Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-01-27
THE MorHERor MANY MIsER Es
From The London Eng ia nd) Eeho.)


We have heard recently a great deal
about the spread Of temperance, Certain
ly there has been no lack OF activities in
this direction. We have numerous Tenn
perance Societies worked with unfiagsed
enthusiasm and zeal; We have Local OPP
tion Societies Good Templar Socities. Blue
Ribbon Societies, and Rechabite Societies
we have the Salvation Army. which insist
on its members being total abstsiners: we
have the Church OF England Temperance
SOt ieties, Roman Catholic Temperance So.
cieties, and Dissenting Temperance Socilies
Of every hue; we have special Temperance
Societies for soldiers and sailors, aud min
crs. In TACT, there Is n vast network of
agencies in ceaseles, operation to check
aud break down the drinking system.
But, afterHll, comparatively little has been
done. The drinking customs flourish in
our midst, aud human degradation and
suffering spread correspondingly. About
one hundred and thirty millions slerling
are still annually spent In this country in
intoxicating drinks. Poverty abounds and
90 do f'ring gin palaces. A cry has gone
up to Heaven from the unemployed but
brewers and dislillers and maltsters con-
tiuue To get rich beyond the dreams OF ay-
arice. IiundredS of tlonsandh of homes
are filed with misery, hunger and dirt,
and huhdieds Of thousands Of public
houses 1ouri-l, by the side oi these misera-
BILE homes. Herein is the chief cause OF
our industrial arrangement and CONNER.
ciHl depression. II, rein IL the chef causo
oi ihe want Of employment SO much de-
plor.d, Herein ID the chief cause OF ain and
.nf'eIing "nd national degradation. 70
ilic"l economists may teach. Bishops
may preach. Socislists may declain,.
Emigration Sociies may offer inducements
fnr our industrious poor TO build UP new
lrmes IN the colonies. Organizers of soup
kitchens and pro7iders oi cheap breakfasts
aud dinners and suppeN may do more than
ever for the people; benevolent societies
may he muluplied lenfold; Lord Mayors
Funds may be called into existence Trades
Unions may cooperate with Lord Mayors
to find employment or 10 afford relief; en-.
ergency committees may be formed; mu-
nicipslities may provide temporary en-
poyment for the starving; these, and many
other organic methods may be reSorIed to
in order 10 largely and permanently con-
tract the area Of poverty, but they will ef-
feet but little while the damning drinking
system remains unshaliered. In The first
place, this system is lhe means OF destroy
ing millions sterling monhlly Of ngricul-
tural produce. A poor man who gives his
threepence for lia pint Of ale has not 20,
the tenth paIt M much n0urishnienl az eK
lists in II 81 loaf. Ought not the poor man
10 ask where the other nine-lenlhs 60 I
la the second place there is very little lab
or comparatively expended in the manu-
iaclure Of beer aud other intoxcants. A
, Thousand pounds expended on boots OF
blankets, or bread, involves the ekpendi-
inre OF twice US much labor as n thousand
in drinks provided by the publican. oui
drinking customs materially impoverisl
the labor market. There IL not IA public
house in the land that is moi more or les,