The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-11-17
THE BETTER WAY.
It Is Easier so Prevent the Drink Habit
Than to Cure 1t.

II Is Easier 80 Prevent the Drink Habit
Than to Cure 1t.
The cure of inebriety has latterly
claimed large measure of public at
tention. Recently at Dwight, Ill, was
held convention composed of hum
dreds of delegates, representa- numer-
Gus organizations of men who have
been treated, and at least for the time
being successfully, by the Kelley meth
cd. Many of these institutes are being
established in this country and in Eng
land, and large numbers of inebriates
are resorting to them for treatment,
paying in the aggregate large sums of
money therefor. Other special methods
of treatment for the victims of the drink
habit are being experimental with and
widely advertised. All this in addition
to the well-known inebriates' homes
and aSylums, long esta blished in differ
ent parts of the country. OF the rela-
tive merits and dement's of the various
specifics recommended for the cure of
drunkenness, we do not propose now to
speak. We hail anything which can
suffice to rescue even one person from
the perilous tolls of the drink demon as
gain to humanity, and are grateful
for all the good which may thus be
achieved. For permanent good results
our own confidence is greatest in absti-
hence and in the abiding power of the
Almighty Arm, rather than in the
evanescent force of any drug. We re-
joice, however. in the deliverance of
anyone from the drink bondage by
any helpful agency, and with every
broken home thus reunited and blessed
with renewed happiness. But especially
do all who attribute their rescue to any
form of drug medication need to bear
continuously in mind the eminently
wise admonition: Let him that think
eth he standeth take heed lest he fall"
The pathetic sight of these eager
throngs who are seeking, by one
method of cure or another, relief from
the alcoholic grip but emphasizes anew
the impor lance of the true mission of
the temperance reform, the prevention
and abolition of the drink habit. Pre-
vention is easier than cure. Especially
to the young ard inexperienced is the
message: stop before you begin" of
the utmost Importance. If it could be
every where proclaimed and needed
what untold suffering, and loss in ways
innumerablc, might thereby be avoided!
Wounds inflicted upon our bodies in
early youth leave sears still visible
thereon at three score and ten. The
eloquent Cough, and many others re-
claimed from the habit of drunkenness,
have had still to lament bitterly its in
expressibly painful memories which
nothing could efface How wise, there
fore, and how fundamentally important
the preventive teaching of total abstin-
epce.
The enormous supply of intoxicants,
of beer wine, cider and stronger
liquors. indicates the still widespread
popular demand therefor. What is es-
pecially ominous in the present situa-
ton is that, despite all the temperance
labor of the many temperance organi-
cations. and in connection with
churches of nearly all denominations
of Christians, this drink supply,
as shown by official internal rev.
enue statistics, has steadily in
creased from year to year. 1t is
not surprising that with this untoward
tendency there is large crop of
drunkards to be either cured or de-
stroyed. While latterly many temper
ance men and women are chiefly pre-
occupied with the construction of po-
Itical achinery for aggressive war
fare against the drink traffic, the de-
structive drinking usages continue. and
the drink supply increases. The need
is urgent for a revival of intelligent,
earnest, conscientious testimony bear
ing against the drink itself. Not only
is this need great among the poor, but
also among the rich and well-to-do. In
the sphere of what is called good So
ciety," the total abstinence missionary
has an important, waiting field. Fash
ionable dinners and entertainments,
especially those given away from the
home. and in the environment of the
club, provided for by the popular ca
terer. latterlv much in vogue, almost
always include intoxicants, aSthetical-
ly served. and all the more tempting
and perilous. Many young man, who
would scorn to drink in saloon, takes
on these occasions Ills first steps in the
direction of ultimate inebriety as a
fatal habit. 1t will be far easier, by
proper effort, TO prevent that habit at
the beginning than to cure it after it
has been formed. An ounce of proven
ton is. indeed. worth ton of cure!-
National Temperance Advocate.
DRINKING WOMEN.