Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-04-11
Drunkcnnsss In High Lie.

l
communication in yesterdays Maine
Standard, signed "Nixon," has two points on.
ly, viz An apology for drunkenness in "high
life" $50 called,) and threat On these two
points we propose to say few words.
First-The apology. A great evil can new.
er be cured by concealment. 1t must be
dragged from its hiding place, that its deform.
tiles may be seen and serve as a warning.
The surgeons knife, incsiye though it be,
and painful to endure, is nevertheless bless
ing, because 1t goes to the root of the disease,
and removes its cause. The little item in
these columns the other day, relating to q
case Of drunkenness in "high life"--a fact,
undenied and acknowledgement a sharp
sword cutting away the veil that hides great
social evil. That the shot hit the mark is
shown by the futtering of gay birds that will
be careful they are not hit. We had at
heart the public interest and the good of the
| temperance cause in publishing the fact.
What can the correspondent of the Stand
ard hope to gain by apologizing III drunken
ness? Are not these kid. gloved aiologists,
| hindrances to the prog, ess of temperance re-
form? Those having riches and position
have assumed to wrap their robes about them,
and claim, forsooth, that their vices shall not
be exposed to the light Of day! You may
itemize the poor gutter drunkard, but don't
dare to hold up to public examination this
gilded palace of drunkenness and debauchery
They will read in the local paper of the ar
rest and disgrace of poor Maggie McGinnis,
and they will turn up their noses as they sip
their wine at the sideboard; but Flora Nc.
Flimsey, the petted child OF wealth and lux
ury, can get drunk every day, but her money
and position must muzzle the public press!
We don't propose to accept any such bribe
If there is any discrimination, let it be made
in behalf of the unfortunate gutter drunkard.
He has been accustomed to scenes of poverty
and dissipation from his youth. His fall was
easy and natural; everybody expected him to
go to the bad, and he has accepted the situa-
ton a. natural consequence. But it is not
so with the wealthy and those holding posi-
ton. They have had all the help that friends
and money could bring They are intelligent,
have been educated, and their education and
intelligence should have restraint upon their
passions. 1t is greater disgrace when one
such falls. We have right to look for bet
ter thing. in that direction. No, no, friends,
it won't do to offer soft words of apology for
such conduct.
We arc surprised that the editor Of the
Standard should give quasi endorsement to
this apology. We remember his speech in
Granite Hall, at the State convention of the
Reform Clubs, that burned with indignation
against Fashionable drunkards." Has his
views been softened by time: Is he willing
to caress the golden serpent of hell, but in
dignantly trample in the dust the poor worm
that crawls at his feet? Mr.. Pillsbury must
put or his white vest, and tell an Augusta au-
dience how it is that he has become an apollo
gist for drunkenness in high life, while he is
swift 10 condemn it in loc life. Let him take
a whole evening to do it in.
The second and remaining point in the COM
municaton, to be noticed briefly, is the threat
implying that a boot may possibly be brought
into playful activity. Some mems minds rise
no higher than their boots. When the truth
is told they will fly into u passion, threaten
ing horsewhippings, bootings, and the like.
This we have heard whispered many times.
But thanks to a kind Providence, or the cow
ardice of those who have threatened we have
always escaped. We notice that Western
editor was threatened with ''bootng" tile
other day. His antagonist met him in a dark
and the mistaken youth went away from the
editorial presence with severe drubbing and
black eye to boot.