The Ouachita telegraph., 1872-05-18
Barnum Lectures on Temperance.

Lincoln Hall was literally packed
last night on the occasion of the lecture
on temperance by p. Il. Barnum, OF
New York. Even the stage was throng-
ed, and in the aisles and rear of the
hall We're hundreds who were unable
to obtain seats. About O'Clock Mr..
Barnum appeared on the platform, and
was greeted with loud applause.
On being introduced to the audience
Mr.. Barnum said he supposed a large
number We're present for the object Of
gratifying that feeling which is inhe-
rent in mankind, and which he had
catered to for many years-curiosity.
[Laughter.] All are interested in this
subject of temperance; man in every
stage of life is an interested party, and
when we say &C man." we mean woman
also, because man embraces woman.
[Laughter.] The human system might
be compared to fine watch, which
may be easily ruined through igno-
rance. Dropping vinegar instead of oil
into watch spoils it, and whisky has
like effect on the system of man.
The remaining portion of Mr.. Bar
NUNS lecture was made up largely of
anecdotes, interesting and often laugh
able, and every one making strong
pOlI1C elllpeFAuCc.
The lecturer said that some people
held that liquor was intended for the
use of man as we'll as anything else.
God made food and drink of many
kinds, but nowhere in nature is alcohol
found. [Applause.1 Medical men had
found by research that alcohol, even if
used moderately, is injurious, and in
analyzing the blood of those who had
used liquor traces Of alcohol were fire.
quently found. Whisky for man is
like spurs for horse it may start him
along, but there is no nutriment in it.
Mr.. Barnum said that physicians
erred in prescribing milk punch for
mothers who were troubled by the cry
ing of their babies. The object of stop
ping the crying, however, was accom-
plished just as soon as the baby became
boozy on secondhand milk punches.
{ Laughter. But it was very hurtful
for the baby.
The evils of tobacco We're also por-
trayed by the lecturer, who dwelt par
on it's effect in depraving the
appetite and disarranging the digestive
organs.
Regarding the use of liquor from
financial standpoint, it will be seen
that it is a fearfully expensive habit.
Every fifteen years the entire value of
our United States is swallowed down
in rum. This crime of drinking is not
confined to any one class, but is COM
mon to all and the range of the labors
of the temperance men is therefore very
great. We find this crime prevalent
those who are known as nice,
generous, good fellows, and it is just
this class that we should save, for their
generous spirit would lead them to use
their means more to the advantage of
their fellow-men than by spending it
in rum. Why not go around with
boiled potatoes in your pocket, and on
q friend take bite, and say,
ft Here's your good health"
The lecturer stopped suddenly at
about the middle of his lecture, saying
that he wished toafford an opportunity
for taking a collection in the aid of
in this District. The bas
kets We're passed around, and u hand
some sum was received.
Resuming his remarks, Mr.. Barnum
read paragraph from the report of the
of the poor in Vineland,
N. j., showing that strict Temperance
prevailed in the town and the result
thereof was that the poor expenses were
but a trifte each year, and in the year
of the report not Il grog-shop existed;
there was but one fire, but one robbery,
and but one arrest for any ofense. The
lecturer believed that temperance was
for this excellent condition
Of affairs.
The moderate drinker is even more
in the community than the
hard drinker, because. the first leads
men to drink, while the other is 4
warning. The great effort should be
to make the use Of liquor disreputable.
is the stronghold of
liquor dealers. The community should
oppose whisky selling because it causes
the greatest part of the existing power
ty, and fills our pauper asy1ums, which
each and all are called upon to pay for.
Ladies' have an important part to play
in putting down this curse of intempe-
rance, and it is their duty to act, for
their future lives may, perchance. be
blasted by the intemperance of dear
one, who, from a human being, may
be transformed into a fiend. Let the
young ladies say to their lovers, "Nour
lips shall not again touch my cheek
until you abandon the use of liquor,'
and there would be lively travelling
i'll searchoftemperancep pledges. Laugh
ter. IiuuOr-SellerS saw thew have a