The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1877-10-25
From the Cincinnati Tims
DRUNKENNESS.
Methodist Preachers Discuss Coercive
Measures for the Prevention of the Evil
Whipping Post as Useful Method
Suggested.

e66CosSN'
The Methodist Preachers meeting oc-
CURED yesterday. Rev. Mr. Lee in the
chair, and Rev. p. X. Baker as Secretary.
The Rev. Mr. Bowers conducted the de
votional exercises. The order of the day.
the discussion of the subject Should
legal coercion be applied in the restraint
of the drunkard p was next taken up.
Rev. Ridgaway, the appointee for open
ing the discussion being absent a mum
Der of volunteer speeches were made.
Mr.. Lee felt very much like certain
brother, who was excellent in putting the
finish upon a subject in class-meeting
He had no very clearly defined ideas up
on coercive measures in the treatment Of
drunkards. He thought that legal re-
straint should not be put upon the drunk
ard, except in instances where he made a
public display of himself upon the streets.
Then, he thought, the strong arm of the
law should be interposed for the protec-
tion OF society and promotion of order
Mr.. Baker had given the subject care
ful thought and prayeriul consideration,
during the past two weeks. in hopes OF
being able to solve the problem OF the
proper treatment of the drunkard. he
had paced his study in agony OF mind,
but he could not see his way out of the
labyrinth Of doubt and perplexity. He
had been strong in temperance princi-
Piles from his earliest recollection, and
during his ministerial life, he had advo-
Gated strongly total abstinence views.
He needed more light in deciding upon
the present subject. He dPplored the
variety OF methods in operation, many OF
which were Numerically opposite, in
If hn ms
ten. The various workers seemed to be
in disagreement as to the best plans to be
pursued. Some were prohibitionists; !"
some were restrictionists some we're
in favor of moderation; some were "mor-
nj suasionists" More union OF efforts
was needed to secure the desired end
He hoped that God would raise up some
man qualified to unite these diverse ele-
ments in a vigorous warfare upon King
Alcohol. Mr.. Runyan believed that so
ciety had the inherent and inalienable
right to protect itself A drunken man
is practically an insane man, and should
be placed in close confinement where he
would be removed from temptation and
have associations favorable to thorough
reformation. He considered a drunken
man essentially an insane man. He should
be placed in an asylum where healthful
influences would restore him to a normal
condition. The money now expended
in conducting criminal processes should
be applied to supporting asylums for inc
briates. Mr.. Hyper regarded drunken.
ness in most instances a vice and a crime,
and justly amenable to the law. He cit
ed cases of men who under the influence
of liquor. had dreadfully abused their
families, and who, by a little exercise OF
will power. might have maintained abso-
lutte sobriety. For men that could keep
sober, but from sheer viciousness would
not, he advocated strong legal measures.
Let them be heavily fined closely conin-
ed, and, if necessary, given term in the
penitentiary. A good thrashing some.
times will do man immense good. He
thought the wicked desire Of stimulant
could in many cases be successfully
whipped out of q man. Too much sym.
pathy had been extended to the drunk
ard. A premium had been put upon
criminality. The drunkard had been
patted upon the shoulder, and called a
good fellow, and excused on the ground
of weakness" 1t was time to reprobate
drunkenness, end appeal to a mans re.
sponsibility and conscience.
Mr.. Rishiell said that drunkenness had
become not only criminal, but an unnIit-
. igated nuisance and pest. lie thought
that the law should take cognizance Of it
in a summary legal procedure. He cited
a case that came under his observation
recently in a street car, where a drunken
man had made the air pestilential with
the foul fumes of alcohol and tobacco
He thought the man who would imbrute
himself with strong drink, and affiliate
with the swine in the gutter, should be
execrated and branded as an enemy to
his species and common decency. 1t was
time that the idea. largely prevalent
that a drunkard was "a pretty good fell
low" should be branded as On outrageous
falsehood, and that the correct estimate
OF beast should be substituted.
Mr.. Ridgaway making his appearance
just at this juncture, was called to the
platform, as the regularly appointed
speaker.
He drew clearly defined distinction
between drunkenness as a disease and
drunkenness as a vice. He thought that
in ninety-nine cases out of hundred it
was altogether a vice. 1t should be treat
ed as other vices, such as stealing, &c.-
The law should be brought directly to
bear upon it. He read an extract from a
distinguished English physician, show
ing that drunkenness. in nearly every in
stance, was a vice. and should be placed
in the same category as other vices.
Rev. Ridgaway advocated prison disci
pline as the best reformative measure for
drunkenness A man addicted to strong
drink shosld not only be placed in close
in a penal institution, but
be compelled TO pursue some trade for
the defrayment of the expenses of his