Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-04-06
Drunkenncas.

IL has becoms a serious question OF late whe;h
er the crime of drunkenness has not been or. the
increase ia this country. Tha,itis a crime needs
no proof The man who allows himself TO be
come Intoxicated commits a crime against society,
against HE family and friends. agains; himself,
and against the law Of God. According to the
measures Of responsibility which rests on him,
the Nervousness Of he crime agains. society,
family. individual. or public Interests Is greater
or less But the truth cannot be hidden, that Of
late there has grown upoa upon The minds Of
men in this country a disposition 10 look with
~lenieDcy on the fact that a person has been in
toxicsted. Its rather laughed at than condemn
Ell. liz il excused with the most easy apologies.
Ii does not cost the offender his position in soci
ETY.. Ii does not injure his credit az a business
man nearly as much as it once did.
Nor is it regarded IS a sufficient reason for re
fusing TO elect a man 20 public Office, that be is
known TO be a hard dfinker aud occasionally
"goes OF a spree 10 fac, nothing is more com
mon than TO bear the accusation of drunkenness.
which has been leveled at a candidate for Office,
answ ered with an air of entire satisfaction by the
assertion, 'Oh no-he is not a drunkard-he has
a spree once in 4 while. but he does pot drink
hard as a general rule"
There is too much reason 10 believe that many
public men ia high stations. connected with all
political parties, are nothing less than drunkards;
and that grave errors have been committed by
them while under the influence OF intoxicating
liquors. We do not make these remarks Tor the
sake Of casting reproach. but In the discharge of
a duty 20 which recent events impel all good
citizens. II is time TO look at the subjec, with
seriousness AID solemn apprehension commensu-
rate 10 the vast interests involved.
The voice OF Indignation which has been heard
from one end of the land 10 the other ought not
TO die away without producing a good and per
manent effect. Nor should the melancholy and
disgraceful occurrence Of March 4th be used for
partisan purposes, Og be dealt with as a matter
only affecting the Interests or the character OF a
party. Ii Is beyond denial that some public men
OF all parties are known TO be in the habit. of
drinking 70 excess. Lei the self interest Of the
citizen lead him 10 expose and condemn these
men, II the sense OF honor and YiFtne aud public
character be lot a sufficient motive When a
ship i rushing 10 destruction with drunken off
GERS in places of responsibility, the sooner they
are thrown into the ocean TIC better, and every
one il Interested in the execution.
And Il is rot here that the reforming process
must stop. A more healthy public sentiment is
needed. Hen OUT Of Office as well as men in
Office should be punished by social os,racism, BY
general disrust, il theY allow themselves to be
come either habitual or occasional dsunkards.
The man Th0 FOR one hour voluntarily loses
command OF bis reason and Judgment cannot ex
pect 10 be trusted at any time in the year. The
man who Will voluntarily place himself in g 20
sitOn 10 be mlsled defrauded OF duped-who will
OF his own volitiOn render himself for a day, a
night. even for the bFiefest time, unable TO pro
tect hs OWL interests or the interest of others
entrusted to him, is unworthy Of confidence, and
ought not to expect TO enjoy it. When he have
a hearty, healthy social condemnation of drink
ing to excess. we shall have some relief from
the present state Of affairs N. Y. Journal Of
Commerce.