Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-21
The House then adjourned.
INTEMPEKANCE IN MAINE.
NeV Piece Whtch Are Taking the Place of
Ram Drinking.
Boston Post.

IDOSGOu fOSC.
A recent address of Gov. Gracelon before
the Maine temperance convention calls atten-
ton to various kind Of intemperance whieh
have generally escaped attention of reformers
in that State. He has been many years an emil
nent physician of large practice and close
observer of the habits of the people. He spoke
of the use of tobacco as an increasing evil, es-
pecially among the young, the tendency of
which is to cultivate an appetite for stronger
stimulants, besides being deleterous in itself
In addition to chewing and smoking, he says
snuff-dipping is becoming almost universal.
As he added himself, this fact many are ignor-
ant of, and excites surprise. The use of opiates
has also increased IN an alarming extent.
Many man, he says, has appeared upon the
stand advocating temperance who had in his
pocket bottle of laudanum or black drops,
which pave the way to an early grave The
lady, too, carries chloroform and ether to mois-
ten her handkerchief with which to allay
nervous excitment. As a practising physician
and observer of human nature, he placed all
these forms of intemperance in the same
category with the Incorporate Of spiritu-
GUS liquors, all of which demand correction.
Such views were very timely, and all the
more needful from the fact that the temper
ance reformers have confined their efforts too
closely to but phase of the great evil and,
as rule, prescribed but one remedy for that.
They have proceeded too much upon the ground
that if they could prohibit the sale of intoxi-
eating drinks there would be no more drunk
enness and the work Of reform would be com
plete. Hence hanging rumsellers has been ad-
vocated as the suitable penalty for their Of
lenses and as the appropriate remedy for in
temperance. This is Gen. Neal BOWS specific,
and his views are potential on the subject.
In view of Gov. Garcelon's disclosures there is
a demand for something more effective than
the hand of the executioner. Or, if that is to
intemperance, and is efficient, it should be
prescibed for the dealers in opium and tobacco.
There can be no question that opium eating
has increased to fearful extent. Not long
since from Staunton, Va, conference of
druggists reported that the ratio of increase of
sales in 1877 over 1876 was IS per cent, in 1877
over the preceding year GA per cent, and in
1875 over the preceding year so per cent. That
was in another section Of the country, and
was thought to be peculiar characteristic of
the Shenandoah valley. But we will venture
the assertion that the percentage of increase in
Maine has been quite as large, and
that the sales of druggists is
nee the prohibitory Legislation has
the change from the use of Intoxicating liquors
to opium is far from being an improvement.
Gov. Garcelon has done the people good
service by directing attention to new channels
of inquiry. If followed up it will be found
that the Maine law has not been the grand
instrument of reform claimed in its behalf.
and that, after all that can be said and done
to correct personal and social evils, nothing
will be found so effective as good example and
an appeal to the higher nature of the indiyid-
ual and society.