, 1892-03-05
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION: !:
DRINKING AND WILL POWER.

1t has been contended by some that the
Kelley cure is a business proposition, that
the blue ribbon movement is purely phil
anthroplc, and that the results of reforma-
ton from either source depend equally on
stamina and will power. AS to the bust
ness part of both sides, the most distin-
gulshed exponent of the blue ribbon move
ment makes it SO very much matter of
business that the least consideration on
which he will talk temperance is get
ting everything the public can be induced
to contribute, while at the same time, he
and his coworkers loudly claim that they la
Dor solely for the good of their fellow men.
The forty-three Kelley institutes through
out the country make no such claim, and
plainly state that their position with re-
spect to the temperance questionis primar-
lily a business one, though the easily veri-
led history of the large majority of them
will show that while they take money
from those able to pay, a large number are
being treated gratuitously. This is said to
be emphaticalLy true Of the Olympia in
stitute
10 W OAIC 4lLebGIC4 VI oGdLLIlld anu WILL
power it is contended that while being in
duced to sign total abstinence pledge may
keep man sober for short time. and
may in a few exceptional cases result in
permanent reformation, the diseased con-
dition resulting from excessive and con-
tinuous drinking remains with the subject
creating a continual and at times almost
FOL do g., -4s.
cal state of things which the most care
fully prepared statistics prove, results us
ually in utter downfall as far as the large
majority are concerned, Men have re-
peatedly and with all earnestness and sin
certify Of purpose, signed pledges and
found themselves utterly unable to keep
them; but thanks to the Kelley treat
mentr they can now take as little credit for
not drinking kerosine oil as for refraining
from whiskey. If the question of keeping
sober were matter of will power it would
of course be unnecessary to take Kelley
treatment but as a matter of fact, exces-
siYe and continuous drinking creates a
diseased condition over which the will
has no power; this statement will, of
course be pooh poohed by many but the
truth of it is said to be only too well known
to every drinking man and to those who
have made drunkenness a study.
Signing pledge brings with it no in
crease of will power, but the Keeley treat
ment it is oontended does, for it not only
rebuilds the diseased nerve tissues on the
healthful condition of which a mans will
power depends, but the medicine given
takes the man whom disease or vice,
whichever you please, has physically and
mentally almost ruined, and almost liter
ally makes new man of him, takes
away all craving or desire for stimulants,
restores his nerves to their normal tone, in
7igorates the whole system, and leaves the
graduate in the same position with regard
to stimulants as he was before he ever
drank at all.
thousands in this country, and many in
Olympia, are living proofs of the truth of
these statements. That certain men have
relapsed is deplorable fact, but that they
do 80 without having any more desire for
stimulants than the man who never took
them is equally undeniable, and admitted
by themselves. 1t may reasonably be ac-
counted TOR on the ground that hard drink
ing men are so accustomed to resorting to
drink in moments of depression and weak
ness that in some such moments patients
havealmost unconsciously permitted them
selves to be drawn again, thoughina great
ly modified way, int o their old habits.
In this connection it is a little curious
that, though mention is frequently made
of Kelley men who relapse, nothing is said
Of those (there are by actual count
nineteen in Olympia alone) to whom
their treatment at the Institute has
meant literally, the stepping out of bond
age into freedom, the passing out Of the
night Of degradation into the perfect day
of restored manhood.