Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-10-05
communicated
Iufnninna.natcn

they had been accustomed to the use
of beer and ale IN Europe. They APP
pretended that the air of this hot
climate was unhealthy and that the
water contained some noXlous quail
ity. In these opinions they We're con
tirmed by observing that some persons
died suddenly who had drank freely OF
cold water when oppressed with heat
and fatigue, and that severe tevers and
agnes prevailed IN the autumnal sea-
son. Hence, through the influence
of erroneous preIudices and opinions,
the early settlers of this country adopt
ed the practice which prevailed in the
West Indies and introduced the com
mon use ofrum, imported from thence,
or of an inferior kind distilled out OF
molasscs, from New England.
1t Is admitted that cold water drank
in large quantities when the body Is
overhcated is hurtful; but spirituous
liquors are by no means proper pre-
venta,ive when brought into common
use and in both physical and NOR,
al respects they are highly improper.
The natural smallpox, that terrible
disease which is to-day stalking abroad
in our land, also prevailed among the
first settlers of this country, and the
mistaken treatment was rum admit
ted in various forms; this was esteem
ed absolutely necessary for the unhap-
pv patient. Spirits were often used
as Il domestic medicine. Hence on
idea Of the medicinal usefulness of
spirits almost universally prevailed
among the first settlers of our land.
The sentiments Of the people being
thus predispose7i, opinion, custom, gen
crosby and hospitality. all concurred
with the natural influence of habit to
favor the general use of spirits From
the combined effects of these causes
spirituous liquors became an indispens
able article in hay time and harvest :;
at raisings of buildings; at frolcs Of
every kind, and also at vendues, as it
had been customary in the parent
country to give spiced wine or ale at
funerals. All this had powerful eff
feet upon the minds and manners ofthe
people who, being moro or less in
famed with strong drinks. frequently
behaved in a rude and disorderly
manner. This becoming common was
the less regarded as Il blemish Of char
aCter.
Thus common opinion and Gus
tom ruled the subject with sovereign
authority, until it became so manifest
and evil in its consequences that pc
titions were presented and an act was
passed on the subject in the year 1850,
prohibiting the practice ofgivlng spir-
its on public occasions under penal
ty of four pounds for the first and five
pounds for the second and every sue
ceeding otIensc But for many years
the good effects intended by the law
were frustrated. The sober and more
considerate parts of all religious So
cieties being affected with concern on
account Of the Inconsistency Of giving
spirits at funerals. The Society of
Friends took such measures about the
year 1850 as in short time put an end
to the practice among themselves
Since then their example has been
generally bat OF uhivcrsall Y sustained
The practices which have been cited
ere principally used for the purpose
of illustration. There is q powerful
obstacle that prevents the progress Of
this good work, viz a certain class of
stores or taverns styled Chan1 shops );
the keepers attempt TO justify them
selves by saying, IF a man wants liq-
uor he 1riU have it; if | don't sell it
to him another will" An argument
that may as we'll be used to Justify a
man to sell opium or arsenic to a lun-
attic. The man who persists in the
sale of this deadly poison and lifts the
bowl of destruction 10 the mouth of
his fellow man, does not perhaps think
for moment that he must answer for
the miseries that follow his wicked
act, when summoned before an aveng-
ing God.
The question has often been debated
(which has killed the most men, War
or Incompetence 81 This may appear
to many a silly question, who will no
doubt be ready to exclaim War to be
sure the idea of Intemperance kill
ing as many men as have been slain
in the many great wars, the blood Of
whose thousands has fairly drenched
the soil of mother eArth in all times
and all ages, from the time Cain made
war upon his brother Abel, down to
the present Is a preposterous one
Who would have thought of asking
such a foolish question ? | would rath-
err have expected to have heard you
asking which were greater-,he ra
diant light OF day, or the glorious orb
that emits that light? which We're
mightier, the leader that plans end
orders the onslaught, or the common
soldier that obeys his command ?
Such We're the haunting remarks which
| once heard from two fnel y dressed
young men who were passing along
the streets of one of our larger cities,
one Of them evidently under the in
tluence of Intoxicating liquors, while
the other demonstrated with him in I,
heated debate as to the merits of tins
question which, at the time seemed
I but trivial to me, but upon which |