Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-11-04
Inebriety and Prohibition.

Just now, when large numbers of
Jealous people are trying to effect II
combination, or third party, to over
come by Legislative measures the
alarming increase of inebriety, it
may be of value TO note the scien-
tiic phase of the question. The
JourndS Of Le6riety, discussing the
problem, presents views that invite
study, because based on investiga-
ton by experts and physicians.
1t may be assumed, to begin with,
that drunkenness and the prevalent
use of intoxicants is deplored by all
reputable classes without any refer
ence whatever to party sentiment,
and in combating an evil that is GER
tainly growing it is well to properly
understand causes and the part of
wisdom to avoid mistaking the real
means to correction of the ruinous
habit. Says the Journai: "The pro-
hibitory movement is based on the
theory that inebriety is only caused
by alcohol, and that this drug is a
luxury which can be withdrawn at
will, thus removing the evil. Also,
that inebriety depends upon the man
ufacture and sale of alcoholic com
pounds, and will disappear when the
supply ceases. The remedy is to
drive out the maker and seller Of
spirits and Danish alcohol.
Then, as the organ of men who
are making fnebriety scientific
study, the journal proceeds to point
out how Intellectual for more than a
thousand years has been prohibitory
legislation against alcohol, tobacco,
tea, coffee, cocoa, and opium, even
the Chinese despotic rule having
utterly failed to stop the use of
opium.
Moral, social, theological, and gov
ernmental forces have fiercely and
violently tried to suppress the use
of these drugs, and have never at
best succeeded in effecting more
than temporary and local remedies
which in time give way to greater
evils. "The theory of prohibition
is not sustained from study of the
inebriate and inebriety," says the
eminent DR.. Crothers. He disclaims
that alcohol is luxury to be used or
not at will, but declares it to be a
narcotic spirit which has been used
/
in all ages and chimes, and 10y all
peoples, to supply some demand of
brain and nerves, some defect or
debility. "This demand is not Gre
ated by the form or the prevalence
of alcohol, it is an inherent or ac-
quired defect. The army of inebri-
ates is recruited from states and con
ditions of life far back of the distil-
lery or saloon. In this country they
are often victims of our high-pres-
sure civilization; of continuous
nerve strains and drains, which not
only exhaust but cripple the race and
its descendants. The demand for
relief which is found in spirits
brings out the manufacturer and re.
taller to supply it. They may in.
crease this demand, but they do not
create it.
\ point in proof of the statement
may he found in the immense sale
of new medical preparations that
| purport to tone up the system, brace
the nerves without any deleterious
effects. Recently patent medicine
which was claimed to be free from
all injurious drugs, or merely slim
ulating agencies, and yet which was
represented to be a restorative OF
debiitated energies, came into such
universal demand that saloon-keep-
ers themselves were compelled to
handle it, and a remarkable decrease
in the consumption of liquors was
observed for time. Thousands
and thousands of inebriates would
/ gladly give up alcohol, which they
know to be their damuation, II 10y