National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-13

profits. AS soon as the supply increases
the public will discover through the com
petition OF trndesmen that sound
wine, as n daily beverage, Is as cheap
as and more wholesome than tea
and coffee. This time is close upon
us and, in anticipation Of the day, the state
officers Of California, having In charge for
the people public questions affecting this
industry,are before you praying your atteu-
ton to their demands for such notifications
Of law as their interests demand. | feel
confident that their representations willnot
pass unheeded by country which will not
be the first to take step backward In the
course Of civilization.
This is not matter OF enthusiasm. The
achievements Of other states encourage us
to believe that we are not alone In our
hopes and estimates Of what is good for the
people. My observation OF the work OF
other countries, obtained during my later
years, convinces me that the development
Of viticulture In this country under Just
laws framed for the protection Of all clti-
zens, rich and poor will prove to he an I'M
mixed good and blessing needing no
apology for its existence.
In this connection, so far as the simple
question of commercial and Industrial I'm
portance is concerned, II is interesting to
make known to what extent the industry is
felt in other countries where IL Is publicly
and privately honored.
In France the beneficial influence Of the
vine on industry, public morals, and ma
tional strength Is nowhere doubted. have
Travelled many hundreds OF miles through
vineyards, and found everywhere evidences
of prosperity, good order, patriotic senti-
ment, and, what is to q free country OF vast
importance, profitable and healthful oGcu-
patton for millions ofpeople. There have
seen country in which, as Is truly spoken
by DR.. Guyot, the most celebrated author
ity on the subject that has lived in his time,
gagged in viticulturc and its accessory
Industries, with n product Of wines
reaching to an average annual vintage Of
1900, 0O0,000 gallons valued at $400, 100000.
And In that country | have found, also,
strenuous efforts being exerted on the part
Of philanthropic men Of popular sentiment
and scientific attainments toward the re-
preston Of Incorporate habits, but In no
case did find that the common use Of pure
wine was considered n source OF danger to
the people. The most careful and
conscientious examination OF the
subject has demonstrated, then,
that the chief cause Of intemperance
is in temporary and local failures of the
vineyards to supply the demands of the
public. Wherever wine was found abund-
ant and cheap-within the daily reach Of
the poorest peoplet-here intemperancc is
practically unknown. This cannot be con-
strued as the result OF race or national pc.
culiarity, because In the same country, wher-
ever wine is scarce and dear, there the evil
dences of intemperance are noticeable as in
other countries In proportion as the natural
demands Of mankind are supplied with
beverages unsufted to health and happiness.
The same observations are true Of those
parts Of Germany where viticulture is
practicable; also, of Spain, Italy, and other
parts Of the Mediterranean coast. An esti-
mate, based on good authority, was given
in recent years, showing the average an
nual production Of wines in Europe as fol-