The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-04-04
Temperance Organisations

are endeavering to reform, Every love
of the human race will bestow his gooC
wishes, and utter words of cheer and en-
couragement, upon the honest and vel
meant efforts ofthose who have been broug
to habits OF inebr iation or have become tht
votaries of strong drink, and who an hon
estly striving to break away from evi
associations and:enter upon better life.
The force Of long continued habit is one
OF the strongest chains of human bondage
and the most difficult of Ito sunder
1t requires great frmuess of purpose and
much loving assistance to withstand the
urgent calls of appetite and habit to return
to the flowing bowl. 1t is not because the
person is insensible to the consequences
that he falls away, it is the incessent aud
burning desire of physical demands which
overcomes the efforts of bis will and defes
his better judgement.
Some curious and interesting expert
ments in regard to the influence of alcohol
ic liquors upon the physical systems of
various kinds of animal life, other than the
human race. have lately fallen under our
observation, a brief summary of which
appears III the World, and which We trans
fer in this connection.
Three or four years ago an English scien-
tho man made series of experiments
with the view Of settling the lonp-mooted
question as to whether or not the beasts
that perish will take kindly to alcoholic
drinks aud sink at last into the drupkark's
grave in melancholy and dishonor. He
selected for his subjects the quiet house
hold OF cock which had never done him
any harm and in which there was no hered-
ltary tendency towards the bottle. To
the, master OF the household the tempter
came at first with ale aud light wines, and
gradually led him on step by step till at
last nothing would satisfy his aroused
appetites but the best old HeDuessy, varied
with guzzlings of Scotch whiskey. The hens,
zoo, took kindly to their computations,
though not so eagerly as the cock did, and
ere long that once happy home was like
tie residence of the late Mr.. James Lat
liner whose career has been so wildly
drawn by the great master, T, s. Arthur.
The combs and wattles of the father
swelled and grew purple like tippler's
nose; his eyes became blear and bioodshot.
his whole being was changed; he quarreled
with his wives and beat them over the
head with his spurs, and in their turn the |
wives grew reckless, cross and dumpish, |
and neglected their broods. The old |
gentleman would go to roost at all odd |
hours OF day and night, and presently fall |
srom his perch. He would crow in the |
b noS - absurd and unreasonable way: get |
tangled together, flap one wi
"hen ne meant to flap both rafuse he
meals and atlast he fell victim r. tbe
Demon OF hum BY dying in the deliyTun,
trenaens IN which he seemed to see a great
iox, Wltheyes of fire and teeth oe carving
knives, rsvening at his nest-side and ready
TO pounce upon and devour him. Twas q
sad ending but it satisfied the domains of
science that men are not alone in their love
for the intoxicating bowl
Inns taste is not confined to the verte-
pirates. Sir John Lubbock has shown that
insects have lt-indeed, are not flies. per.
petuai inmates of barrooms Sir John
Drought rum and death to ants in a drunken
oraw. he placed alcohol within reach of
some industrious work ers, aud soon they
round that they needed it to stimulate them
Tor the accomplishment of their heavy
tasks. Lille took on new color as thew
quatted; trouble fed away and presentlv
they did not care for anything. When
they were nearly helpless and stupid Sir
John meanly placed them in the nest
Where they belonged, and soon there was
sueh time as the parrot had with the
monkey. Signs of the greatest excitement
III Inc hull were seen, and anon the battle
ragged upon the plain. The drupkards
Fought as we'll as they could, but thew were
10 hatch Tor the total abstainers; they
couiu not stand straight or bite to anv
purpose; the demon had mounted to their
IA Gangla ana stolen away their ability.
Il elr heads aud legs were bitten off. and
large number OF them were dragged to a
puudie near by and ANONYMOUSLY drowned
as do example to the young, and a warn.
ing OF what they would Nave to expect
II they should ever yield to the temptation !
Oh wine, whisky, and crambambuli.
Inc religio-reform view of the question. !
which several of the prominent temner-
ance men who have visited and labored in Z
thiS city have presented and urged, is not
within our province or our experience TO =
discuss Whatever helps deep-seated re- :
hglous convictions may be to those who are =
lrylng TO escape the consequence of an in.
auigenoe In strong drink, if they are of
any essential service, they are legitimate h
means to be employed. Perhaps. in all &c
cases OF sickness and disease the FEELINGS ri
u confidence and hope in blessed immor- D,
alIty which religious belief commonly in er
spires may have soothing and beneficial Is
and in the case of pledges and de-
personal resolutions to totally cease tho fu
ise OF alcoholic beverages, for aupbt that "A.
We Know such pledges and resolutions NAV
'e strengthened and supported bv the aid r,
It deep and abiding religious faith. With u
Tue respect to such as entertain the opinion
nat religion has special and strengthen I pr
ng agency in the reformation of inehria,oo Fe
N eborIa "a Au0olldtes, Blu
'e Snoulo' Tor own part, rely much more vel
pun tue saving influence of renovated pie
hySlcal constitution, and the agency of COS
nySlcai means, than upon heavenly and -
Npofnai grace. AT the same time. anv ON
gency which is lawful. and which 10 b.oed Ing
pom principles of kindness and human pri
'sard' instead of coercion and force-anv par
sency which treats the individual az tho Gap, '
'Stlm OF an abnormal and vitiated anne,;,o =
ia not as criminal and which tends To
'Iiain anu restore him to health and use- ga
llness' will have the acquiescence if no
10 nearly support, of all lovers of h. ~,
anlty tor humanity's sake