The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-07-10
W. G. @. AZ. golmnsn.

The consti tuition adopted at Brussels
Tor the Congo Free State, contained a
clause forbidding trade in slaves, FIRE
arms and alcohol. Eighteen govern
ments were represented in the Brussels
Congress, an unanimous consent was re-
quired to ratify the constitution. All
have done SO understand with the
single exception of the United States
/ Tie Senate had the treaty before it
i've weeks before adjournment at the
last session, but it failed to ratify it, and
because OF that failure tie devastation Of
the Congo Free State continues. What
that means is indicated by the fact that
over ten million gallons of liquor were
shipped into Africa from various
countries in the ye,r ending June 80
1886 and the shipments have been
steadily increasing since. From the
port OF Boston 1877 $50 gallons were
shipped in that year. What this sort of
thing means is seen from the following
extract from letter written not long
since to w. i, Hornaday, author Of
"Free Rum on the Congo by DR.. Sims
chief of the Livingston Inland Congo
Mission. Besides the giving of rum in
a wholesale way as presents, the
traders keep their runners on the
roads frequented by natives, whom they
bride with liquor to trade only with
their masters. The moment natives
with produce arrive in a merchants
yard they are liquored all around. All
contract dues, end ground rents are
made payable more than half or as is
often the case, wholly in demijohns Of
rum and cases Of gin. 1t is a sad
thought that where FIVE years ago liquor
was unknown and never asked for, the
natives now beg for it and nothing else
can better ingratiate one into their
favor; as for the kings near the seaside
trading houses, intoxication Is their
normal condition When I was assisting
to conduct a mission at Banana the port
of the Congo, it was difficult TO get the
natives to assemble in sober state on
| Sabbath morning.
| The effects of liquor on the natives is
thus described by Stanley. The very
atmosphere (of the Congo Free State)
seems to be fatally hostile to the
physique of men who pin their faith to
whiskey, gin and brandy. They in
variably suceumb and are a constant
source of expense. Even if they are not
finally buried and out of sight and GU,
Of memory, they are SO utterly helpless,
diseases terminate with such fristhful
rapidity, symptoms of insanity are
numerous and with mind vacant and
body semi-paralyzed, they are hurried
homeward to make room for more
valuable substitutes. Such is the work
for whose combination the Senate of
the United States is responsible, the
leaders of both parties sharing in the
responsibility. No wonder tho church
conferences are denouncing the disgrace
and no wonder the secretary of the state
has endeavored to tecure further time
for the ratification of the treaty which
endeavor. We are glad to see announced
has been successful, SO that another
chance will be given the next senate.
This African affair is bad enough, but
the South American affair is, in one
respect at least, worse. The former is
result of iLaction the latter result,
of deliberate action. That the State
Department in the present condition Of
public feeling should deliberately in.
struct all our consuls in South Amer-
can countries to apply themselves to
the securing CT facts and Offering OF
suggestions to aid in enlargement Of
the American beer trade 10 those
countries and then should publish for
gratuitous distribution the replies of
these consuls telling how brewers can
increase their shipments and introduce
the sale of beer by the glass among
these people is something amazing.
There are many signs that the churches
are awakening to the enormity of the
disgrace that has been fastened upon
the nation. But the organs of the
church, the religious press which ough;
to be speaking out in thunder tones,
are, with few exceptions uttering
nothing but timid whispers and in
some cases not even that much.
Lost, strayed or stolen, the national
conscience The Voice.
In study made by DR.. Mason oil
600 cases of inebriety the family
history being carefully recorcd, 223 had
inebriate fathers, mothers or grand
parents.
1t is suggestive iaot that 1852 cases
treated in America and Britain no
fewer than S2s had family history of
previous inebriety.
Hereditv is the one GREAT nre6;snos;no