The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-07-20
&.
NATIONAL TEMPERANCE.

II is not what he puts on his back, but what he
puts into his stomach, that decides the character of
His status is not solely question of brains.
For he may be an undoubted genius, with brain-pow-
er sufficient to stock whole average community,
and not know enough to treat his stomach as though
it belonged to a sensible person.
Vex ourselves much may in regard to the
matter of Temperance-legislate thoroughly as
we choose to- pass many prohbitors laws as we
may fit is, and ever will be- question OF the
| stomach and only as such, and beginning at the
very outset off when considered it be effect
| ually treated.
But what absurd superiority you advancing
says 'As though temperance were regar-
ded other than question of thu stomach 2
Yet not so fast. good friend, neither be quite so
critical Temperance is not always held as You in.
innate. When Legislation lays hold of it, it becomes
then purely question of ,cN. Prohibition says to
the drunkard, you shall not drink rum and at
there arrayed the will of the tac against the
desire of the Is the temperance which follows
laying aside all the technieality of WORDS temper
ance of the stomach Not at all. If there were any
thing of the stomach, it would be intemperance for
the perverted cravings of that organ are strong as
ever, and are only unsatsfed because the will OF the
law is 1--WE will suppose,) stronger still.
The stomach is the mans master. 1t is a hu mill
/
/ it is truly and undeniaby fact. Look at the evil
1 dences of it. See poor Poe staggering down the
crooked way of dissipation its fearful darkness but
half iitumned and made to look fearful yet by
I the flashes of his wonderful genius-a genius SO
powerful that had it not been coupled to stomach
even more powerful, might have placed it's possessor
among the most honored Of the earth. And the t. r.
| rible array of examples We do not need to reeite
the list. 1t is familiar to all. 1t has been wept
by many and many Borrowing heart. 1t is being
added to from year to year with frequency which
I is indeed appalling.
Aye, the stomach is the mans master, aud the sto-
mach knows nothing of the logic of law. Its reason
is the of habit. The only legislation which it
can perfectly understand is that of the individual
alone and is summed up in his decree against the
forma ton of all unwise stomachc habits. Rarely
does the stomach crave what it mas never tasted
And what it has been educated to love, that will it
DESIRE however eloquenty legislators may declare it
shall not.
AT the best legislation falls short of its intention.
Habit asserts itself the law is somehow evaded the
man is finally conquered. Legislation is not what
we need most o-day. If good at ALL it is good smp-
" as a make shift. 1t will never build up Nation
al Temperance. 1t is not the groundwork upon
which to create a temperate people. There must be
a continual plea against the Habit and it's formation
The young must have deeply inwrought into their
very natures the truth that there safety in
eripg, however slightly rarely, to aught that is
debasing. For every youthful life, especially, posi-
bilites full to overlooking of promise and what
the promise she'll bring is for each to determine.
The drunkard in the gutter-a sickening reality to
himself-is sad possibility to every young man
| who presses to his lips whatever may intoxicate.--
Let this fact trte though it is, be borne in mind by
all. Let it be repeatedly impressed upon the young
| by those who responsible for their wel-beine
say to heir bright and over conscious boys at is
just possible that your self-control may be create,
than that of all others who have gone before you
but it is thar possible that if you form liking
for strong drink your stomach will prove stronger
than your brains your will, or the will of the
statutes therefore, touch not, taste not handle not
We need new infusion of life into public opinion
on this subject. From families; and the community
at large, there should enanate more definite tone,
healthier, purer influence, more decided and en-
patic dec afation in favor of Total Abstnen Leg
islation has been tried time and again all its var
forms have been tested yet without the marked
and radical resultant which in each instance
fondly anticipated The radical good will never re-
suit from it. The root of the whole matter lies furth
er back and to that must go. If strict Temper
be thoroughly incucated deep, abiding
principle, essential to individual welfare and ne
cessity to the public veal, Legislation concerning
will be utterly super fuous.