The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-03-13
KING ALCOHOL DEFENDED.
Arguments against Restrictive Lesislation-
Use aud Abuse Of stimuinuts.

DIR. Henry A. HART lectured In Steinway
Hall last evening on the liquor question, TAX
ing the ground that the making and sale OF al
coholic liquors should not be restricted by legis-
lation. The crusade against drunkenness, he
said. originated with a few peasants in small
village in New York State. and the enthusiasm
spread rapidly. In their desire to eradicate the
sin of drunkenness. with its melancholy train
of evils. the champions of temperance confound
essential distinctions. remorselessly trample
upon the records of universal experience, mis-
interpret the Judgment of Scripture. and distort
the instructions of science. In all times the ne
ccssies Of mat = physical nature have assorted
themselves Prominent among the claims Of
his nature has always been the demand for
stimulautS and resOrntlves. III IL significant,
the Doctor said that the first instance i'm which
the mention of wine Is made is in that part of
the Bible which describes the life Of Noah Just
after the deluge, when the noble old patriarch
lies PROSTATE under its potent influence after he
has escaped dcaih 10y water
All through the Hebrew Scriptures reference
IL made TO wine ~ II blessing. The wine that
Christ made at the wedding feast in Cana we
are told was uuicrmented wine. II Is incon-
crvablc to me that any man VINO has thorough
Nv examined the subject could for moment
entertain ~ unwarrantahlr nm ASSUMPTION.
The uniermcntcd mice Of the grape is IN in
sipid beverage. diffieult II not impossible to
preserve for any length of time. Of no special
advantage IA an article Of food. and utterly
worthless for medicinal purposes; 1t i n libel
the caricaturc ~ medicine for his stomachs
SAKE and for his often lnilrmiles.
A celebrated Psychologist has asked why
man In perfect health should have recourse to
stimuant-. Let me ask. where can u man he
found who is for any length Of timo in perfect
h"aithY The human organism is constantly
undergoing process Of degeneration and re-
pair. and is therefore. never for two con
condition. Mankind will never be per per-.
suad"d to renounre a restorative so con-
N"nient and inyieoraiing gs alcohol. II
there Is one thing cOnclusively settled in the
practice Of medicine. il il the efficacy of this
remedy IN arrcstng the rayages of typhus and
other malignant fevcrs, and in huOying M the
system under tho shock Of severe wounds and
injuries. II has in a moment changed the abode
of sorrow and gloom into paradise OF inde-
The lecturer went into an exhaustive exami-
nation " the claims of the medical faculty in
behalf ~ alcohol as "a remedial agent. and then
called alcohol a gift Of God exalted 10y Him TO
M iirsi rank among earthly suhstlnccs. and
iltt"i 10 Suhserye the highest and dearest in
teresis Of mankind. But. he said. in closing
in proportion 10 our appreciation Of It's i'm
portgn'c anl worth, must I've our ahhorrcnce Of
been perverted from III benevolent design and
made ia" direful source of unspeakahle calam-
iii"s. II has long bccn III" custom tg treat this
l"rNrrsion WIN unNccuuntahlc lcnity and
indulgence, ~ though II were the
sign of m amiahe weakness or unlu'ky
predispositon transmitted from past gone
ruions. II has bacon mudo the subject Of guilty
merrim"nt. II Il tlme for change. tim" 10
eth d"soHtc, and begin ~ regard II rs a wilful,
unreasonable crime. without pnlation and
without excuse. Their" II no more ground Of
complaint against alcohol. rs n source Of temp
tutinu, than AGAINST tu" uSagt- and Institutions
of Socirty that IRE pleaded in cXtcnuution for
the crimes of theft md murder
II alcohol Is 70 deadly poison. ita sale should
not b" ~unfionel vs. tn State under any limita-
lions. II. on tn" other hand il Is Pleasant ro-
SioriiiV" nnl an accessory To- food. every man
has ih" inleIeus bile ri-ht tu sell d. and all dis
eliminating legislation upon the iruifl' Is an In
lriug'mrni urnu national r.aht and u viola
ton of tl' ~ rod .hari"r of liberty AMI equality
upon which This Government IT, hr-'d.
Tho yr" eHis ~ Dr. Harris To- fure arc to he
add.,l ,o Nh" und for thu proposed lIo-ldtHl for
the Treatment gnd Cur n Chronic Diseases.