Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-03-04
THE CLERGY AND TOBACCO.
AN APPEAL OF REV. MR.. TRASH TO CLER
GYMEN OF EVERY ORDER.

=
theme to which l have devoted considera-
bic attention.; refer to Tobacco, as used in
fashionable forms all over our land
believe this subject has special claims on
your consideration, as ministers of Christ,
who professedly minister for the salvation of
men, whom have not doubt this narcot
lie is destroying upon broad and fearful
scale. believe the evidence is rnournfullv
conclusive, that it is weaving Deaths wind
ing sheet around the souls of multitudes, of
multitudes Of young men, in a special sense.
| shall present mere outline of thought,
which | should be glad to fill up and enlarge
upon, if necessary, and if breyity were not SO
desirable.
Respecting the Cultivation, Commerce and
Cost of Tobacco, rely on statistics Of Mac
gregor, and on the report of the Secretary of
the Treasury, for the year 1851.
We export tobacco to % nations or prov
inces Of the earth; we import it from 2l.-
The value of our experts is S9,2l9,251.-
The value of imports (cigars only $500
SD. We cultivate tobacco in % of the
States and Territories of the Union; the cul-
tiyaton is on rapid increase. In 1881 we
raised 90, 522, 494 lbs National consump-
ton, l0O,OOO,OOO. Cost to the consumers,
$2OOOO,OOO. New York city pays $4,000
a day for cigars; $500 for bread
On the authority of DR.. Coles would add
the American Church annually eXpends
$5,O0O,O00 on this vile narcotic, and less
than 100000 on benevolent objects or for
the conversion Of the world.
In 1850 we employed 100000 men in
the cultivation and manufacture of tobacco,
and many more at the present time.
Respecting the nature and effects Of tobac-
co, | rely chiefly on the testimony of chem
lists and physicians of Europe, and i'll our
own land. rcpose some confidence, more
over, in what l have seen, heard and
know.
The use of tobacco clearly constitutes
violation of the laws of life. Physiologcally
and philosophically considered the use of it
is violation of physical, intellectual and mo
raj life
With respect to its action on the body, it
evidently Injuries the teeth, the voice and the
breath. 1t squanders the liquids OF life, and
thereby brings on billiousness, a sunken
cheek, cadaverous eye, discolored skin, de-
bility, trembling joints, and has power enough
to load the system from crown to foot with
disease. In the estimation of such authori-
ties as Rush, Waterhouse, Twtchel and 9TH
ers, it often leads to apoplexy, epilepsy, pal
sy, heart complaints, cancers and sudden
deaths. Respectable physicians have said
that not less than some twenty thousand an
nually die amongst us by the use Of this mar
cotic
1t Injuries the mind This it does if We
understand the matter; /, by its intense &c
tivity and insiduous power as poison; 2,
by its direct bearing on the nervous arrange
ment. In other words, mind is connected
with nerves-nerves are brought into init
mate connection with this narcotic and are
excited and exasperated by its power; and
hence mind is 50 disturbed, pressed and urg
ed onward beyond what is natural or endu-
rable, that it often breaks down, as an over
driven animal, or an over driven engine breaks
down upon the road. The evils inflicted are
variously developed. Sometimes they appear
in the forms of a treacherous memory, cloud
ed perceptions, weak judgement, cowardlce,
rritability, idiocy and delirum; and some
times in the mournful overthrow and eclipse
Oh TttSOH anu OulII0ii iNA'A'
for the insane far and near, eloluently sound
out notes of alarm respecting its disastrous
action on intellect.
Tobacco injuries the soul. This it does
both directly and indirectly. ]. 1t is an in
toxicating, mortal deadly drug; and, rs such,
it may Supply the moral scnsibilities, and
shroud the soul in the slumbers of spiritual
apathy, very much as this is done by alcho-
hol and opium. The Patagonians, it is said,
habtually get drunk on Tobacco. Church
es in the Sandwich Islands discipline mem
bers for getting drunk on tobacco; and there
is not a doubt but that by dragging the
soul, it neutraizes the influence of the Cos
pei upon vast multitudes especially the
young.
1t Injuries indirectly. 1t demoralizcs in
manifold ways 1t is VIGOROUSLY an ally Of
alchohol. 1t wastes time, property, health
and strength, and becomes an idol to ten thou
sand votaries, and often assumes that place
in the soul which belongs to God only.
In view of this evil presented in SO brief
a manner, permit me to ask, what can be
done? This inquiry, | apprehends is as fit
ly propOunded to yOu my Brethren, as to any
body of men on the globe.
Your attainments, your profession and
standing give weight to all You say and do;
your post is at the very fountains OF influence,
YOU shape public morals and maners, and to
YOU are committed, in an eminent sense, the
destinies of millions of rising youth. If
there is power anywhere, it is with you.--
If there is responsibility anywhere, it is with
vCu.-and, therefore, if there Is duty any
where, it is with you. Hence, repeat the
inquiry, what can be done? 1t has been
said, when we know not what to do,
we should not do we know not what"
Happily, we do, or may know, what to do
touching the evil before us.
That we may meet the point clearly and
at once, remark that We wish for no Leg
islaton touching this abomination. There
are many reasons for this. though We will
name but one, viz: there is little or no CON
science or moral sensibility respecting it, in
State or Church, that would sustain Legisla-
ton, if obtained; and to legislate in such a
case, is ike building upon sand or airy moth