The Monitor., 1892-01-22
The Tobacco Quest1on.
PAPER READ AT THE SALEM COUNTY F.
ERs' INSTITUTE.

PAPER READ AT THE SALEM COUNTY FARM
ERs' INSTITUTE.
:, Ladies and Gentlemen In looking over
ene programme for this Farmers Institute.
| was we'll pleased with all the subject
there presented, with one exception, and
that was the tobacco question. Who would
have thought that the committee in charge
would have allowed such a subject to be
presented to the goJd citizens of Salem
county, that the County Board of Agricul-
ture would ever think of polluting the fair
soil by growing so vile and filthy stuff as
tobacco, and yet for what purpose? Is
there any good IN it that We shall cultivate
| and use the best land We have for its pre-
duction? Let US see how it stands in the
light of morality and good breeding.
First, it rivals very closely with that
most dreaded monster rum, going hand in
hand with each other. the one helping the
other to bring its subjects more fully un-
der the control of the demons poisonous
fapgs. Whoever saw drunkard that
did not use tobacco; whoever saw a
tramp that did not use it, likewise its part
ner rum? Did you ever see yagabond or
an outoast of society, or the most wretch
ed being on earth that didn't use it? For
a moment stop and think, then the ques-
The answer is, misery likes company, and
consequently they seek the company of
their own stripe, which if possible makes
them even NOR wretched and degraded
Then in looking at this question this way,
why should we want such an article grown
amongsC us, and make US even more weak
than we are at present, for We feel well
satisfied that our boys have no need for it
to be brought any nearer to them than we
already have it, as it is already nuisance
of the first grade. The streets and even
the public highway are contaminated with
its filth; the small boy even though it is
unlawful for them TO use it, bids defiance
to law, order, and decency, (and mark
you the effect to show their manliness,)
and the smaller the boy the greater the
puff; vet We the weaker vessel of human
ity must submit to all this poisonous cor
ruptiou being thrust upon us, wherever
we may chance to be, whether on the
streets or business place. Then let us
hope and pray for the best, and l am sure
that the mothers, who have sons, would
feel glad If there were no such slavish
habit of filth known, and will ever pray
that Salem county will never become so
depraved as to step down and degrade
itself by cultivating it and leaving off their
industries that now are credit to be pro.
duced
Did it ever belong to mans nature that
he should use tobacco, then there would
be some consistency in its use, but as il is
not agreeable in the first advent of its use;
it is not a natural desire, but has to be
brought on by careful cultivation, before
it can become the slavish master that we
generally see it. For 1t degrades and
l. ha hat has inha
aim of the noble principles of true man
hood. Did it stop here, it would do but a
small part of its injury but no, it is thrust
into the faces, eyes, throat, lungs and the
whole system of innocent ones, who, in
their natural sense would greatly prefer
Gods pure air that is given us pure and
not defiled with such deadly poison. Who
can look at an inveterate user of tobacco
without being surprised at the bad effect
that hangs on its yictim9 Who can imag-
inc the torture that is endured by the wife
and young children of the inveterate to-
bacco usei? Many child has to suffer a
life of misery and wretchedness on account
of this filthy and unchristian habit of the
father.
How long would these tobacco users
show respect to their wives and daughters,
il they were to use the weed as their low
ing lords do? So disgusting would it lie
to them that have heard it repeated that
they would not live with a woman that
even smoked, vet his wife must face all
the terror nor say single word.
How long would the ladies of this land
be respected, il they were to use tobaccos
The cry would soon go out that they were
depraved, and were not decent.
Then, If it is not decent for woman, how
is it decent for men? Please think
this question over and report at a more
suitable time, or even at your home circle,
you users OF tobacco, and see If
you cannot purify yourselves and your
homes as we'll as the public with
whom you mingle. Yeu know not
what suffering you may cause by your
polluted breath or fumes of smoke sent in-
TO the lungs of an innocent being. Now,
with all best wishes for the success of this
Farmers Institute, yet will feel thankful
if some good turn may come that this
question may not be presented in any en-
couraging light, is the desire of one opposed
to futher Introduction Of this worse than