The Republican., 1892-01-29
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
ALCOHOLISM AND CRIME.

Drinking.
Alcoholism may be considered brief
ly, first, in its general bearings, and,
second, rs q form of insanity. The
relation between alcoholism, crime,
pauperism and charity is most init
mate. For example, . certain young
criminal who tried to kill an aged
woman without provocation said that
when he was six years of age his ia
ther used to return home drunk, strik-
ing his mother and throwing sticks of
wood at him. He stood it for awhile,
but afterward left home, and, though
not thief, was compelled to steal for
q living; was sent to a juvenile asy-
lum, and after leaving went among
farmers to live under their care. being
kindly treated by a very few, whipped
and otherwise roughly treated by
many. Remaining q mouth or so with
different farmers, he finally developed
into 9 tramp, and, leaving all farmers,
wandered two years, stealing, eating
and sleeping wherever he could. Thus
alcohol gave the initistory to thieving;
charity endeavored to counteract these
effects (result of six years of unfavor-
able surroundings) in two years. but
the evil forces acquired by early treat
ment had gained too strong foothold,
and the following stages were tramp
ing, pauperism and crime. Such cases
are typical and almost wholly the re-
sult of evil surroundings, for which
society is culpable and for which she
NJ, laa arlx hokh ,x.I
cially. The alcoholic may be good
workman when sober. but from ir-
regularity he loses his position and
gradually becomes pauper. A sad
fact in connection with alcoholism is
that often the kindest and most genial
natures are for this very reason ruined
through the unintentional influence of
friends, for they are unable to resist
the so-called feeling of good-fellowship
when drinking together. From the
ethical point OF view it is questionable
whether one has the right to take the
chances of causing another to fall 1t
is better to forego the physical, intel
lectual or social pleasure of indulging
In any luxury or non-necessity. than to
aid in the physical, moral or social ruin
of q fellow being.
The relation of ethics to all these
forms of abnormal humanity is as di-
rect as it is diversified. 1t is ethically
questionable whether it is right to
give to beggars; for by SO doing we en-
courage them, by virtually paying
them to beg, and if not already paupers
they can be made so by mistaken
philanthropy. 1t is a common saying
and practice of Americans travelling in
Europe to give every beggar "a cent
to get rid of him." This, of course, has
just the opposite effect
All these abnormal forms of humani-
ty are different degrees of evil or
wrong, the highest of which is crime.
They are all links of one chain. This
chain is that which we, denote by the
words evil, bad, unjust, wrong, etc.
These forms, to wit, criminality,
alcoholism, pauperism, etc, may all be
considered under the head of Char
biological" Thus the different institu-
tions, such as prisons, insane asylums,
ine ebriate and orphan asylums, institu-
-tions for the blind, deaf and dumb,
and detectives; hospitals, dispensaries,
relief for the poor in any form; church
missions and different forms of philan-
thropical work, are, OF course, chari-
table in their purpose. The difference
between these Institutions is one of
degree, as an examination of the in
mates would soon show The pauper
may be or may have been a criminal or
insane or alcoholic, or the criminal
may be or may have been pauper or
insane or alcoholic, and so on.
The close relation of alcoholism to
insanity is shown by the statement of
a specialist (Krafft- Ebing) that all
forms of insanity, from melancholia to
is artificial, it begins with slight ma
.niacal excitation; thoughts flow lucid
ly, the. quiet become loquacious, the
modest bold; there is need of muscular
action; the emotions are manifested in
laughing, singing and dancing. Now
the esthetcal ideas and moral impulses
are lost control Of the weak side of
the individual is manifested, his secrets
revealed; he is dogmatic, cruel, cynical
sQdukcFOuS, Hc luotSIS tHdt lie ID uOb
drunk, just as the insane insists on his
sanity. Then his mind becomes weak,
his consciousness dim, illusions arise;
he stammers, staggers and like para
iytic his movements are uncertain
The principal character of these
mental disturbances consists in a moral
and intellectual weakness; ideas be-
come lax as to honor and decorum.
There is disregard Of the duties of
family and citizenship. Irritability is
a concomitant, the slightest thing
causes suspicion aud anger, which is
uncomfortable. There rs weakness
of will to carry out good resolutions,
and a consciousness of this leads some
to request to be placed in an asylum,
for they are morally certain in advance
that they cannotresist temptation. Thus
one has been known to have his daugh-
ter carry his wages home, as he could
not pass saloon on the way without
going in, II he had money with him.
Now it is a weakness of memory, a
difficulty in the chain of thought and a
weak perception, until imbecility is
reached.
There may be disturbances in brain
circulation, causing restless sleep, anx-
ious dreams confusion. dizziness, head