Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1860-04-27
Currespomdemee
Evils of Tobacco Using.
ASrI-ToRACco Room, }
April -, 1850. {

ASTI-TonAcco Room,
April -, 1850.
Mr.. EpIroR 1t may seem strange to
YOU that | should choose such subject
for your journal, when so much has been
said upon it,-but | have not chosen it,
it has been forced upon me, and that to
such an extent that 1 have felt to pass it
by, would be to gricve the Master and vex
the Holy Spirit.
Many Of the more prominent evils of
the age have been fairly met and faith
fully exposed but the one Of Tobacco
usiny has we'll nigh escaped observation.
1t is true some sermons have been preach
ed, now and then an editorial has been
furnished, and pamphlets and prize essays
have appeared on the subject but as yet
this crying sin remains unexposed, caress-
ed and adhered to with all the natural tc-
nacity of the dying to life. The public is
not so far gone as to deny that tobacco
using is sin but it is generally re-
gardcd as one of not very deep dye
il is an excused infirmity in the old, a
lesser evil than others which might exist
in the middle-aged, and something not to
be regarded as very appalling in the
Young. The mention of it produces only
some cold acknowledgements attended by
smile, or the ringing laugh; such is the
state of things in regard to this mighty
and constantly growing evil and SO deep
is the hold already obtained by it on
mems appetites and consciences, and so
great is the opposition to relinquishing it
that a hereulean strength and the voice
of deep and prolonged thunder, are re-
quircd to arouse and separate US nay,
We can look successfully only to the
mighty power of God, which is the source
Of all true and efectual reform.
In order therefore that we may be as
sisted somewhat in arriving at just views
Of duty in this respect, allow me to speak
freely, candidly and seriously, as in the
sight Of God, of some Of the evils of to-
bacco using:
II is Destructive to the Body-With
such abundant proof as we have to this
effect, proof drawn from the best medical
authority, as well as our own experience
and observation, it will not be difficult to
admit the truth of this position. Tobac-
co, as is well known, contains malignant
poison, Nicotine, the deadly effects of
which upon animal life have been detect.
ed and acknowledged by all Psychologists
of any note applied to animals, as the
dog cat, or squirrel, it has produced
death in but few minutes and with the
deepest pity and sympathy, to the behold
or.
The general confession of those who
use the weed is, &" | know that it Injuries
me-" Many have been obliged to rclin-
quish it, or find premature grave. Il
should grow fat if | did not use tobacco, y
only shows the truth of my position. To-
bacco acts directly on the nervous system,
enfecbling, deranging and if its use is not
abandoned, extinguishing sooner or later
the very actions of life. Space will not
allow me to mention in detail, what evils
to the physical system are wrought by
this destructive agent; their name is lc-
gion. 1t may be said that men have lived
long, even to old age under the uso of to-
bacco; so have individuals survived to
great age who have used intoxicating IL
quors, fact that will be insufficient to
prove that alcoholic drinks are harmless
and promotivc of life. Some persons
withstand poisonous influences longer than
others If We can under tobacco and
rum live long, without them we can live
longer INDEPENDENT.
ITO be Continuea.)