The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-11-13
MODERATE DRINKING.
Suggested by q Few Remarks upon the
Same, by the Eminent Rsformer, DR..
Henry A, Reynolds.

Henry 4. Esyaolds.
ny s. Al.
EDITOR BuLLETIN:--The above is an
expression, embracing an idea that has
proved a delusion and 0 snare to thou
sands. Everyone who has had any ex-
pcrlence In life knows that moderate
drinking Is scarcely hating place on
the high road to intemperance, which Is
a melancholy turnpike paved with crush
ed hopes, shattered fortunes, lost honor,
CHASTITY skeletons and broken hearts. and
is watered by bitter tears of miserable
parents, wretched wives, desolate wi.
dows and ruined orphans. The indlvid.
ual who commences to drink
Is In danger, and examples which make
the assertion trulsm are to
be met every day OF the year,
and in every city. town and
village In the land. Like other vicious
practices, it is loathsome to the uncon-
taminated, but familiarity DISCUSSES Its
deformity and reconcles the frail to its
contact. Who would be drunkard! Is
question which is promptly answered
by inexperienced youths; and how many,
who Indignantly repudiate the idea, are
in few years, and frequently in few
months, oyertaken by the destiny which
seems to them to be impossible: The
"vice Is monster Of such hideous main,
As TO be hated needs but to be seen
But seen TOO of familiar with its face,
Wsfirst endure, then pity, then embrace"
And multtudss have sadly realized
each line of the graphic picture.
Temperance societies no doubt do
much good and avert much evil, but their
efforts seem to be spasmolic. The
struggle for the preservation OF irall hui
manity, to be successful must be continu.
Gus and untiring, or It ia, too frequently,
but cloves labor lost" The evil OF in
temperance Is said to be on the increase,
and statistics arc quoted which establish
The fact that it is encompassing in It's foul
embrace large numbers OF the iairer and
gentler portion OF the human family.
Not only among the poor, the ignorant,
and the unfortunately is extending to
the more refined, the ell ucatcd, and
wealthy. This assertion Is badly made,
but an array OF facts are displayed which
compel conviction and suggest serious
reflection. A State Temperance Conven,
ton, held Mt Harrisburg, Pa, not many
years ago, presents In its report the fol.
lowing official records Of applications for
entry into the Inebriate Asylum OF New
York:
Juuges.............. ............ ............
NeTClants.., ........"..,...'.' ZiO
Phy slclans...., .."..,,,,............,..... I'D
Northumberland" '....,..,...,... 24O
Rich mems daughters. ...................l400
Total, .,"......"....""..".2,lU luz
This Is certainly terrific record, and
1t appeals to every friend Of humanity to
unite in restraining, II 1t cannot be de.
stroyed, an influence which is so fraught
with evil to the whole race. "GOOd wine"
as Sage says, may with some be good
familiar creature, but there Is danger,
tieachery and death in Its familiarity,
while its victims have too much reason
to excaim with Cassie.
| Every inordnate cup IL unblessel,
| And the ingredient ID n devll.'
Temperance societies are commenda,
BILE Institutions; they have done and Will
continue to do much good, as will also
asylums, such as are referred to IN New
Y ork, but the great remedy for the evil
Is home influence. Precept and practice
should 90 hand.in-hand; the seeds Of
vice should never be suffered to appear
| in the garb OF virtue, or permitted to
contaminate minds only too prone to
receive it. Wheat will not grow from
tares any more than abstinence is likely
to result from habits of indulgence.
While it is true that laws are inadequate to
eradicate the evil complained Of, it can
not be denied that its influence would be
greatly circumScrlbed with proper do
nestle example and considerate restraint.
| CAIRO, Ills, Nov. u, 1877.