The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-03-26

speech upon what must be. to them. o
threadbare subject.
propose then to speak Of SOME OF THE
REASONS WHY EVERY MAN SHOULD TOTALLY
ABSTAIN FROM THE USE OF ALL INToxIcAT-
mo DRINKS.
|. They are unnecessary and injurious,
Upon this point all history, all obscrv-
alton, and all medical science entirely
agree. From the day when Daniel,
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego re-
fused to defle themselves with the por-
tion of the kings meat and with the wine
which he drank, and yet appeared tairer
and fatter in flesh than those who shared
his viands and slipped his nectar, to this
time, it has been abundantly proven that
alcoholic beverages are totally unneeded,
nay more, that they are every way in
furious, to the health and vigorous ac-
tion, alike of the physical, mental, and
spiritual nature Of man.
Upon this point the testimony of med
ical men, of the wardens and chaplains Of
our prisons, of the judges of our courts,
of all who have had the best opportuni-
ties of extended and careful observation,
is decisive and emphatic. Thus DR..
Rush says, "Spirituous liquors destroy
more lives than the sword. War has its
intervals of destruction, but spirits op-
crate at all times and seasons on human
life. Ardent spirits dispose the system
to disease of all kinds
Says DR.. Jewett, 1.-The direct tendency
of spirituous liquors is to destroy life. 1t
affects the coats of the stomach, and
through the medium Of the nervous sys-
TEN, deranges all the functions of the
body. Alcohol is without doubt one Of
the most acute poisons." To the same
effect is the testimony of all the most dis
tinguished physicians and Medical Socie-
ties, alike of Europe and the United
States.
Sir Matthew Hale, the great light OF
criminal Jurisprudence, says, "lf all the
murders, manslaughters and rapes which
have been committed during the twenty
years 1 have been on the bench, were d.
vided into five parts. four of them would
be found to have resulted from intemper-
ance."
Says distinguished French lawyer,
"Of 1929 murders, committed in France
during four years, 446 were the conse-
quence Of quarrels in tipplng houses. "
The coroner of London says, 81 think In
toxication is the cause of half the in
quests that are held in the metropolis. "
The late chief Justice Parsons says,
81 have been so long in the habit Of
hearing criminals, of all grades, refer all
their miseries to intemperance, that |
have ceased to ask them the cause of their
ruin"
S. Chipman. Esq, of New York, who
has visited every penitentiary, Jail and
work house in that State, in search oi
facts, says, "Morc than five sixths of the
persons committed on criminal charges
are Incorporate.
Rev. j. Curtis, for seventeen years
chaplain of the Mass. State prison, says
"More than three quarters of all the pris.
oners in Charlestown, of whom | had per-
sonal knowledge, were Incorporate men
All other causes combined do not pro.
duce so much immortality as the use oi
intoxicating drinks"
If it were at all necessary for the point
am making | could easily, greatly en-
large this testimony. AS matter OF
fact l know Of no counter testimony, Of
no divergent opinion among men whose
attainments and position qualify them to
judge on this question. Men of science
and men in practical life affirm every
where, that the use Of Intoxicating drinks
is alike needless and injurious.
But it is not necessary to 60 abroad
for evidence on this point. Within the
precincts of every neighborhood, and
within the limits of every hamlet, are to
be found proofs in abundance of our af
firmation. You shall see, in every com.
munity, those who use, in greater or less
measure, intoxicating drinks, and those
who abstain from them altogether. Com.
pare the two classes. Are those who re.
fuse to use them capable Of performing q
less amount of labor than their neigh.
bors ? Are they ny more exposed to the
attacks of disease Are they any moro
likely to be swept away by some prevail.
ing epidemic Do they become any more
readily beggared in their estates? Are
they less worthy, and respectable, and in.
fluential in the communities where they
reside Rather is not the reverse of all
this the fact? Such being the case our
position is made good, that the use in.
toxicating drinks is needless and harm.
ful.
We are well aware how strong con.
viction many men have of tho beneficial
effect of intoxicating beverages. They
are supposed to be perfect panacea for
all the ills TO which flesh is heir; warm.
ing and cooling, bracing and relaxing a
preservation against tho most opposite
diseases an antagonist to the heat of the
sun, and the severity of winter; to the
rain from the clouds, and the drouth
OF the skies a relief in distress, medi-
um of enjoyment in prosperity ; the prop
er accompaniment of joy at the wedding
feast, and Of grief in tho house of mourn
ing; never out OF place, and always
among the pleasant things to be desired.
But if medical and moral science can es-
tablish any fact, this is decisively settled
that there is needless harm, and that in
great measure, in every use of the intox-
lcating cup.
Let US confirm this conclusion by the
clear declarations of the Divine word
Hear then what God saith, "Wine is a
mocker, strong drink is raging, and who
soever is deceived thereby is not wise"
"Look not on the wine when it is red,
when it giveth his color in the cup, when
it moveth itself Alright; at the last, it
biteth like serpent, and stingeth like an
adder" "Who hath woe =? Vine hath
sorrow? Who hath contentious ? Who
hath babblings? Who hath wounds with