Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-21


do not come causeless. II the cause be
found In any one Characteristic Of the
multitude as to error, that multitude
has poor ground on which to commend
its example to others. We are AFRAID
TO follow the example Of France even
though we decline to enter the discus
sion Of the relative ability Of men IN
the schools Of this country and that.
2. The statement that the result OF
using domestic wines is to drive out
the use Of more powerful stimulants IS
not sustained by even an attempted
argument. On the other hand, very
strong proof Of the contrary effect has
come TO us from what is supposed to be
q reliable source. 1t is stated that the
governmental statistics Of Germany,
Switzerland, and France, establish be-
yond a doubt that alcoholic wine and
beer are easy steps to stronger drinks
They create the appetite for whiskey
and brandy. 1t is stated that in
1910 France consumed (per capita
not as much Of the stronger
drinks as the United States-not
over one eighth as much-but
in forty.four years the increase has been
30 rapid that the per-capita consumption
now exceeds that Of the United States.
The observant travellers that find so
little drunkenness in wine countries
must account for this alarming increase
upon the ground that the diffusion OF
this large amount Of strong drink is
more general than in the United States,
and hence that there are not as many
total abstainers, or they must concede
that their observation was defective.
The increase Of the consumption Of in
toxicants in this county in forty-four
years with the large amount of elo-
quent and powerful moral suasion we
have had) has been truly fearful.
1t is said to be from three and half
gallons per inhabitant in 1910 to over
twelve gallons. II the wine countries
have exceeded this fearful progress
they are bad examples to commend. 1t
is equally clear that it is time for an
" American Citizen" to become alarm
ed and call upon the las-making power
to consider the trend. The statistics
mentioned are what reason would have
beforehand suspected. The dogma that
TO prevent drunkenness we must edu-
cate children to the use of alcoholic
wine is hardly more sustainable than
the assertion that to prevent a child
from being poisoned we must put a
snake in his bosom.
3. The argument about practical
confscatiOn does not hold. Property
is not confscated when its use for in
furious purposes is prohibited. The
fertile acres need not be lessened in
value when the State is free from that
which brings poverty and suffering.
Not even is it necessary to destroy the
fruit-be-ring vines. Grapes are luz
cious and they are healthy there will
be a market for them. Chemistry, too,
while, unfortunately, teaching the art
of distillation, will afford sufficient
knowledge for utilizing the unfermented
grape juice. 1t is only alcoholic drink
that is dangerous. Several ways in
which the grape-grower can be remu-
nera,ed without pandering to drunken
ness by afording alcoholic stimulants
can lie learned by investigation. The
appeal is made to patriotism and phi
lantbropy. Let not the mere pecuniary
advantage of alcoholic manufacture
prevent those lines Of investigation
which are so Fronting.
4. If some property be lessened In
apparent value by the adoption Of
good law the owner must accept the
situation for the public good. His re-
Enumeration will come in increased value
to other lines Of enterprise. The
school teacher that had his whole en-
terprise broken IN, and his investment
in school furniture rendered worthless
by the adoption Of system of free
schools, did not talk Of confscation.
5. The statement of "N" relative
to deception in doctors and druggists If
the law be adopted is far from being
satisfactory as an argument. 1t Is
equally as far from being compliment
airy to q highly-respected class Of our
fellow citizens. Why should it be taken
for granted that men OF honorable seuti-
ments will forswear themselves for a
few dimes? Let US not believe it until
forced to do so. No class of men
should be condemned beforehand. But
the argument is radically faulty, even
supposiDg the prophecy to be correct;
for it assumes that TO law should be
adopted relative to which there may be
men who will attempt evasion. IN"
will readily see that if this policy be
adopted it would destroy ell legislation
not in accord with the views Of the
worst element Of society.
G. The statement about the town Of
Saco, in Maine, has no proving power
that we can discover in regard to our
future. Ii is either a SANDER, or it is
not. If the former, of course an"
will not, as a fair man, accept it as truth
if the latter, it only proves that Saco
UaQ some Dbu Hti III ibi ahu euas iOA
the good Of society those men should be
watched. 1t by no means proves the law
to be bad. There is from other sources
abundant proof Of great COOL accom-
plished BY prohibition.
:. Nor can we see that because law
has heretofore licensed business
therefore it should always do so. Pro-
gress in legislation must correspond
with progress in the nations needs.
The discovery that thing is destructive
makes legislation imperative. Lotteries
we're once carried or by law. Does
IN" doubt the wisdom of prohibition
in reference to them? Is it not fully
established that the greatest danger
now threatening our country is the one
arising from the temptations to dissi-
patton: Very respectfully,