Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-21
Rsw V1ces Witch ATe Taking the Place of
Rum Drinking.
Boston Post.

recent address of Gov. Gracelon before
the Maine temperance convention calls atten-
ton to various kind of intemperance which
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-
peoially among the young, the tendency of
stimulants, besides being deleterious 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 early grave. The
lady, too, carries chloroform and ether to mois-
ten her handkerchief with which to allay
nervous excitment. As 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 one phase of the great evil and,
Is 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 Dow's specific,
and his views are potential on the subject.
In view of Gov. Garcelon's disclosures there is
demand for something more effective than
the hand of the exeoutioner. Or, if that is to
be the accepted agent for curing one kind of
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 95 per cent, in 1877
over the preceding year "a per cent, and in
1875 over the preceding year 80 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
been in vogue will 80 show. If such is the fact,
the change from the use of Intoxicating liquors
to opium is far from being an improvement.
Gov. Garcelon has done the people a good
service by directing attention to new channels
Of inquiry. IF followed up it will be found
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 80 effective as good example and
an appeal to tn higher nature of the individi
ual and society. T5siss'