Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-28
THE RICHMOND DISPATCH--SUNDAY MARCH 2S. 1885,

an argument 10 the effect that . thing
Of absolute necessity to human bliss
must be abandoned IL crratic men
make mistakes about 1t, provided We
think it best to let . poison alone
although it does not kill except in large
dosesl
But the greatest defect in the argu-
ment is the supposition that religion
produced the Crusades. II was irreli-
gion Gust the opposite Of the suppose
tom that was the wicked sowing pro-
ductive of the sad fruitage to which our
attention is called. All the plans OF
bloodshed and torture were formulated
in the council chamber OF the very
worst enemies Of the Prince OF Peace.
We boldly assert that the good man Is
bound to abstain from the least incip-
lent hatred that would lead to such
cruelty. Religion is love. Total alb
stinence from the cause Of the Crusades
is erjoined. Hence it is right to oppose
intoxicsnis because they bring the brain
into such condition as will be more
likely to cause the scenes Of cruelty
enormously charged upon religion.
Violence and murder DO follow in the
wake Of the saloon-peace aud happi.
ness from religion.
e. 1t is sincerely hoped, gentlemen.
that there is not much sympathy in your
Association with an approximation to
anything like a sheer at human woe.
Men have hearts as well as heads. We
envy not the position Of that citizen
that looks with cold indifference upon
the distresses Of humanity.
May we not then express the hope
that the words in the letter of Mr.. r.,
" hich seem to speak slightingly of"trem-
bling mothers and anxious fathers, y
and to call representation Of their
sorrows sentimental gush, a sort OF
talk heard al nGVseGm,' &c, are not
endorsed, and that his own better nature
will repudiate them?
Certainly, as long as drunkards are
made there will be sympathy IN hon
orable minds for the innocent sufferers
that belong to their households ; there
will also be found voices raised against
the tempter's appliances. The picture
Of the woes brought upon humanity by
strong drink can hardly be overdrawn
by the most fertile imagination. The
danger has become so great that 1t Is no
wonder that the patriots who see 1t are
reused to unwon,ed exertions. For the
increase per capita in the consump-
ton Of intoxicants we refer TO the letter
Of the Dist instant in the Dispatch, and
this will answer Mr.. Reierson's ques-
tions relative to increased danger in our
State. The statements made Of the ex-
perience Of Albemarle court and Of the
sobriety Of the students in the Unit
yersity, with just pride contrasted by
Mr.. Reierson with former scenes,
may be quoted not to show any
result of the liquor trade, but to show
The result Of the exertions Of those who
have sntagonized that trade by bringing
forward the feelings of trembling
mothers and anxious fathers relative
10 loved ones in the halls Of learning,
and the noble and honorable response
to those feelii 6 among faculty and
students By the organizations that have,
10 an extent so gratifying defeated the
danger. The testimony Of bench and
bar in places many is to the effect that
hire tenths Tor very nearly So Of crlni-
nal cases may be attributed to the use
Of liquor. Gentlemen, let the good
work 90 on until it will be certain that
the 1.-TWO confirmed drunkards shall
have no successors. Very respectfully
your fellow citizen,
T. ". EDWARDS.
Portsmouth,, "a, March %, 1856.