Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-04-03
The Temperance Question


meeting, of last Monday night, went
off we'll. We had large audience and
Mr.. Forrist made an effective, argu-
mentatiEe speech, which was well re-
ceived by the audience.
He thinks an enlightened public
sentiment, or what is called moral sua-
sion, the means TO remove the evil of
intemperance.
l think an enlightened public senti-
ment necessary and indispensable, but
think laws and adequate penalties
necessary too.
Mr.. Forrist says the liquor traffic is a
crime, equal to murder or treason
And so it is. Now, sir, the liquor traf-
fic is in fact drunksrd making. and
kdrunkard making is a criminal busi-
ness. We want laws and penalties
that will take the money and the re-
spectablity out of the whole traffic A
law, that would fine fellow from $500
to s., 600 and send him to the peni-'
tentisry, from one to FIVE years for each
and every offence, would strike the
whole internal crew with terror, and
probably raise new sensations in their
ranks. Make the law adequate to the
crime. This is what is needed.
All temperance discussions and tenn
perance organizations are in pursuit of
q remedy for the evil. To apply rem
edy for any evil, either moral, physic-
al or political, it is necessary to exam
inc well its nature, ascertain its cause,
and understand its effects, or conse-
quences. Now, what is the nature of
this great hydrs-headed evil, proper
ly called drunkennessi 1t is physical,
intellectual and moral disease. Under
its inhuence, ,physical structures, organs
and functions become aderanged, dis
tnIbed, oEef-Torked and excessively
taxed, until the vital properties of the
physical system are uDsqually disturb
ed, and disease, is the result, or sequel. |
In the human system the brain is |
the great center of sympathies, the |
sensorium commune. The brain is the |
great source, from which is distributed |
the Eitalizing properties ofhuman or
ganization. It presides over all the vi
tai organs and functions of the physic-
al man. The nerves, of which the brain
is the great center, are the track upon
which the vital properties travel, or
are transmitted to every point of the
body. The heart is the organ of circu-
lation. The lungs are the organs of
respiration, OF breathing. The stomach
the organ of digestion, and the liver
the dominant organ of secretion. And
not only isthe healthy economy of fcircu-
lation, digestion, respiration and secre-
ton dependant upon the enerYating
and vItalIziDg power of the brain, but
50 It is with regard to ell the other vi Ii
tai phenomana of the human system, |,
such as calori6cation, perspiration,
sxcretion, &c. At glance, thus we
see the importance and necessity for q
healthy action of the brain, in order to
have healthful state of the physical
system. Animal life is the result of an
Of organs, agencies and ap-
olisnces, operating and cooperating in
,ne common endeaYor, and each and
Nj sympathize with the brain, and de-
pend upon it for the power to live and
move.
1t is clear. therefore, that whatever l
listurbs the equilibrium of the brain, L
II interrupts its normal state, is an en-.
my TO life and health.
1
Intellect. All mental manifestations,
reason, affection, love, To- c
ltion and will, as well as social and t
motional qualities of our nature, are n
manifested and realized, by and thro' ri
he brain. Thus all that is desirable and a
opeful in health and life, and that is n
and noble; nationality, Il
lentality and accountability hang up
n the heslthful and normal condition -
the brain. Whatever deteriorates or I:
oranges the brain, degrades and bru- u
llizes the man. 0i
Every body knows that the first and a.
st effect of all intoxicating liquor lu
ken into the stomach, is to impair G
le brain, and then follows train of VI
lorbid actions, mental and physical,
loral and social, as the great DR.. Rush W
id, "whose name is legion" Truly a
len the whole head is sick and the hs
hole heart is faint. By
Thus we perceive something of the by
ature of this terrible evil. It takes ed
ON its unfortunate victim, the crown tn
Gods glory, dethrones his reason,
sstroys his judgement, dissipates his
i'll, robs him of his humanity, makes
m brute, covers him with rags and in
anne, fills him with disease, fostering le'
ounds, moral pollution and eternal WI
,ath.
Now for the cause. What shall we 1e
" what can we sayi o, it is the le- m,
lized liquor traffic. Co
This is a general evil, common ca te,
nifty q national curse, q national
anne. II is peculiar to no class, rank
condition. It takes the high and the tal
v, the rich and the poor, the learned m'
d the ignorant. id'
1t inyades every home and freside. an
} sanctuary of God is too holy for its sci
crilegious plundering. No mind can
spple with its strength. No intellect th'
n Withstand its power. No virtue, est
rity nor innocence can defy its ma
llish temptings and internal guile. are
Il cuts down youth in its firm man in
cd and strength, and age in its weak
IS, while the devil, death and hell ~
Id carnival over its conquests. H1s
ALOPATH. Ao'
In