The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-11-22
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
J. HrRTr, ". D. HEsKLr Miss. H. P. HIsxLEY
Editoys,
Address on the Utility of Tobacco,
Delivered 5y NJ. c. STEVENS. before the Woyne
Counfy Teachers association, at Rich
mond. 10th mo. 9Th, 1855.
PUBLISHED By ORDER or TIE ASSOCIATION.

IL is I2vorite notion with many, and trust
It is correct one, that God. has created moth
ing n vain. If this is so, of course tobacco
must have some use; and we shall be well en-
ployed in finding out what it is. especially if
We can induce people TO appreciate the use for
VI ch ]. was intended.
!. VIII be necessary, IN the first place, to
eliminate from the list Of uses, those to which
it IS enormously applied. Let US, for mo-
nent, consider its nature. 1t is a well ascer-
tanned fact that tobocco is one of the most ac
tive vegetable poisons we have. single
drop Of the oil Of it, is su hcient TO Kill full
grown cat. Now it is well known that this
animal is very tenacious Of life. have known
them to endure very severe blows on the head
without apparent injury. Experiments have
been tried upon other animals besides cats,
al go to show that tobacco is very active
poison. Now let Us consider what its effect
j, on the human system when used for sInok-
ing and chewing. As it is poison and also
very dsagreeabe 70 the unperverted taste, 1t
has al first 70 be used in small quantities. Az
ter time the system becomes hardened TO it
and the amount may be increased without I'm
mediate fatal consequences. And 1t IS also
said by those who have tried the experiment.
that tie taste viii at last become 50 perverted
ths. X is lucious nlorsel.
have said that after the system becomes
hardened to it, the amount may be increased.
Now | am confident that this hardening pro-
cess is very injurious; for the nerves must
become deadened by it. and many of the
finer feelings of our nature are thus biunted
The consequence j. that in time the nervous
system becomes completely dersnged, the
hand tremulous, and the individual finds him
self irritable and peevish. Now appe
Il for this vile weed is wholly artificial. we
conclude it never was made to chew use in
any way As luxury.
Perhaps the association will indulge me in
offering few reflections upon its use in this
manner. Smoking and chewing have become
70 common that have about come to the con-
clusion that the evils arising therefrom are
greater than those arising from the Of in
toxicating drinks.
And why is it that so many become en-
shaved 10 it? can find no reason except that
boys usually think it is smart to be squirting
tobacco saturated saliva about on the foorl
They seem to think it will make men Of them
to puff cigar But III this they mista-
ken. For in whatever form it is used, the
habit is filthy one, besides being in direct
violation Of all the instincts of animal life
a person with clean mouth revots at the
idea OF making it a receptacle for the black and
filthy stuff. And even should we take per.
son thus addicted and cleanse his mouth, and
then place him in the society of those who
use it, he will be very likely to think himself
in very filthy company. 1t is not the taste
alore that revolts; the eye turns from it in
disgust, and SO also with the unaccustomed
nasal sense. But how many there are who
sern to think tina; every one they meet can
endure their perfumery. few days ago
while riding in the cars | was saluted with
z squirt Of saliva. which by its dalk color in
laced me to believe II was strongly impreg
1TFed with tobacco. This about as much
I wished To edure, but 10 cap the climax.
.grre sat very polite gentleman by the stove
Woe would not do so vile act to spit on
.le floor, bu: ne kept depositing large quaint
t.e5 on The stove. Now raw tobacco juice is
cs much as | wish to endure, but when we
come TO cook it. the odor is altogether too
savory for my olfactores.
l. is frequently the case that ladies' get their
six dresses despatched with tobacco juice
Ie. here are very many ladies who say they
wiling for the gentlemen to smoke and
chew because it is pleasure to them. Per-
laps these ladies vill be little jealous when
they are informed that know of gentlemen
WHO say they take more comfort with their CT.
CARS than they do in the society of their icires.
Now l believe if the ladies were to say that
they would not associate with those who
smoke and chew, we should very soon find
this article drug in markets; but so long
IL,
be used. and they may expect to be spit upon
now and then, and also be obliged when rid
ing in our railroad cars to endure the odor of
cooked tobacco juice.
Tobacco is carried in circulation through the
system and exudes from the pores Of the skin,
so that the bed linen of the immoderate user I
becomes scented and even colored with it.
IL is said that canibals detect the tobacco user
by the flavor of the flesh, and they throw it
aside worthless. Should the hog become /
addicted to its use, Il have a better opinion of /
this animal, and II is q SANDER on his fair name /
30 make sucha superstition his carcass would (
lie neglected. Even the most devoted tobac-
80 user would say, I'D rather be excused I
from: the ssvory dish
Since tiicn tobacco is carried in the circu- I
lsiion through the system and manifests itself I
in the bed linen, we naturally conclude that
person thus addicted must be a gery agreeaH
bcd-,ellow And then his breath, how much
young lady must admire its perfume! Again,
how nice j. looks 10 see young msn with its
golden juice streaming down the corners Of I
his mouth How nice it looks 10 see young
man prepsre fer dinner by taking from his
mouth large guid. and safely deposit it in
bis vest pocket, and when. dinner is over see
him hunt up the precious morsel and replace
/. IN his mouth, and subject il to a second
grinding How nice it looks 10 see = Young
man ejecting from his mouth the dark colored
juice, which falling by his side soon comes
floating his chairl
These are but few Of the beauties of tobac- +
co using, but il seems to me they are enough /.
TO convince any one of the improprietiss Of its
use. Could by the use of language convince
the whole universe Of this, and cause its use
TO be abandoned, | should feel that was do
ing an act more to be applauded than that done
by Washington in achieving the independence
OF our country. To all addicted to its use,
would say: leave off at once. snow is the