The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-28
ODium in Its Home.

The annual outburst OF righteous intlig-
nation from tho host OF well-meaning re-
ligious people in Great Britain over inc
opium question OF India and China mas
taken on an unusual importance this year
from the presentation OF another side OF the
case than that usually laid before the
public. The Sun told the other day OF tho
comments OF the English press In sup
port of the opium revenue. and OF the rally
ing of the Tines to the defence OF the opium
habit as it obtains In India and China. and
the profound sensation this action OF the
Thunderer had caused throughout the
land. But tho Times is by no means leading
a now crusade. 1t is only following the
early lead Of some other prominent Eng
lish journals.
The opium question. like most othcrs. has
two very different sides. "hidcous I'M
morality" 1t is termed by the English
people at home. and by many OF tho Chris
tan missionaries abroad. But observant
and impartial foreigners In India nnd
China, outside OF the missionaries. do not so
regard it. 1t is mainly the great religious
bodies md tho missionaries that 80
roundly denounce the "curse OF opium
and tho opium revenue. These enthusiasts
received decided rebuff from the British
Government this year. and the people sup
port the action Of the Government.
It Is an undoubted fact that with those
who have lived in the East and among
Eastern people. tho opium question pre-
sents itself in very different light from
that 10 which tho misinformed philanthro-
pists at homo in Great Britain regard it.
Impartial and Intelligent observers are
pretty we'll agreed that there is much to
excuse. II not actually to commend. in the
use OF opium among Eastern people. just as
there is in the moderate and legitimate use
OF beer. wines. and spirits among Western
nations. Eastern people. rs n people. are
not. because they use large quuntl-
ties Of opium, opium fiends. any more
than Western people. as people. are
drunkards. because they consume large
quantities Of alcoholic liquors. The Hin
docs and Chinese take q small quantity Of
opium while at work. just as the English
laborer takes his mug Of beer during his
noon rest or tho American farmer his glass
OF cider. and it is generally held that
the coolies do more and better work with
their slight dole Of opium than without it.
A letter printed some time ago in the Lon
don Truth. from on Indian official OF large
experience, tells new sort Of story:
MY work Keeps mo in the forest from or q 4. x.
till or r " daily. carry with me sandwiches aad
cold tea. Of which make meal In the middle Of the
day. Ihavs from ten to twenty men with me alwayA
or these tho opium eaters take small piece Of opium
when cat. and perhaps once again later in the day.
Tho non.opum eaters take nothing 1t Ia tho custom
Of both classes to eat In tho morning evening only
ind that. taking the ali round. the opium eaters
Do the best work. They are A. intelligent and as mus
cular a. the others, and less liable to fever"
Mr.. LABoUCHERE believes in the conclu-
sioDs OF this impartial observer. and thinks
that "if the Hindoos had conquered the
English instead OF the English tho Hindoos,
it Is more than likely that phi!anthropic
Indian organizations would'now be at work
pointing out the number OF people who
drink too much beer Of an evening"