Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-10-16
THE ASYLUM FOR INEBRIATEs.

The State OF New York is the pioneer, we be.
lieve, in the human work of providing an Asylum
for the lnebr!ate a charity which ranks second
to none in the catalogue Ct good works. The cor.
ner stone Of the State edi6ce was laid on the Oath
inst, at Binghampton, Broome Co., with imposing
Masonic ceremonies. Dr.. Turner, who was the
chief mover in the enterprise, was present. and re-.
ceived, as was meet he should, honorable notice
from the orators among which were Edward Ev.
erett, Daniel S. Dickinson and Benz. F. Butler.
Why the charity of providing for the 1nebri,t e
should so las in the rear of other State Institutions.
can only be accounted for upon the superstition
that drunkenness is regarded rather in the light of
a crime, and consequently those who are it's Wis.
Tins are considered justly to suffer for their wilful-
ness. But this is q narrow and cruel view of the
subject, even if the consequences of drunkenness
were totally confined to the immediate victim.
When. however, the happiness of those who in
no way are implicated in the act is considered, and
when the good of society in general is taken into
the account, the charity assumes a new shnpe, and
one that commends itself to every phllanthr, pist,
Society has too much to answer for in the encour.
agements of the evil of drinking, to shield itself
from the responsibility Of providing proper retreats
for those, who, in following custom and habit, are
drawn within the vortex of inebrity. And it should
ever be born in mind, that the most gifted, those
who By q briliancy of talent, a geniality of despot-
ism, or a winning manner draw around admirers
and %votaiies, are oftenest led into temptation, and
are of that number from whom the ranks of the
~inebriate are most rapidly recruited. Then, again,
reflect, to how many the thirst for strong drink
has been lett as a legacy. Are we not bound to
assist such in any effort to ALLEVIATE such inherit.
ance
Moderate drinkers may talk about the power to
control ones appetite, and teetotallers may point
out the remedy for all-"taste not, touch not"-
yet none of them know the fierce struggle between
duty and inclination which is going on in the
breast of the Inebria:e nor can any man, save the
opium or hachish eater, imagine the strength of
the appetite for drink which has possession of the
drunkard.
Many a dissipated man, who has religiously
wished to reform, has fallen back with his resolu,
ton half executed, when, in coming out of a de.
bauch he has needed, but not found, q hand to
minister to his terrible craving some substitute for
the Intoxicating draught, until such time as he
could gather a little strength to enable him TO pass
through the fiery trial which lies right in his way.
When the fumes of the intoxicating bowl have suf.
~dciently passed off to enable reason to resume its
sway. but before the physical system can be nerved
to combat successfully with the misery to which
he has just awakened. then it is the kind nurse,
the gentle friend, can pour in the balm upon poor
shattered neral and physical nature, and give it
the victory over a depraved appetite. Such is the
object of an Asylum for Inebriates.
We hope some philanthropist will agitate this
matter in our own Legislature, and he who does
so and thus inaugurates the charity, will be called
blessed not only by the victims Of strong drink
themselves. but by mothers. and sisters, and daugh.
ters.-G Cleveland Herald.