The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-05-24
Some of the Effects Of Strong Drink.

N1UC-IeUIuS VI all tlC IiSOhtiouo"S''
which curses society is perpetrated UNI
der the inflammatory influence OF ar
dent spirits. Acting especially on the
base of the brain, where the organs OF
the animal passions are located, alco-
holic stimulants work out their baleful
influence chiefly through the passions.
If careful note be taken of the great
crimes against the persons which come
under the cognizance of the courts, it
will be found that most of the culprits
committed their offences when intoxi-
Gated. 1t is notorious that the inmates
of the dens of shame are habitual
drinkers, and nine-tenths of their pa
irons and companions in lewdness are
temporarily, if not constantly, under
the influence of stimulants. The po-
lice reports of all cities indicate that
rows, riots and bloody ARRAYS resulting
in manslaughter and murder, as well
as crimes against decency, are perpe-
trated by persons who are intoxicated.
If rare exception occurs it is the Won
der of all. We may rise higher; enter
political conventions and halls of legis
Cation, and it will be found that the
dissensione, strifes and disgraceful, if
not traitorous transactions frequently
occurring, grow out of the same foun-
tain of evil alcoholic stimulants.
Every propensity of mans mental
nature, every feeling, the perverted ac-
ton of which leads to excess and crime,
is not only warped and perverted, but
temporarily doubled in its activity and
power, by the use of stimulants. Many
thousands of men who, when sober,
are self-regulated, just, amiable and
excellent as fathers, friends and citi-
zens, become quarrelsome, dangerous
and fiendish by the maddening influ-
ence of ardent spirits.
As the organs of the animal propen-
sites are more intimately related to
the body than those of the higher men
tai powers, the use of stimnlants tends
20 augment the force of these propensi-
ties, and by excess of action to drive
them directly to abuse and perversiOn ;
while the reason, the memory, skill,
taste, prudence, ambition, moral and
religious sentiments are misdirected,
clouded and benumbed. We have
known honest men, who, when under
the influence of liquor, would lie and
take every dishonorable method to OBJ
tain money, in order to carry out their
maudlin purposes, but who, when So
Der, would scorn lie or dishonorable
act. Who has not seen kind and be-
nevOlent men who, when disguised by
liquor, seemed callous to every senti-
ment of kindness? The soundest rea-
son, the sharpest perception, and the
clearest memory becomes clouded by
stimulents until the unhappy victim is
unable to manage his affairs or reason
correctly on any subject. Moreover,
every social tie is severed by intern
perance-not in every case but in my
riads of cases.
The fair and loving wife and hel
prattling babe, who are the pleasure
and pride of the husband and father
become the objects and victims of his
hate, and murder when his brain is
fred by stimulants. Many such mar
has awakened from drunken condi-
ton in felon's cell, and been Mortified
: when informed that he had slain his
wife and child. If this state is not one
of insanity it is akin to it, with the
crime of intemperance added. The
setting on fire Of the passions, ant
bunting all the higher feelings, de-
thrones all that is Godlike in a man
and makes him more british than {
beast.
1t is sometimes asserted that som,
men can not make speech, or an!
other great and successful mental eff
fort, until they are aroused and stimu
lated by strong drink. Men may be
come SO accustomed to the use of alco
3 holic liquors as to require larg'
amount to arouse them to effort. TIL,
same is equally true of those who u.s.
, opium, morphine or arsenic. But WIN
thinks the poisoning of a person by ar
senic or morphine a proper or desila
BILE mode of whipping the faculties int
actions Who does not know that tn
) slave of opium or arsenic is using u
e his life's force and will soon breal
down his abused condition and die b,
!, poison? Does not the very common
Y yet awful disease called delirium tire
a mems settle the question as to the dir
+ effects upon mind and body of alcohol
ic stimulantsq Is delirium tremens
! more reputable or less terrible deaf
than that produced by the poison 9
opium or arsenic? Who would nc
prefer to see loved friend, if he mus
die an untimely death, glide into tn
dreamy elysium of the opium eater
S until consciousness is snothered in tn
b silence of death, than to witness IL,