The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-29
Inrklah InfnrnpfTan0e.

While the many sterling qualities Oh the
Turkish UeasantIy have received taIdy auu
scant recognition, the puDHc seems ueieI-
mined 10 idealize this people as an example
O, temperance. the prevailing intemperapce
of The Christian nations OF Europe, ana the
abstinence Of this despised race, nave long
afforded a favOrlte subject ~ remark on pulpit
and'ulatiarn; and. notwithstanding the leSu-
mOnv # those residing in the country 10 the
fallacy of the idea, the Turk Is stu supposed
10 be a total abstanef, from religious pFecepV
II not conviction. Indeed, even the IuIhloh
official. Otherwise so hOpelessly corrupt, has
been made 10 pose as The enemy Of the llquOr
traffic. and we have not been slow in extend
inc 10 him our sympathy in his vain Efforts to
protect his country from the greatest wee
of our Christian civilization. IL is nara 10
understand how An idea 80 completely al
variance with the facts could originate or
maintain itself in the minds OF intelligent
men.
"Tboy Will ask thee concerning wine and
lots. Answer. I'm both there is great sin, and
alsO some thlnge Of Use unto men, but lhelr
siufuiness is greater than their USE we also
read I'm the description Of Heaven (cbap. JO)
that the faithful shall there be attended by
youths. ''with gOblets and beahers' and acup
Of flowing wine; their heads snail not acne by
drinking the same, neither shall their reason
be disturbed"
What there may be Of prohibition in the one
il. in great measure. neutralized by the
teaching Of the other passage. J have also
been surprised 10 find that the popular under
standing and Interpretation OF the prohbi-
ton limits It's reference 10 wine, leaving the
believer free 10 use the stronger and more
harmful beverages at VIII
The prevailing practice Of fine Turks rs even
more clearly al variance with the popular
idea of them as a temperance people. George
Sale wrote, i'm 1850 Introduction 10 the
kOran):
"The Turks are very fond Of wine, and
drink it,, though its use is clearly opposed 10
the religious teachings Of the Koran"
Arthur Arnold, in an admirable article on
Turkey IN The Contemporary hevieS III 1876,
writes:
II have never seen people drink ardent
spirits IN such quantities as some MOhOmme-
dams OF station whom ! have met with IN
travel. English doctors in the East
are frequently summoned TO cases OF deirum
trcmcus."
While in ConstautinOple and some Of the
larger seaport cities, the Turk is quite cOsm0-
polilan in his choice Of liquors, and not in-
frequently makes a spectacle Of himself on
the street, in the interior of the country II is
very different. Here ne rejects wine, as a
weak and gia0ur beverage, and uses raki,
hery alcoholic liquor, sometimes taking
little brandy for change. lie drinks Dri-
Natclv nj night. in the scciusiOn of a private
house, and drinks inOrdinately, az though his
object was To become thoroughly intoxicated.
The consumption OF raki il steadily on the
increase; and, while formerly intemperance
was largely confined 10 the cities, II is now
rapidly spreading even among the villages of
the far interior. No dinner, in any Of The
larger cities, is now considered COM
plete without Introductory courses Of
raki: and the little glasses Of the white
aromatic liquid 20 around among the guests
until, after from one TO four hours OF prepare.
ton, the feast is served 10 d company that is
not IN condition TO be Ovel.critcal Of the
yiands, The officials OF the Government are
the most addicted 10 drink, and many Of them
are known 80 be habitual drunkards, but are
not considered at all disqualified for holding
their positions because OF this weakness.
one OF the best and most popular local COVER
nOrs have met rarely passed a sober night
The secretary of stale of large province
whom have also met, is VIGOROUSLY incapa-
Bile OF doing business much of the time rom
his excessive use OF strong liquors. Among
the common people, even IN the smaller towns
OF the interior, have known Of cases of ex-
irene poverty, Wlie-bealng. etc, OccasOned
by drunkenness.
Colee and tobacco We're both, on their in
PRODUCTION into this land, denounced by the
MOhammedan priests as opposed 10 the
Koran, ana severe penalties were enacted for
those who should be found using them. Now.
The Turk sips his coffee and smokes his
cigarette at all times and IN all places.
Is II 10 be the same with strong drink?
1t Will bc sad, indeed, if tie long-sunering
peasantry Of this bankrupt land bring upon
themselves, IN addition 70 their other burdens,
the curse Of intemptrance, which now seems
impending.