The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-02
1srEMpRRANcr IN RUSSIA.

The Russians are, of all nations, the most
addicted to drunkenness respect and Hksi
the Russians, who are the most hospitablei
people on the face of the earth-hospit
not because they wish to show II, but BEL
cause Il Is their nature, and they are per-
fectly sincere in it; for Russian VIII
willingly share his lest morsel with you,
and viii be offended if you do not accept
1t. .-" ztss
But strong liquor is Che weakness Of the.
lower classes, who will give their last kopeck
FOR drink Of wodki raw brandy. No mat
ter whether he is hungry or thirsty, happy
or miserable, whether he feels cold or hot, II |
he goes to funeral or a wedding, ths frat,
thing he thinks OF is glass of wodki that
being the cheapest drink he can obtain.
The wodki the poorer classes drink Is not
distilled, lit is pure alchol when ! say pure !
In Russia, beside Sundays. there isa great
number of holidays, which iftaken together
with the Sundays, make from lis to 120
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
will never call Sunday or a holiday by It's
proper name If he be not brought home IN
sensible.
The middle CLASSES, although they do not
get insensibly 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-calIed "b.st" 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 tae question Of intemperance
among the lower classes, but as yet no means
have been found to stop 1t, or in any way to
prevent its increase. IL has become general
opinion that 1t is the business OF the Govern
ment Alas, what mockeryi
The clergy have undertak this difficult
task, the Government giving no aid what
ever. The priests are something like the
House of Commons in England; they talk,
argue aud reason, but do nothing. Have
they tried anything? No; they keep on
talking and wasting time tinia and adjourn.
ing until another day." and the evl con-
tinues.
The causes Of intemperance in Russia are
first ignorance, aud second, the 1ndlnereace
of the Government TO the liquor trdt1c.
Private institutions may, In some way, pre-
vent intempsrauce, but In Russia tne GoV-
ernment is the only body that can stopit.
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 a good example, and instead Of follow
ing the example now set him he will see the
error of his parents ways.
Tie Russian peasant is rough, Ignorant
fellow, but many noble heart lies hidden
under an unpromising exterior, and II ne
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 if the Government aided but little TO
make him a man instead Of beast, as he Is
now, Russia would soon become one OF the
richest countries OF the world, for there is,
50 to speak, gold at every step you make
Demorest.