efiectua
plan that can be adopted to suppress this deforrrnn
aud detcstable fashion, will be the introduction
Iot another and saiutary one, by the proni-
ueDt and leading females in the higher circles
OF society. The ladies' greatly mistaken if they
think this fashion is calculated to command the ADM
ration OF the generality of men of and renec-
tion;-tar othcrwsc-as there are few that admire
their personal Charms attractions, and lueLheir
health. who do not lament and prescribe it TO re
turn from this seeming depression the main subject
IN hand. am led 10 the irresistible conclusion that
tobacco, notwithstanding the abuses made of it. is IN
general way, the mos: Innocent agent which it i.
fashionable TO employ an antidete to the cares oil
life and as stimulus to the mind les tendency is
to soothe our SORROWS to suspend dsspnte the re
collection OF our Uosfostcnes invite cpposure and
resignation amidst tronbcs and TO urge the fac
ues OF our ninds to Ipore brilliant and power lll
efforts.
rerssns Who use tobacco in rational way, attain
as long life as any others, is eXemplifcd in many
living instances at this day--and among Others nv
venerable old friend Doctor Wallace, of Warrenton
VA has recently Informed Of one n the ad, dining
coanty OF Paugnier, III a man who has arrived at the
age OF 3d. who has been IN the habit of using tobac-
co from early youth. And among the numerous in
stances OF longevity, from very REMOTE periods up to
the present, few will be found who have not employed
tobacco as luxury or mental stimulus, in some
node or other. Frederick the Great, King of Prus-
Ella, who not only distinguished for the spleudor
OF his military achievements but for his devotion to
literary pursuits, made proiuse Of snuff, and
lived 10 the advanced age OF rs years. [ will close
this communication by remarl;ing that though there
are many other physical that upon the intel
lectnal faculties, yet have general an appi-
cation to them, the different forms of using tobac-
CO. if we except alcoholic liquors and opium, which
We have seen exert the most unfriendIy influence
when used IN excess, upon the morals of society,
while tobacco in no case intiarne the pas.
sions or corrupt the principles of mar kind.
am WIN sentiments OF the highest respect your
ooedient servant, L. P. HEREFORD.
Hay MARKET, Va. June 9Th, 1880.
From the Fredericksburg Arena of Joue Is.
Murder !-On Saturday last, Thomas Griffin
Vhornton, Sheriff of Caroline County, was murder
ed The body was found by Mr. Lawrence of Spring
Harden. 1t seems that be vas despatched by two