The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-05-12
TEMPERANCE CRUSADE.

How It Began in the United States and
How 1t Ia Waged-Bo In . Little
Town on Long Island-How 1t Spread
Over the Country-Father Mathews Visit
Tho Women Aroused.
The first Temperance agitation in the
United States of which there is any
record occurred in the year 1861, in a
little town on Long Island. An ordi-
nance was passed at a town meeting
''that no man shall sell any liquor but
such as are deputed thereto by the
town, and such men shall not let
youths and such as are under others
management remain drinking at un-
seasonable hours, and such persons
shall not have above half pint at
time among four men," In 1866 an
ordinance was passed forbidding "any
one selling to the Indians any quantity
above two drains ut one time, and to
sell to no Indians but such as are sent
by the sachem and shall bring writ
ten statement from him, and he shall
not be given above quart at time"
During successive years similar acts
were passed by the towns and colonies.
In 1876 the Constitution Of Virginia
prohibited the sale of wines and spirit
uous liquors. In 1850 religious socie-
ties began to protest against drinking
liquors at funerals, and soon after the
Society of Friends abolished this prac-
tice. In 1776 the question of prevent
ing distillation entirely was agitated.
The year 1885 has been called the ''cen-
tennial mile post of Temperance" In
that year DR.. Benjamin Rush, Of Phila-
delphia, published an essay entitled
1.-THE Effects of Ardent Spirits on the
Human Body and Mind" This paper,
said to be the first published address in
this country against the use of spiritu.
GUS liquors, and flying as it did in the
face Of public opinion, attracted much
attention. 1t was unique literary
production, and contained descrip-
ton of fit of drunkenness one hum
dred years ago:
/. Unusual garruity.
g Unusual silence.
J. CaptiOusness and adisposition to qusrrel.
l. Uncommon good humOr, insipid shipper
ing or laughing
g. Profane swearing and curslng.
9. A disclosure of their own or other people &
secrets.
!. A rude disposition to tell those persons in
company whom they know their faults.
g. Certain immOdest actions. I am sorry To
say this sign OF the first stage of drunkenness
sometimes appears In women who. when
sober, are uniformly remarkable for chaste
and decent manners.
9. A clipping Of words.
10. Fighting; black eye or q swelled nose
often marks this grade of drunkenness.
II. Certain extravagant acts which indicate
q temporary ft of madness. These are sing
ing, hall0oing roaring, initiating the noises OF
brute animals, Jumping, tearing on clothes
dancing naked, breaking glasses and china
and dashing other articles of household fur
niture upon the floor. After awhile the par
Oxysm OF drunkenness is completely formed
| The face now becomes flushed the eyes pro
iect and are somewhat watery-winking Is
less frequent than is natural; the under lip il
prOjected-the head inclines little to one
ShOulder-the Jaw falls-belching and hic
| cough take place-the limbs totter-the
whole body staggers. The unfortunate sub
ject of this history falls on his seattle looks
around him with vacant cOuntenance aud
mutters inarticulate sounds TO himself-he
attempts to rise and walk. In this attempt
/ he falls upon his sde from which he gradu
eyes and falls into profound sleep. fire.
! Quently attended with snoring and prOfust
sweats. In this condition ne often lies from
ten, twelve, and twenty-four hours, in two
three, four and Ave days, an object Of pity
| and disgust to his family and friends. His re
covery from this fit Of intoxication is marked
with several peculiar appearances. He open,
his eyes and closes them again-he gaps ant
| stretches his limbs-his voice Is hOarse--hs
rises. with difficulty and staggers to chair
| His eyes resemble balls of ire-his hand
| tremble-he lOathes the sight OF fOOd-h,
| calls for q glass of spirits to compose hi
stOmach-now and then he emits deep
| fetched sigh or groan from transient twing
| of conscience but he more frequently scold
and curses every thing. In this state of Ian
guor and stupidity he remains for two o
three days before he Is able to resume hi
former habits of business and conversation
DR.. Rush's paper also contained
''moral and physical thermometer O
Temperance" from which the follow
ing is taken:
lOo below zero--Punch; idleness gaming.
30 below ZerO-TOddy, rum: peevishness.
30o below zero-Brandy and water; Qual
reling, fighting.
4O9 below zero-Flip and shrub; hors'
racing.
500 below zero-Bitters; lying and swea
ing.
6Oe below zero--Gin. brandy and rum In tn
morning; stealing and swindling.
zoe below zero-The same, day and night
burglary and murder.
July 10, 1889, about 1, 200 persons {
Litchfield County, Conn, formed
society to discourage the use of spiri
uous liquors. and!decided not to use an
more distilled liquors while doing the
farm work. In 1850 a memorial W;
sent to Congress asking tbs
body to impose such heay
duties upon all distilled spiri
as should restrain their intemperai
use. The first Temperance society
this State was established at Morea1