The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-08-21

Inllantnropny ana DcneNOlence,
have no higher mission in this age,
than to reach down the helping hand,
aud raise the inebriate from his low
and helpless condition, and restore him
to citizenship. Fortunately, this is n
work in which all denominations OF
christians. the sinner and the ungodly,
and even the inebriates themselves can
work in harmony. Mutual benefit and
self protection, is becoming more and
more the motive for action, and tins
when guided by intelligence and due
appreciation Of the true danger Of the
situation, will render the present move
ments being made throughout the
country, almost invincible.
Two thousand years OF the unre-
strained use Of alcoholic stimulents,
have transformed almost without ex-
ception, what might have been peace
ful and prosperous lands into nations
OF drunkards; and to-day in all the
habitable globe. the image of God is
seen reeling under the influence Of it's
dire effects. Our own land is not ex-
empt from the curse, and on account
Of certain causes il may be said we suf-
fer most of all. Sixty Thousand die
annually in the United States alone in
this unholy warfare, aud the recruits
necessary TO ill up the decimated ranks
caused by the death OF victims 10 tins
diabolical system, number at least n
million more. All along the struggling
line Of march, a wall OF uDguish comes
up from the depths of millions Of ach-
ing hearts, aud pauperism, crime.
wretchedness, famine, pestilencs and
death, the ultimate inheritance Of all
within this malstrom Of human destruc-
tion. Few indeed are the households
in this land that can claim exemption
from tribute In some manner 10 this
overshadowing evil. IL Is not only the
skeleton that inhabits our closets, but
10 marches In az our front doors, takes
a seat in the family circle, and is son.e-
times found kneeling at our family al
ters. No place so holy, no privacy
80 profound as TO escape the spectural
intrusion Of this physical, mental and
moral menstrosity.
In casting about for causes incident
10 these deplorable results, we find the
love OF money an important factor
Many considerations enter into every
stage Of the manufacture and sale Of
intoxicating liquors, from the time the
moral christian old gentleman delivers
his grain 10 the distillery until the re-
taller pockets his four or FIVE hundred
per cent. profit, at the expense Of his
victimized customer. The market
value OF high wines made from grain is
about quadruple that Of the grain it
self, giving a net profit Of at least two
hundred per cent. These figures will
rule generally; but especially so in re-
gions OF our productive west, remote
from direct lines Of transportation,
making a fair market for what would
otherwise be nominal in value and for
this reason, a distillery IN the locality
Of this kind is regarded a great bless
ing. The smoke of this torment soon
makes its impression, and IL n blessing
II must be blessing very much dis
guised.
Millions Of money is invested in this
worse than useless business, and bill
lions change hands annually in thi.
traffic. yielding larger profit on Tia,
investment IN every department, thar
is known 10 any other commercia
transaction among men. Government
taxes for revenue are pretty heavy
Hillsdale county adds two or thre,
thousand dollars every year 10 her con
tingent fund 10y this means; aud con
tingencies growing out of the trafi,
cost the county from four To six time
the amount, very fair sample of run
economy generally.
Our apple orchards Weld abundan
supplies Of hard cider, and this, con
stitutes the primary school OF drunken
ness 10 the rural districts. Scores O
men IN Hillsdale county, now confirm
ed inebriAtes, took thjer first lesson b.
slipping cider IN the home circle Blu
for this they might now be sober mer
and useful members Of society Wit
these abundant sources Of supply. an
the fascinating arts made use OF for il
, sale, the people are continually brouRh
face 10 face with the demon, and NOR
or less must fall.
Unlike all things else the suppl
creates the demand, aud manufactui
ers and sellers, are careful that
corner shall not occur ia the a,
mand for whisky; and in fact the
manage the business SO adroitly, tbs
hardly a corner exists in the laud vheI
! 10 cannot be obtained. Merccnary ms
.ives Hood every nook and corner
the land with the villainous stuh. an
every town and hamlet supplies me
sufficiently enterprisipg % furnish
guided palace-Or a low dive -as bei
suits them, to decoy the unsuspeciin
p 10 ruin. IL public sentiment accord
this class Of men an honorable positiu
in society. that sentiment is deprave
and needs correcting They are par
sites on the body p ilitic, and their bu
mess Ia criminal, AID If moral suasio
fails 30 ''reconstrust' them, let thei
be "conciliatod" by punishment will
out mercy.
The drinking Of Alcoholic stimuleni
is also a crime AMI be who drinks
: ever so seldom--c0mmits erin
, against himself and the commonwealth
, The law makes intoxicatiOn puI
; ishable offense, bat this should be =,
! versed. Crime consists ia an act, am