The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-10
Greniag State 9aurmat
Respectable Tipping.

York charged upon the ladies of that city
the habit OF excessive tippling. The ac-
cusation created great deal of excite
ment, provoked much acrimonious criti-
cism aud many indignant denials, and
induced examination, which elected some
facts, says the New York Commercial i'd
uertiser, calculated to give some sort of
foundation to the charge. The statement
made in New York was taken up abroad,
and much virtuous indignation was ex-
pressed over the shocking condition of
things in America. The London Saturday
Revieac was particularly severe in its con-
demnation, and several new and sharp
points were furnished for the shafts it is so
accustomed to let fly at us. Now, how
ever, we read in the same Revie,o long
drawn out indictment of the same sort
against the women of England.
The ReuieW notes an evil that Is alarm
ingly on the increase, and which threatens
to degrade women of the well-born and
educated classes. Inebriety is no longer
unknown in the most charming saloons.
The Lancet deprecates the exhibition Of
alcohol as a remedy for disease, and hints
that out of such prescriptions has grown
the fashion which assimilates the nectar
drinking divinities of Olympus to the GIN
bibbers of the tipping shops. Over
stimulation has done its work, and there
comes the need for the irregular or periodic
glass. When the absence of this is felt as
an Inconvenience, then the downhill career
Is commenced, and in man or woman alike
it tends to certain result, both lamentable
and disgraceful. The will power is gone,
and the victim is weak and Intellectual to
resist, in presence of any shock, mental or
physical, and there is no end of the shifts
and tricks to which he or she will not re-
sort to procure the desired draught. As
modeus himself would be baffled by their
superior cunning.
The London Practitioner comes to the
aid of the Saturday Reuiew, and bewails
"the increasing prevalence of alcoholic
excess among educated women Many
ladies in the best London society, the
editor says, drink SO much sherry per day
that they absorb from an ounce and half
to six ounces Of alcohol. Many young
girls take their two or three ounces of
alcohol each day, a quantity equal to
three or four quarts of beer. They find it
in the champagne of the evening party,
and the wine at lunch and at dinner. They
vie with the lords of creation in the con-
sumption of these fluids. The Practitioner
says the effect is most disastrous-the lady
suffers daily narcotization which suffices
to implant in her sensitive system fixed
craving for alcoholic drinks.
This is plain presentation of facts for
our English friends, and no doubt there is
much truth in it. Doubtless, too, if the
veil were lifted here, says the New York
Commercial Aduertiser, something Of
like description might be disclosed. Peo-
pie will play with known peril. The
very danger is fascinating. But in the
case of dangerous tippling, the hazard is
not appreciated. Safety is assumed, but
by-and-by when abstinence is incon-
venience, or when it is gained only by an
effort, the velvet of the tiger claw is with
drawn, and the sharp fang is felt. Ine-
briefly, under the guise of over-stimu-
laton, goes hand in hand with res
pectability. Reproachful terms, ex-
pressed in plain Anglo-Saxon, are ap-
piled to the "drunkard" of the lower
classes, while for the "inebriate" of
the better classes there are mild and nniti-
eating phrases. The question seems an
open one whether intemperance is on the
gain or on the wane. 1t has its strong
holds from which it seems impossible to
dslodge it. But there is to-day, continues
the Adpertiser, a better understanding of
the evil and the cause, and a means Of
treatment more hopeful. Abuse will not
do. Penal infiictions are useless. There
are moral and natural causes to be reached
by moral and natural means, and the
ASYLUM, which is the creation of this de-
cade, is as full of cheer to the inebriate
and his friends as the lighthouse is to the
storm-driven sailor. 1t warns of danger,
and it tells of a calm harborage within,
where quiet and rest may be had and a
new departure made.