Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-11-30

The Inebriate Asylum.

amount written. or more strenuous efforts
made, by all Sects and parties, as also In
dependent Of them, than the very com
mon one Of Intemperance. From every
press, pulpit, lecture and school room IL
the land has The warning voice gone forth
against this king of evils Yet the fac,
is perfectly obvious that radical defect
exists som ewhere IN the very mids, of all
these efforts, neutralizing their most po-
tent correctives. Not that much incident
al good has not been evolved, and many
saved from the " drunkard's grave :" but
that the principle involved has not been
fully recognized, as a general thing
even among the champions of the temper
ance cause. Glorious, indeed, have been
tie fruits OF past effort in this branch of
reform. Many cherished plans have
been carried into effect which promised
Ultimate success, hut invariably, after the
hrst burst of enthusiasm, :heir impotency
has been manifest. And thus it is in all
things. Our ideal Of perfection cannot
be attained at once - only by patient and
I long-continued effort can we elevate our
selves to our Standard - and still the
goal is beyond Though many Of the
efforts in the temperance cause have en-
phaucally " failed to accomplish the de-
sired and expected end, yet from their his
tory much truth may be CLEANED, many
/ errors avoided, and the foundation laid
for more efficient and philosophical re-
form Already are we beginning 10 see
evidence of this. The establishment Of
the Inebriate Asylum, at Binghampton.
New York, we look upon as the first ra-
/ tional move in this direction, and from
what we have been able to CLEAN concern
I ing 1t, we believe it to be conducted IN
harmony with the laws Of mind - en-
4 bracing the valuable features of other
branches of temperance reform and adding
I thereto the ineslmable consideration OF
general physiological purity. The para
mount consideration there is to render the
patient capable of self government - not
/ by relying upon the " saving efficacy" Of
'he pledge, not yet by leaning upon the
crutch of favorable surroundings, or alto
gether by removing temptation - bur by
enabling him 10 become a law unto him
self, APPROACHING him for this purpose
mainly through the medium Of bis physi-
cal being. Drunkenness is a disease of
the body as we'll as the mind hereditary
as we'll as acquired and intemperance
consists not alone in the use OF iutoxicai-
/ ing beverages. We have directed our
attention almost exclusively to the great
stream Of Intemperance, endeavorlng to
arrest its onward progress. and save our
selves from the slrealened inuudaiion.
without considering the innumerabe r:v-
ulets which continually swell the food.
While we have been assiduous In our de-
nuuciations Of King Alcohol and his cab
met, gin, rum and whiskey, we have for
gotten their under officials and assistant
proselytcrs, tobacco, tea, coffee, condi-
ments, and the whole catalogue Of minor
physiological improprieties No system
Of effort can prove successful which does
not take into consideration every element
Of mind, which does not leave details aud
investigate Principles. 1t matters not
whether a given amonnt Of stimulanl IS
received into the system under tie name
Of alcohol or tea, whiskcy or tobacco, the
effect Is the same. When we see tenn
perance lecturer (as we have SEEM 60
into a corner and - finish his cigar even
at the sacrifice Of punctuality, JUS before
speaking, to say nothing OF strong cup
Of tea or coffee, we think that man is IN F.
consistent. When we see sprofessed =
minister Of God bolster up bis zeal in lis +
calling by similar stinnlahls. { as we have /
seem we conclude that he not only IS i
not "a law unto himself" but that he .
also relies upon a second prop or Staff IL /
his ministrations.
The individual is a nation, aye, an uni +
verse, 10 miniature. And so long as ve .
continue to pamper the public appetite +
with these a. lesser evils" we shall con-
tinue to manufacture drunkards il The +
most approved style" It is almost ina
possible for that person whose blood Is
made up Of these vilIianous compounds to /
resist the insidious effects II stronger /
potions and we might as well expect /
8. figs from thistIes," CT tha, an impure
fount would send forth crystal streama, as I
that the thoughts Of such can be truly
pure and elevating. Such must be seq
sual. Only those who keep themselves
pure physically. are permieted to drink
IN the divine inspiration Of nature. - lie +
that believes IN The power Of Love and
Wisdom, sand IS aiurnaliy baptized in