The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-07-25
:. n. BRADLEY, Secretary.
FOR THE INDEPENDENT rRESs.

FOR THE INDEPENDENT PRESS.
"Eut wine which has undergone fcrmcn-
talon," remarks \ temperance writer, "con-
tans alcohol-alcohol is poison, and rs
such should be avoided" Alcohol, per Sc,
is MOI "poison," rs this writer would have
ii, and because excessive indulgence produ-
ces intoxication, mania potu, delirium
trcmcns, is no reason for us not to use it "mud-
crately." The wisdom consists in the mod
crate use. Alcohol was first introduced in
to Europe by thc Arabs aud the Alchcmiss
together, will, the art of distllation, early
in the middle ages and when Arabic or
Saraccn civilization was ahead Of that Of
Europe. The name that the Italians gave
to alcohol is ocquo eta the French, eou
dc rie, that is water of life and the Sranard
called it aqua ortlicnfr, warming water.
The very popular names show what they
consider it to be, and not a poison. When
first introduced was sold many hundred
dollars for the smallest quantity, SO great
was lis many powerful virtues, and it was
supposed that this alcohol might he the
elixir Of lie, while wine was the milk of
old age.
Alcohol, like food generally, is a stinu-
liant, because it also stimulates or 1uckcns
the vital functions; though lis effects arc
readily felt on the circulation and rcspira-
ton, still its action Oh the system is more
cvancscent than food; i: is sooner felt and
sooner oyer because it is tliifusivc stimn-
liant ether is still more so. The respira-
tory organs consume these alcoholic stimu-
lants nearly entirely, hence the breath of
the man that indulges in them is immcdi-
atcly affected, and the smell oc the alcohol
is distinctly perceived.
The writer does not understand the value
Of the word "stimulant," when lie says, that
vegetables, such as corn generally, is not n
stimnant. lie says "The vegetable pro-
ductions, wheat, corn, (maize,) rye, the
grape, cane, &c. cannot be dcnominatcd
stimuants. They are not at all SO in the
strict sense of the term. When used mod
erately, as. they came from TIE hand of the
creator, they are innocent and useful, prop
erly speaking, producing no stimulating ef
feet" So say / about the use of wine, or
alcohol, when taken "moderately," is very
useful, "propcrly speaking" producing no
evil consequences. That is the wisdom !:
moderation in all things! and will, it no indi-
gcstion, no intoxication. In moderation
we have almost tho elixir of life and the
philosophers stone for man may be
even righteous over much"
But do We use these grains, wheat, maize,
DC, just SO now, without any preparation at
alla DO they not all undergo fermenta-
tion in the process Of making bread and
does not this partial saccl,arinc fermenta-
ton generate or develore alcohol in the
very bread we eat9 Certainly it does.
Then, there is m end of the thoughtess
argument of the Sons Of Temperance; and
Of THEN, objection to drinking wine because
fermented, and refusing to drink it because
alcohol has been developed in the act Of
fermentation. Away with all such pi,irul
nonsense and absurd ideas; for, to be con-
sistent, they must reject all ferinentcd bread.
(the best Of all kinds,) and must betake
themselves to the unlcaven bread of the
jews, or 90 10 grass, or MUNICH ncorns and
corn, just as "tlley come from the hnnd Of
the Creator" '"f2H. s.'' SO .ih .."@i |+.
Bread with alcohol and all nutritious
substances, be they Of vegetable or animal
origin, physiologically speaking, are stimu-
lamts; fot,tl'ey support life, and stimulate
it into action. II is therefore ridiculous to
|say that the grains just mentioned are not
stimulants, Man IS, physically, speaking,
but a bundle of nerves, requiring stimuants
Of every kind, solids and, liquids, to keep
fthe vital fpfnciple in motion, and it is ex-
tremely absurd to assert that man can ex-
ist without stimdlants. III. Brown Of Ed
ingburg and his school, would teach to all