Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-05-04
SHALL WE HAVE THE MAINE LAW?

Is it right TO prohibit the safe of poisonous
substance, which has been the cause of the
death of 100000 people every year, and three
quarters of all the crime in the country! But
it is not poisonous say some. How shall we
know poison when there is any dispute about
it? The surest way is by its effects. Then al
cohol is the most monstrous poison that has ev-
er existed. 1t deadens, and maddens, and infu-
rates its victim, and then destroys him. 1t
takes hope, and peace, and gladness from his fam
lily. Look at that thin, pale, and yet beautiful
and intellectual woman at the midnight hour,
watching for her drunken husband. Hark, he
comes; hear that blow, and that heavy fall
He has struck her to the ground Is it not a
poison! But hear what physicians say -
A number Of years ago some forty-five physi-
clans of the city of Cincinnati recorded the fol-
lowing testimony -" Ardent spirits is not only
unnecessary, but absolutely injurious in healthy
state of the system. 1t produces many, and ag-
gravates most of the diseases to which the hu-
man frame is liable. 1t is equally poisonous
with arsenic, operating sometimes more slowly,
but with equal certainty"
Again: Seventy-6ve physicians of Boston
give similar testimony, in the following lam
guage -" Men in health are never benefited by
the use of ardent spirits on the contrary, the
use of it is frequent cause Of disease and DEATH;
and often renders such diseases as arise from
other causes more difficult Of cure, and more fa-
tai in the termination"
The fact is, this point has been established
long since by the highest testimony; and were
it not that many who will probably read these ar
tcles have never seen or read that testimony, it
would be entirely unnecessary to refer to it
again. If the question be proposed, " How can
these things BEG" We answer, by quoting a
short extract from an excellent writer
awe have seen (says the writer, after giving
detailed statement of the effects of liquor up
on the system) how it treats the stomach, SWELL
ing its ten thousand little blood vessels to ma
ny times their proper size, infaming, thickening,
and ulcerating its coats and changing its delicate
reddish hue into blackness. When carried into
the blood, it goes to one group Of vessels, and
they reject ito another and they reject it. If
they can prevent it, they will not suffer it even
to stop. 1t is hurried on from organ to organ,
marking its course with irregularty of action,
and disturbance Of function, till, having passed
around the body, it has been rejected by ALL
Nor is this all while they tight against it, it i'm
pedes their progress, or goads them on to mad
ness. Having to labor amidst the fire and fumes
of an irritating poisonous foe, they become irri-
tated ard poisoned; their sensibilites are blunt
ed their energies crippled, and they cannot do
their proper work. Those of the body which
are dependent on them for support are not sup
piled, and they complain. The organs retort
the harmony of the system is interrupted; SYM
pathy between the parts is weakened, and then
destroyed; confusion ensues, and every evil
work. In their blind Intoxicating phrenzy they
bite and devour one another, and so are consul
med one of another"