The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-03-13
Our Young People
MADE UP FROM THE BEST CLIPPINGS.
For the Citizen.
Two Evils.

The subject of strong drink is
much hackneyed. 1t is dilated on
by the press, by the clergy and by
orators from every quarter. And
not unfrequently we have thrust at
us the most frightful statistics show
ing the magnitude and effects of in
temperance. We receive many
warnings to beware of the alluring
goblet, and are often terrified with
the descriptions the pen gives OF
the anguish and distress, the awful
horror and destruction that attend
those that follow in the train of the
votaries of Bacchus. We hear the
relormer lift up his voice against
the demon alcohol, and bid the err
ing ones release the delusion which
they have grasped and say to them,
''Turn, We, at my reproof." All this
we consider well enough. We ap
preciate every effort at temperance
reform. But there is another evil,
and as it is one of significance we
hardly see how it is so often ex-
cused by those who are conspicuous
in denouncing the evils of the world.
No voice is UPlifted against it. We
hear no warning cry. No effort Is
being made to curb its progress.
We do not pretend to rank this evil
with that of drunkenness, for as
compared with that it holds y sec
ondary place. But we do insist
that as a necessity to the success of
the temperance cause that this evil
first be dethroned. We refer to the
use of tobacco. 1t is pernicious
habit, and numbers it's victims
by the thousands. Clergymen,
pressmen, and almost every other
man, and especially those who crave
to be men, use tobacco. EXcep-
tons are rare, and as a sequence but
few are left to advocate the primer
pies of reform. For how dare any
man stand up as a moral reformer,
when in his own conduct he com
mends to his fellow-creatures that
which is a direct violation of the
principles of morality?
Of course there are many who de-
fend themselves in the habit of to-
bacco using by claiming that 1t is
or that its use Is, to a
certain degree, attended with bene-
fetal results. But excuses of this
kind come only from those who are
hard pushed for excuses. All can
did thinking people admit that to-
bacco is harmful, and the fact is
well authenticated that its use is at
tended with pernicious effects on
the various departments of the hu-
man organism and not unfrequently
creates a desire for strong drink.
If the use of tobacco is physically
wrong and leads to intemperance it
must of a necessity be morally
wrong. A habit which is both
physically and morally wrong should
be discountenanced. Knowing the
facts alone, leaving out
the consideration of the atrocious
habit of splitting, which always &C
companies the use of tobacco and is
bad for the health, and taking no
need of it as useless, filthy habit,
lOr of its effects on society, nor OF
,he time and money involved in its
use, there is no ingenious person
)ut will admit that the welfare Of |
he human family would be much |
increased if, in relation to tobacco,
hey would obey the mandate which
says: Touch not, taste not, handle
lot."
We wish that every slave to the
weed could be persuaded to adopt
he decision and practice of John
}. Adams. He said, II have often
Wished that every individual of the
human race afflicted with this arti
Icial passion, could prevail on him
elf to try but for three months the
which / have made;
ure that 1t would burn every acre
f tobacco land into a wheat field.
nd add ten years OF longevity to
he average of human life"
PETE THORN.
Cboai CreaE March IQ7Q