The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-06-14
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
USE OF LIQUOR.
Beer Drinking Leads to a Thirst for Some
thing Stronger.

beer Drinking Leads to a Thirst for Some
thing Stronger.
1t is subject for grave considerat ion
by the American people that the use of
alcoholic liquors is increasing in this
country. In the year 1888 the con-
sumption of distilled spirits was 1.46
gallons per capita; in 1898 it had in
creased to Isl gallons. The consump-
ton OF beer per capita in 1888 was 1927
gallons, which had increased to 1908
gallons in 1898. Within ten years we
see there has been a small increase in
the amount of whisky consumed, while
the use of beer has increased enor-
mously. These figures show the fall
lacy of the theory that the use of beer
and light wines tends to decrease whis-
ky drinking. 1t does nothing of the
sort. The drinking people of the
United States, according to the above
statistics do not love whisky less, but
beer more.
As a rule, the man whose habitual
tipple is whisky does not often indulge
in beer. The whisky affords him the
stiInulant he Graves, and furnishes it
quickly. He does not like to wait until
he has swigged half-a-dozen glasses of
beer in order to compass the same eff
feet. If he wishes a change, and de-
sireS large volume of liquid, he takes
apollinaris or something of that sort
along with his glass of whisky On the
other hand, the man who habitually
drinks beer is more or less under the
temptation to change off to whisky. He
tires OF the slow process of reaching a
state Of soggy eXhilaratiop on beer,
and learns to take the short cut thereto,
without straining the capacity of his
stomach by resorting to whisky or
other distilled liquor.
Therefore the majority of the beer
andwine drinkers finally become whisky
drinkers. The course of dram drinking
runs from the lighter drinks-that is.
weaker in alcoholic the stronger and
more concentrated. The reverse road
Is rarely or never travelled. The man
who has accustomed himself to gin, or
rum, or whisky or brandy. never can
satisfy his craving with foaming beaEers
of beer or glasses of thin wine. Thus.
the facts are all against the fine-spun
heory that. the use of the latter will
decrease the consumption of the former.
The converse is really the case The
use Of beer and W inc prepares man for
becoming whisky drinller.
Probably the lov grade of so great a
proportion of our immigration during
the past ten years accounts for part of
the increase in the amount of liquors
consumed. The large increase in the pro-
portion of population massed in cities |
also explains this increase in part; for
the temptations to drink are much
greater in cities, and the opportunities |
Tor indulgence are enormously in |
creased. Perhaps these account for the |
greater part of the increase. The time |
seems ripe for the beginning of another !
determined effort at temperance reform
along the line of the blue ribbon move
nent. There has been a relaxation of |
efforts to induce men voluntarily to alb
stain from the use of intoXicants. and |
mo1e activity along the line of prohibi-
tloF and restriction of the saloon
.Nork should proceed along both lines |
at the same time. The effort to make |
men total abstainers should never be
abandoned at any time. If no man
drank intOXicants. there would be no
saloons; but the otner proposition is
not true. that if there were no saloons |
there would be no liquor used as a .
beverage. The saloon is a great pro-
mOtCr If intemperance. recruiting
station for the grand army of drunk
ards. and therefore should be restricted |
as much rs possible, and as soon as
practicable abolished entirely: yet no
effort for this can be thoroughly sue
cessful unless the great majority Of /
people are themselves total abstainers. |
Work along both lines will most rapid
ly promote the effort to pulverize the
rum poUer.-ToIedo Blade.