The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-09-12
TObaGGO-SOttimg.
From the New York star,l

There is q species of intoxication
making, gigantic progress among us
which threatens to be productive of still
greater danger and annoyance to the
community than the inebriatiOn excited
by alcohOl-we allude to- Misunderstanding,
coming a new word for the purpose.
It is impossible to exaggerate the peril
and the flthiness of this most disgust
ing habit, which is now becoming so
prevalent, and there is not the slightest
excuse for it, either in its inception or
in its progress The wine hihher or the
grOg-drinker may make the apology
that he finds the liquor, in the first in
stance, agreeable; but the most de-
termined devotee Of tobacco must ad-
init that the first taste of the noxious
herb in any shape is nauseOus and dis
gushing in the highest degree. The
wretched school-bOy who takes it on
the supposition that it is manly to do
so exhibits every sign Of nausea in his
face, and it acts so painfully upon his
stomach that it is a positive marvel he
can be induced to persevere. A few
have the good sense to give it up in
disgust, finding that no subsequent
pleasure from it is to be discovered
equal to the immediate pain. The ma
jority however persist, and what was
at first q most painful ordeal becomes
at last a most baneful habit. It is
difficult to speak in terms sufficiently
strong of the noXiOus effects of tobacco.
Under it's first use the face becomes
pale, the aspect sickly, and the growth
itself is stunted. AS the youth grows
up, many nervous diseases are engen-
dered, and the experiments made by
Majendie and many other distinguished
| kNrnpah YabVvcTHT0yS p1TrnTrp bo-TnrNI oil
doubt that it invariably tends to the
shortening of life. It is all very well
to tell us that instances occur Of men
having lived to a great age nOtwith-
standing this habit numerous instances
might be cited of these having attained
similar longevity in spite of equal in
diligence in alcohol; but it is not the
less unquestiOnable in both cases that
each is productive of consequences
equally fatal to human life. A loud
outcry is being made at present for it's
prohibition in public vehicles and the
contemplation of q similar measure in
the public parks. We think the move
1hent is highly desirable in both instan-
ces, and that it ought to be adopted.
II smokers will indulge in their often
sive habit, let a set of carriages be ap-
propriated for them, and let them be
Ol1uue W tiio OEuluafy IOdu OF q place
set apart for them. They have no right
as at present, to nauseate ordinary pas
sengers and the public foot-path. It is
much to be regretted that such o bane-
full example should be shown to de-
voices to tobacco by the head of the
nation. Much Of the besotted aspect OF
General Grant is to be attributed to hi
excessive indulgence in the poisonous
herb, From morning till night the
n~oxious cigar is never out of his mouth
and habits of alcoholic indulgence are
thus engendered to supply the loss o.
the natural fluids. It would be toG
late, perhaps, to call upon him to aban.
don his nOxious customs, though h
might thus prolong his life; but every
member of the community should b
taught to avoid his ~nauseating example
and our youth especially ought to b.
; impressively enjoined never to enter OF
such q course.