St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-02-22
AGAINST KING ALCOHOL.
The Subject Discussed From Various
StandpOinIs.

The subject of intemperance was dis
cussed again last night at the First Meth
odist church. An increase in the number
Of people present was noticeable and deep
interest was taken in the discourses. The
services were opened by prayer by Rev.
Smith. who then introduced 10 the audi
ence DIR. Riggs, whose subject was. Tenn
perance from Physicians Standpoint.
lie said
The highest authorities positively contradict
each other as 10 whether or not alcohol Is a
food. Many Psychologists hold that il is such,
and rank IL as heat-prOducing aliment capa-
bic of replacing oily, starchy and saccharine
materials, although on the other hand the re-
searches of others prove the contrary. If al
cohol is 10 be regarded as an article OF food,
it is not of Natures creation, and in my opin-
ion its deleteriOus effects in health immeas-
nrably overbalance its value as a heat pro-
ducing agent As the results common TO
spirit drinkers are diseases of the liver and
lungs, and, in fact, the entire nervous
system possesses a wel-known affinity
for alcohol, physiology failing TO guide
our steps, il is obvious that i'm estimating the
value of alcohol in health or disease, we must
rely solely on experience, which plainly
shows that for the healthy alcohol is not a
diet. Varied, repeated and prolonged ex-
perience and the testimony OF army medical
men prove that troops endure fatigue and
the extremes OF climate better il alcohol is
entirely abstained from.
There can be no doubt that healthy per-
sons capable of the fullest amount Of atural
and physical exertion without the stimulus
of alcohol, no only do no not require
it, but are far better without IL.
1T is sad truth that many
of our most distinguished men,
literary and professional, men of brilliant IN
tellects aud great ability, die at a compar-
atiYely early age. Work and worry wear out
the physical organization and exhaust the
nervous system. The vital powers are de-
pressed and need repair, they demand rest
and nutrition, instead OF which they are
goaded TO further activity by the use OF slim
uiants. BY their repeated use, when exhaus-
ton takes place, the sense OF depression NAV
be relieved and the ability TO work prolonged.
but health, and even life itself, must ulti-
mately succumb TO the process. Alcohol
when administered TO the sick must
be given as carefully as strycbnine
1t is recommended some times in cases
Of acute sickness to enable the patients To
tide over the crisis. There should DO more
harmony with natures teachings 70 keep I'D
the system than by artificial stimulantS
There are agents equally potential for evil.
such as chloral and opium, and il is estimated
that 10000 people in this country have these
habits. 1t is an unprecedented fact as well
established as railroads. telegraph lines and
cotlcs or stlmulants. by the use of these
drugs the nervous system becomes sensitive
and diseased and the inebriate asylum is then
used as refuge for these slaves OF narcotics
and stimulants.
In the absence of Col. Davidson. who
was to lecture on Temperance. From Bust
ness Mans Standpoint Rev. Mr. Smith said:
am frank TO confess that nv logical ma
ture is wounded, and my love of facts cruci-
ned by the frequent remarks have heard on
temperance, as, for example, some time ago
/ heard a man make an assertion that there
was S6OJ,OOO,000 squandered annually for
liquor traffic. All this talk about waste on
liquor Will not bear Il single moments scru-
tiny. i claim, part OF this money aids the
laborer, gives employment TO the carpenter
and tue painter, furnishes jewels for the saloon
keepers wife and is generally circulated to
the interest of business men. l think the
most vital business fact is not the waste of
money put into liquor, but that the use Of
alcohol incapacitates men for business A
Few years ago there was hardly seafarinC
man who did not use liquor excessively. now
there is hardly passenger ship that crosses
the water, that the officers are rot total
abstinence men. Why is il that the people
do not rise up and crush out this evil? be-
cause right here in st. Paul saloons dominate
and there are 1880 men organized and
drilled and are active workers i'm
the liquor interests They are at the
polls at elections and work for the saloons
One of the burning shames is that the ordi-
nances are not enforced in this city, relative
at least TO the sale of liquor on Sundays. We
have no popular suffrages; we are bought
and sold and the country is honeycom bed
With rottenness and crime. This evil will 20
on until the curse burns into the hearts of
the people, when they will arise and slay
King Alcohol forever
The last of the series of lectures will be
gwen next Sunday evening, at which time
Prof. Baker of the jefferson school will
speak Oh the subject Relative to Public
Schools. and Miss Holbrook. president of
the Young Ladies Christian association,
will also deliver an address.