Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-08-23
LIQUOR DRINKING.
HE PRACTICAL TALUE OF ABSTINENCE.

The distinction between temperance and
total abstinence is no longera practical one
There was time in this country in the
memory of men not yet old, when liquors
were on every sidebOard, and the conscious
scrupes against moderate drinking were
felt by few. The day of moderate drink
ing is past. Society is already divided into
two great classes: teetotalars and drunkards.
There is certainly a small class between
these two, but so small as to be practically
out of consideration. And this small class is
rapidly diminishing to zero. | am not now
iustifying this distinction. I only assert it
as a fact discernible to any one who Will
look into the condition of modern society.
Go through any community and you will
discover that the men who use alcoholic Ii
quors in any degree, beyond a strictly me-
dicinal use are such as use them to excess
ContrariWise, those who abstain from their
usein any degree abstain altogether. Doubt
less there are a few communities in which
this is not the case. But theywill invariably
be found to be such communities as are far
behind the age and do not in any consider
able measure partake of the restless ac-
tivity of our times. For such sluggish and
phlegmatic people moderate drinking may
still be safe. But this class do not represent
the present generation. The average man
of to-day is a busy man. Heis driven from
morning to night by the eager demands of
his business. He is under continual strain
of intense nervous excitement. Stimulants
can only increase this and levy heavier tax
on energiesalready over-taXed. The drink
inc habit can only result in more rapid
expense of nervous force. That which was
safe for the easy going sluggard becomes
perilous for the man who is dilligent in bus
mess. Stimulants may serve to arouse a
torpid nature, but they are as Oil poured on
fire, to the intensely nervous and active
man. And such is the man Of this genera
ton. Activity, not torpidity is the char
acteristic of our age. 1t is this intense life
of our modern times that is making temper
ance and total abstinence one and the same
thing.
TO the active man abstinence is of the
highest practical value, because it is the con-
servatiOn Of his muscular and nervous
strength. The power to do hard work is
preserved by abstinence and lost by indul-
gence. Success comes easier to the teetotal-
er than to the drinker. Take for eXemple
the lowest order of success: that which
depends on stout and sturdy muscle. The
strength which carries the hod or digs the
ditch is mainly animal strength. Ihere
is almost no demand here either for nervous
never increased by the use of alcohol. The
man who has Just swallowed his drink feels
himself stonger beyond doubt. He often
feels himself richer also; but he isn't. His
increase of wealth is delusiOn. So is his
increase of strength. We must grant that
alcohol has the charm of deluding men into
believing themselves stronger by its use;
but we must insist that the belief is delu-
sion and a snare. For if there be any pow
er in alcohol to increase animal strength
WHY don't you give it to animals? Why
not make the horse swallow his portion Of
liuuor when he is to draw an unusual load
or be driven an unusual distance: We
know this would be nonsense. But why
more nonsense to hope to add to the strength
of horses body by alcoholic stimulant
than to add to the strength ola mans?
Nor does alcohol add to ones power OF
endurance. 1t easily renders one uncon-
scious of the strain that is made on his
strength, because it stupeties the brain where
all such strain is felt and reported. The
brain is the guardian of our strength, be-
cause it notes any unfair demand made
upon it and Immediately warns against it,
But if this guardian be rendered SO insenSl-
BILE that it cannot note as usual, the injury
inflicted on the muscles, the draining of
strength does not cease because our obSer-
vatiOn of it ceases. The scottish soul may
cry out between his hiccoughs, "They have
stricken me and I.was not sick" but he is
sick nevertheless. The stroke has left its
injury though he is insensible to it. The
draught made on the physical energiesis is just
as great and greater when one is SO stupe.-
fed by stimulant as to be insensible and
Indifferent to it. What is true of mus
cular strength is none the less true of ner.
vousness and mental strength. The use Of
stimulants does not augment but rather de-
creases the chances of success in those lines
of business, which depend either on skill
or intelligence. Abstinence is not only safe
but it is roftabe.-Erchange.