The primitive Republican., 1852-07-08
From the Southern Parlor Magazine.
OPIUM, COLERIDGE & DE QUINCEI

THE facts which, from time, to time are
brought to ghtrespecting the use of Opium
must surprise all men. When we consider the
trade carried on with Turkey and China,
and the single circumstance that 100000
pounds are annually exported from the Gan
ges, we are apt to inquire, whence comes
the demand and who are the consumers It
is noiseess traffic, no outcry is raised no
crusades are preached. The article is dis
tributed among the drug shops, and opium
venders of all countries It is bought and
paid for without remarks or surprise. The
Turk puts it in his pipe, as matter of course.
1 The Asiatic devours large masses, with less
daintiness than he eats his rice. This does
not surprise us. We expect that Chinese
and Hindoos and Turks will continue to eat
opium, so long as the plant from which it is
obtained continues to grow upon their soils.
But D1Qt The tie evil does not stop there. 1t turks
in the homes of Christian Europe and Amer
ica-and with "pestilental breath," ," blights
domestic happiness, and the peace Of noble
hearts.
1t seems like truism, to say that opium
= has been the occasion of much misery. But
o yet, no form of intemperance seems to be
| SO fascinating, subtle, and resistless. TEN
q perance societies have been formed, or are
( being formed, in well nigh every city Of thC
q land. Penal statutes are enacted agains
: the use of alcoholic drinks Yet, in the We
ry family circle of the Reformer, enters
more insiduous evil, and greater curse
: No warnings are preached against the us
. of opium; no societies are instituted for tn
u reformation of its victims. True, we hav
io the Confessions Of an Opium Eater" an
we have dark hints of some great minC
le struggling against the fetters which enehai
be the soul. But even these are "darkly beat
tiful," and have such gleamings and glin
q merings of celestial rays, and worlds of beal
~ ty, that they fascinate rather than terri
= us. These tell us of vast abyss in WhiC
they have fallen-but it seems not an aby
r of utter darkness but where night mingl,
- with day; where beautiful exotics bloom
80 80 mong poisonous herbs; and strange brig
or omr. lights shine amid deadly vapors.
nv The fascinating powers Of opium are sue
- that few who are tempted to its use, are alb
- efectually to break away frGin its infuenc
of The serpent did notmore eFectually twil
NJ its tortuous folds around the struggling La
- com. Taken at first, sometimes to allevia
% bodily anguish, sometimes to produce me
NJ tai oblivion, and not unfrequently for its j
H. toxicating effects many have not the DO
1re er to abandon it, before it becomes cons
q ming necessity.
md Those eat now-who never ate before,.
Those who always ate now eat the more.n
It becomes panacea for all bodily PAL
and mental anguish; for the common ills
life, and the sorrows of diseased imagir
ton. The poor take it-that they m
dream of riches. The rich take it, to Fl
In its narcotic spells, an excitement which
I'd, dolence and luxury cannot yield.
ion For the scholar and the student, opir
rife has many charms. To them vivid ina
leir nation is of great value, and dreams a
,ud bright visions assume "a local habitation a
Ind name" All men know the ancient ada
us IN Uino Ueritas-but the truth In opium
did Of another sort. Wine shows mans II
her character and nature, whether it softens b
ue, to maudhn weakness, or excites him to era
axe passion. Opium plays no such freaks.
for carries its victim along gently end careful
on, conducts him to some gorgeous scene, q
yes says, 1lO here IS that s hich thou seekesl
ase Instead Of dissipating, i seems to intensi
md his faculties, and concentrate bis energi
us The scholar IA bis quiet study, IS yearni
Be for release from carping cares that q
Oodl steal n. md bring back 70 earth bis he.
vifel onward lights. He finds bis spirit-loneir
in- led, and he IS Wearied with vain eIIo
id % be Gee. Ihen, peFchanee % soIne stfan