Milford chronicle., 1895-04-05
Intsmperance.

rThe following article ives written oy
pupil ofthe south Milford Pnbiie schools
and is the 6rst Of a series which will be pub
iished-ali Of which are from the pens Of
scholars ofthis SCHOOL,
Intemperance is the greatest evil
of this nation. Either drunkenness
must be destroyed or the govern
ment will be destroyed, for how can
a drunken nation be free natlonf 7
Political economy, science, and So
cial experience sustain temperance
and as intemperence is the opposite of
tsmDerence these must be against it.
Let us consider the advantage Of
political economy. It has been esti-
mated that there is paid out for liq-
uors, yearly, over $sOO,OOO,O0O, and
this liquor, which is used by the ma
ton causes two-thirds of the sick
ness, and three-fourths Of the crime,
and does no good whatever except
to fill the iails, alms-houses, etc.
Now let us estimate how much we
could improve the condition d these
families that are robbed by the liq-
uor traffic, Of this money. DR.. Tai
madge says, "gather up the money
that the working classes have spent
for rum during the last thirty years
and will build every working man
a house, lay out for him a garden,
clothe his sons in broad cloth, his
daughters in silks, and stand at bis
door a prancing span of sorrels or
bays, and secure for him a policy Of
life insurance SO that the present
home may be we'll maintained after
he is dead" Would it not be more
to the interests of our nation to re-
move the evil than allow it to re-
main? Now let us look at science.
Science tells us that the alcohol
which all Intoxicating liquors con-
tains is a deadly poison and if taken
in its raw state would kill a man in
a short time. In the liquors it is in
such small quantities that the result
is not so immediate but the poison
ing is still going on and will show
itself in time. BY the use of stimu-
lants the action ofthe heart is quick
ened, thus wearing that organ out
sooner than it should. Alcohol alb
serbs the water in the blood and
dries the small blood disks which in
passing through the capilaries clog
together and thus causes imperfect
circulation. It also benumbs the
brain, weakens the mental faculties
and creates within the victim the
craving for more and stronger
liquor until at last he becomes a
poor, drunken wretch
Social experience and responsible
ity come next and show us the rela-
tion that each of us holds to his
brother man. We ourselves do not
know how much influence we have
in the world or how much our ex-
ample has to do with the persons
with whom we associate. The
I
humblest and quietest among US
have some influence over the lives
of others, hence we each have a per {
sonal responsibility.
There are some men who claim to /
be moderate drinkers and that they
have enough will power to control
their appetite and sneer at men who !
they say "do not know when to t
stop" therefore they have no scru- {
pies in taking glass of wine occa
sionally or to offer some to a friend t
with the remar'., "come and have a Q
glass with me;" the friend NAV hest /
late and not take it directly, then Q
he continues sit will not hurt you; ?
you have good common sense and
will know when to STOP and the a
poor friend, fiattered by the remarks o
and afraid of being ridiculed, takes !
the glass and with it his death war b
rant. The will which mis- friend (g 6
battered is not as strong as the ap- :
petite which is aroused and at last !,
he becomes a drunkard led to his
fate by friend who is a moderate Z
irnker. In the judgment day who d
will be held guilty for that fallen o
brothers soul? It will not be the =
rnm seller because he only supplies t,
she demand, but it lOiH be the friend Il
Who enticed him to his ruin.
A friend against a friend. But n
his is not the worst, it is sometimes n
, father that leads his boys to their a.
destruction The wine is kept in = =
he house and forms an essential re
part Of every meal. In his infancy q
lis father gives the sugar in the bot g 3
ON Of his glass; when he is older le
le is given the wine and at last he al
lies drunkard's death; murdered 4
" his father. This is strong Ian b,
,uage but is the sad truth. He gave hi
he poison and set the example and y y
he son followed. oo
Let us remember our personal re is
possibility to God and to our fel.
ow-man. God has endowed some Sc