The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-15
TEMPERANCE DEPARTMENT.
Horror Of Intoxication.


The stage of drunkenness, if not the
brother of death-of sleep-approaches
toward man atoningly, and can unfortu-
nately still surpass itself and lose on the
already blunted' senses yet more Of sensi-
bility. The relations of the outward
world and the consciousness of the same
become weaker and weaker. The higher
grade of drunkenness is delirium joined
with insanity that makes man more
dangerous to himself than others. Speech
becomes an incomprehensible babbling,
because the heavy drinker has as little
power over his tongue as he has over his
limbs. His face presents a burning glow;
his whole appearance, especially the con-
yulsive protrusion of the eyes, with their
staring expression, indicate the un-
naturally exalted condition in which he
finds himself.
why Neal Dow Became a TeetotaIer.
Iasked General Dow how long he had
been identified with the temperance
movement. He said over forty years
ever since 1910.
GLOW did you come to go into ita"
81 will tell You," he said. ''My wife
had brother. he was employed in the
postofice in Portland. He was most
efficient official, and on account of his
ability was greatly valued. But he was
hard drinker, and every now and then
would 60 off on a spree for a week at a
time. Hehad large family of interest
ing children dependent upon him. I
knew ttat, however good an officer he
was when sober, his drinking habits would
soon cause him to lose his place. I
found out that there was only one place
in Portland where be could 60 to drink.
Some of his friends told me that if
could get that rum seller to refuse to sell
liquor to him he would not get drunk.
! went to this rum seller and told him
the story. I explained to him how it
was necessary for the salvation of this
man and his family that he should stop
giving him liquor. He replied: 'It is
my business to sell rum. +, too, have a
family dependent upon me. 1 cannot
refuse to sell to any one that comes along,
and I do not want any advice from you
rs to how I shall conduct my business. =
''Then," said General Dow, tT turned on
him, and replied: So you support your
family by destroying other families.
Well, so help me God, I intend to live
long enough to put your traffic down. "
From that moment General Dow has de-
voted the greater part of the energies of
his life to putting what he calls the grog
uhops DOWN.. G. Crawford, in Mw
York World.
Alcohol Consumption In France.
The attention of the French Legisla-
ture was, short time ago, drawn to the
largely increased consumption of alcohol
in France, and the advisability of devils
ing measures for restricting that con-
sumption. The Chambers, previous to
adopting any decision in the matter, re-
quested the Academy of Medicine to ex-
anime the subject, and offer whatever
Buggestions or observations it might
think it useful to make. In consequence,
a report has been drawn up which, if it
lis to be relied upon, is calculated to ex-
cite alarm for the future of France. Ac-
cording to this report it appears that
within the last forty years the consump-
lion Of spirits in that country has just
doubled. Wine is much less drunk than
it used to be. The production Of brandy
has sensibly diminished; but liquors
of all kinds, distilled from grain,
beetroot and potatoes, have taken
its place; and even that popular stimu-
liant, absinthe, as well as rum and kirsch,
are manufactured with alcohols that
have not been rectifed. The evil, there
fore, to which the academy has directed
its attention assumes double character; !;
since not only is an excess Of alcohol
consumed, but there is marked depre-
citation in its quality, The academy,
moreover, dwells upon the detrimental
effect produced on the French character,
which is being Influenced by the pcrni-
cious quality of the spirits consumed.
Frenchmen, we are told-especislly
Parisians are rapidly losing that light
hearted gayety which used to distinguish
them, and are displaying the qualities
that follow in the wake Of drunkenness.
This change in character is, above all,
perhaps, attributable to the constant
drinking of absinthe, the disastrous ef-
fects of which are known to every one.
London Standard.
Mrs. CleveIand's Views on Temper.
ance.
Mrs. A. NJ. Crow, of Littleton, W. Va,
wrote to Mrs. Cleveland, asking
her advice as to joining the Good Tenn
plars and signing the temperance pledge.