Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-08-14
Is TIE "opruM rvrr~ rscRE.s1ss I

10 THE "oPIuM EvIL-' iEcREAsIEef
We dcucs very much it there is due
realization by The peop,e Of the extent Il
opium-eating and opium. smoking in our
midst. II is Tar more extensively prac-
ticed "evii /" than is generally supposed.
We have been convinced thai. the general
public is Ill informed on this matter, aEd
do not hesitate to admit that the press
of the State has not PRESENTED the
facts 10 the strongest Highland they need
no more forcible presentation than per.
fectly clear and unvarnished statements.
Neither press nor citizens. however,
have Intentionally evaded the matter.
There has been no attempt in any quarter,
we believe, to suppress the facts, but
rather failure to realize the necessity for
action. The truth is, that the people have
considered, to q great extent, the agitation
of the PAST on this subject, feeble as it has
been, as but one of the collaterals of the
Chinese question, charge made to give
point and force to anti Chinese arguments.
rather than allegations, which, if true, in
volved very seriously the welfare of society
in another direction.
There would seem now to be no doubt
that there is an involvement of society in
this matter Of the "opium habit" as it is
technically called, which can no longer be
ignored. 1t has too long been treated in a
feeble forcible way by the law and public
sentiment. Some recent inquiries on this
subject have convinced us that there is at
least need for very thorough investiga.
ton by competent authority, and the pos.
sible enactment of such laws aa are within
the proper scope of the legislative branch
of the government Is will tend to check
the evil and finally wholly eradicate tiff
that be possible.
While there is no necessity at this timefo
entering upon q consideration of the issue
whether or not the desired end can be at.
tanned by legislation under our form and
system of government-leaving it an open
question as to the best policy to be pursued
by society in stamping ont this "evil" of
appetite-yet, as the authorities in this
State have undertaken to check the vice
complained of, there is or should be no
question concerning the rigorous enforce
ment of such laws as we already have.
1t has been generally supposed that the
class addicted to the practice OF opium.
smoking was almost wholly Of that char.
acter that is ''good radiance to society
when the victims die in their misery. In
the past this has been true, in the main,
but now the relentless evil is manifesting
disposition to grasp others-men, women
and youths cannot well be spared to
society, and whose practice Of the vice is
putting additional burdens upon it. There
are few in the community thor.
oughly well.informed as to the
facts, and these do not hesitate, when
once induced to speak on the subject, to
declare that we are storing up food for
future misery and regret The enforce.
ment of local statutes has, to great ex.
tent, broken up the regular houses where
the drug was furnished and the means sup
piled for enjoying it, but such regulations
have not sufiiced to check the practice of
opium smoking itself. They have simply
| driven the vice to more secret methods
in its progress, and led to the introduction
Of the opium Layout" into the private
room. 1t is not necessary now to enter
upon citation of the evidences that Justify
| these representation the present it is
sufficient to throw out the suggestion that
the opium "evil y has passed beyond the
realm of the Chinese question, and de.
mands consideration from far more i'm.
portant standpoint. Fortunately, as yet,
the vice is mainly confined to the disrepu.
table classes, and although it has recently
given evidence, as already remarked, of
attaching with its merciless grasp to those
! in whose welfare society has mora con-
cernment, the terrible habit has not As yet,
we think, made such inroads in that direc.
ton IS to awaken to alarm the general
public, and it is for that very reason that
in the present we should find the best time
for action, on the principle that ga stitch
in time saves nine." It is well for us to
remember that danger cones the sooner
-whsn Il fz despised," as Laberius puts it,
and as another ancient philosopher says,
He is safe from danger who is on hi.
guard even when SAFE"
1t is probable that the State and local
Boards of Health have the means at com.
mand to thoroughly enlighten the public
as to all the facts relative to the growth
and dangers of the "evil.n From such
sources statements or the subject would
come with great force, and suggestions
with the additional weight chat competent
authority gives. If these 1edies can as.
sure the public that the " evil is not
making rapid progress, that it does not
threaten to become serious question in
the economy of our systems of municipal
| government, that it has not taken on new
forms, or at least grown in directions not
heretofore regarded as probable. it will be
great relief, and a gratifying assurance
but from the facts as understood by very
many, no such showing is at all likely to
result from official investigation, and that
we will find it an imperative duty to apply
to the opium demon the advice Shakespeare
puts into the mouth of Brutus when speak.
ing of Cesar
Think him rs Q serpent's egg,
Which hatch'd, would, as his kind, grow mis-.
chieyous
Aud kill him in the she'll"
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