The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-03-16
lNTEMPEnANCE IN RUSSIA


The Russians are, of all nations the most
addicted to drunkenness. l respect and like
the Russians, who are the most hospitable
people on the face of the earth-hospitable
not because they wish to show it. but be-
cause it is their nature and they are per-
fectly sincere in it; for Russian will
willingly share his last morsel with YOU,
and will be offended if you do not accept
| it.
But strong liquor is the weakness of the
lower classes, who wilfgive their last kopeck
for a drink of wodki raw brandy. No mat
ter whether he is hungry or thirsty, happy
or miserable, whether he feels cold or hot, il
ne goes to funeral or q wedding the first
tning he thinks of is glass of wodki that
being the cheapest drink he can obtain.
Inc wodkl the poorer classes drink is not
distilled, 1t is pure alchol when l say pure l
mean raw)
In Russia, beside Sundays, there isa great
number of holidays which if taken together
with the Sundays, make from lis to 100
days in the year, so that the laborer works
only eight months in the year and is drunk
the rest of the time; for Russian peasant
VIII never call Sunday or holiday by its
proper name if he be not brought home in
sensible.
The middle classes, although they do not
get lnsensibly drunk, also like to feel the
jolly state. The higher classes and the aris-
tocracy can afford to drink the purest, dear
est and so-called best" drinks, such as old
wine, brandy and champagne all of which
in their effects are as injurious as alcohol.
During the past year meetings have been
held to discuss tle question of intemperance
among the lower classes, but as yet no means
have been found to stop it, or in any way to
prevent its increase. 1t has become a general
opinion that it is the business of the Govern
ment. Alas. what mockery
The clergy have undertaken this difficult
task, the Government giving no aid what
ever. The priests ere something like the
House OF Commons in England; they talk,
argue and reason, but do nothing Have
they tried anything? No; they keep ON
talking and wasting time time, and adjourn.
ing until another day" and the evil coz
tinues.
The causes of intemperance in Russia are
first ignorance and second, the indifference.
Of the Government to the liquor traffic
Private institutions may, in some way, pre-
vent intemperance, but in Russia the Gov
ernment is the only body that can stop it.
The only way TO prevent the spread of in.
temperance in Russia is education. Educate
the child; let him read; let him reason; give
him good example, and instead of follow
ing the example now set him he will see the
error of his parents ways.
Ihe Russian peasant is a rough, ignorant
fellow, but many a noble heart lies hidden
under an unpromising exterior, and if he
could only be made to understand his social
and political value be taught to WORK not
only with his hands, but also with his head
he would see the riches of his country
and II the Government aided but a little 20
make him Il man instead of a beast as he /,
now, Russia would soon become one of the
richest countries OF the world, for there is
SO to speak, gold at every step you make
DemOreSt,