The Russellville Democrat., 1885-12-17

the diseases he is called to minister to IS caused directly or indirectly, by the use of intoxicating liquorsS How many of the prominent and leading mem mbers of the profession are to day the open and avowed ad- vocates of temperance as their great predecessors were? How does their present position correspond with the resolution of the Massachusetts Med ical Society passed many years ago in favor of abstinence, accompanied with the expressed opinion that the best drink for man IS water? In the present attitude of the question as to the common and medical use of alco- holic liquors, the leading and intluen- tial members of the great profession can not properly discharge their du- ty by silence and inaction. We in yoke their powerful voice in the service and promotion of a radical temperance reformation.
 Is there an intelligent and lmpar- tlal judge sitting upon the bench of any court of general jurisdiction who does not know that large proportion of all the crimes with which these courts have to deal result from the use of intoxicating liquors? Such is the universal testimony of all such magistrates, both in this country and in England.
 Is there political economist, or any man accustomed to examine so cial statistics, who does not know that the chief cause of poverty and want in our community is intemper- ance? Is there statesman accus- toned to consider the causes of na tional wealth and prosperity on the one hand, and national degradation on the other, who does not know that the consumption by this nation of $500, ,000,00 worth ofintoxicating liquors, is the greatest obstacle to it's moral and material prosperity2 Does he not know that the nation would be richer and far happier if that vast sum of money should annually be sunk In the bottom Of the ocean, with no return, rather than that 1t should be expended. as it now is?
 If there is still within the limits of this commonwealth clergyman of any denomination who uses any kind of intoxicating llquor as beverage, we commend to his prayerful consid eration this language found in an ad dress from members of the church of England to their brethren of the same church "We abstain ourselves because we believe that the drunk cnness which prevails may be traced back to moderate drinking as it's great cause. We are convinced that moderate 6ringing. end not drunken ness, only supports the traffic. The traffic tends to foster drunkenness, and drunkenness produces bodily misery, social degradation, and spir- itual death. So long as drink is sup piled there will be drunkenness. Which is most in accordance with common sense, to supply the cause, and labor in voices to secure the ef feet, or to get rid of the effect through the banishment of the cause? And we have found from observation and experience, the imposslbility of exer- cising our effcctual influence over other classes without setting them this example"
 The experience of these English clergymen as to the lmpossibility of wine drinkers being able to exert any restraining or reforming influence over the drinkers of beer and brandy has been verified in this country a thousand times. Alcohol is essen italy the same, whether found in the choicest wines of France or in the coarser products of the vineyards of California; in the beer manufac tured in Boston, Berlin or London, or in gin, whisky, rum or brandy, wherever manufactured. And that man, be he clergyman or layman. who, in the present state of knowl- edge and prevalent sentiment on this subject, is unwilling to practice so much self as to abstain from the lighter of these intoxicating beverages, must we fear, despair of being able by whatever else he may say or do, to promote any genuine or permanent temperance among his fellow men.-Judge Aldrick.