The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-04-21
chronological Journal
Who Will Put Hand to the Wheel?

That tobacco grew naturally III
America, and that it was cultivated
before the discovery of Columbus, fan
north of the warm sections to which
it was indigenous, and used by the
Indians from unknown. antiquity, are
no reasons why we, the enlightened
nations of to-day, should continue its
culture and use. We did not assume
the general habits of the American
Indians, and why this odorous, per-
nicious one should have taken such
persistent hold on us, it is difficult to
divine.
Tobacco was not kindly received by
foreign monarchs when its film first
invaded the atmosphere of their king
doms. King James |. of England
issued 'Counterblaste to tobacco" in
which he described its use as "a GUS
tom loathsome to the eye, hateful to
the nose, harmful to the brain, and
dangerous to the lungs" Likening G
the fumes thereof to the horrible
stygian smoke of the bottomless pit. u
The priests and Sultans Of Turkey
declared smoking crime; the Popes
Innocent XI. and Urban VIII. poured
upon it their ecclesiastical censure.
Sultan Ammet decreed it's punish
ments by cruel deaths. Russian
authorities, early in the seventeenth
century, mutilated the noses of all
smokers. Yet at present, the Rus
slams, Turks, and persians are most
inveterate smokers; and the weed is
cultivated in Germany, Greece, Tur-
key, and various European countries
Only prohibitory laws prevent its
being raised in southern England and
Ireland.
Learned and medical men in the
intervening time have brought fire.
quent testimony against its use; edu-
Gators and reformers have spoken
derogatorily of the practice Of chew
ing, smoking and snuffing, denouncng
it as useless, poisonous and degrading
still the annual amount of tobacco
raised in the United States is estimated
at 270,O00,000 pounds.
The air Of America to-day is often
dank with its clinging, empyreumat,
ical odor. On the streets, in carriages
cars, and drawing-rooms it salutes
nostrils and per1neates lungs that find
every fume Of it nauseous, in spite OF
the fact that association has apparently
rendered it unobjectionable to the
masses. The fact is pitiable and the
remedy unbound. We must take the
air, heavy as we find it, for we can not
rid it of its present bane; but may
we not sweeten it for coming genera
tions? May we not keep the young
pure? knowing that, while the prac-
tice of using tobacco is prejudicial to
persons of all ages, it is hurtful in the
greatest degree to systems that have
not obtained full maturity. Let us
reach out helping hand to our boys
Those who sell or present children
with tobacco are more culpable than
they imagine. They implant the
germ of habit which counsel in the
other direction would often ward of
until ripened judgment inspired them
with higher aims.
have been sadly grieved by seeing
mere nurselings, nine or ten years old
with cigars in their little mouths
Why not shield them with protect.
i've pledge?
With sigh to disturb its sanctity
and warmed by desire to help othel
mothers, draw the curtain aside ant
disclose a sacred pledge that hang
framed in blue and gilt in my boudoir
1t reads:
! II solemnly promise my dear mother, that by tn
help of God. and guarded by her prayers, will neve
/ smoke, chew, or use tobacco in any form.
ELLIS p. OBERHOLTZER.
VICKERs OBERHOLTZER.
'FNrther. That will never willingly rear, trade IL
| or distribute the useless and obnoxious weed.
ELLIS Z. ORERHoLTZER.
VICKERs OBRRHOLTZER.n
This pledge is wholly personal an
sacred, and | know it will be KEEP
We have another, recently formed
which we circulate among our youn
friends, and to which we have alread