The Portland daily press., 1868-08-05
Poetry.
A Terrible Plot.
Miscellany.
The Que.tion of smoke.

There have been couDterblasts enouoh
AGAINST tobacco since the days of Kino
lanes TO utterly extirpate the noxious weed.
il there were not a potentialty in its very
yileness which defies outraged virtue and
common sense. The smoke OF our torrents
rises up forever, and the anti-smokers ey-
claim in despair, "How long, o Lord, how
longp Nothing can abate the nuisance.
Neither the internal revenue tax, nor Mr..
Parton,s excellent article in the Atlantic
Monthly, have had the slightest apparent
effect in diminishing the volume OF smoke
which pollutes our atmosphere. Mr.. Parton
debated the question, Does smoking pay?
with great ability. But did anybody ever
imagine that smoking did pay, in an econom-
ical sense, except the tobacco producer?
Thousands of essays have been written to
prove the injurious effects OF using tobacco I;
but no one that we are aware OF has ever
had the hardihood to attempt to show the
benefits of the weed.
But it is not our purpose to declaim against
smoke, per Sc. Let those who choose to des-
troy their health by maxim funnel of their
mouths, or dust, hole of their nostrils do so,
and take the consequences. If they sin, ii
is with their eyes as well as their mouths
wide open. But what we protest against, in
behalf ofthe well-disposed and virtuous part
OF the human race, is the abominable sefsh-
ness OF the smokers in compelling Others to
bear part OF the consequences of their dis
gushing habits. Men who smoke are nj
terly regardless of the comfort or convenience
of other people. There may be question as
to the effect of tobacco upon the health of
those who use it; it may be or it may not be
utterly destructive; but no one can deny
that it it utterly demoralizing and destructive
so far as good manners are concerned.
Smokers, and chewers, and shutters are sim
ply hideous in their selfshness. They will
indulge in the use of the weed. let who will
suffer. There used to be, in the good old
times-which were good In this particular, if
in nothing elsa notification to the effect
that smoking was not permitted abaft the
engine" But it is long while since we have
seen this notice posted up anywhere in our
travels. The smokers now invade all parts of
the steamboats,, and pay no respect whatever
to the presence of ladies. 1t used to be the
custom among gentlemen, when lighting a
cigar, to ask the people present it smoking
were disagreeable? But this little courtesy
is mostly disused at present, and smokers
light their meerschaums with entire indffer-
ence to the feelings of Others A man who
would as soon think Of picking pocket
indulge in sucking an orange or eating pea
nuts in public does not hesitate to smoke a
pipe, or thrust pinch of snuff up his nos
trils, or to cram his mouth half full of tobac-
co in the very face and eyes of society.
The nuisance of smoking on board of
steamboats, and in the public streets has be-
come an unbearable offense. 1t may not be
ungentl manly to smoke; but it most GER
tainy is so when it is offensive to other PEG.
pie who cannot escape from it. But what do
the smokers, or the shutters, or the chewers,
care for the suferings of such feeble folk as
women and invalids? They care nothing for
the wretchedness which they infiict in the in
diligence OF their depraved and uncleanly APP
petites. They are simply odiously and ex-
ceptionably selfish. But how to deal with
them in such way as to make them sensible
OF their improprieties and outrages OF the
common courteses of civilized lie we do not
know, except by making a public protest
against tbem.- Independent.