The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-07-03
TRANCE AND THE DRINK PROBLEM.


In France, as in every other country, the
drink curse Is demanding the increased at.
tention OF the thoughtful. A noticeable fea-
ture Of the French press is the discussion OF
temperance and allied questions. The Cos.
mos, perhaps the ablest scientific journal in
France, says: "The question Of alcoholism
is still the order of the day." To show the
evil results ofthe liquor traffic in one phase
alone, it says: "In the insane asylum the In.
tellectual decadence Of sixteen per cent. OF
the inmates Is attributable to drunkenness;
the number several years ago was but eleven
per cent" DR.. Legraln, head physician at
the Ville-Evrard Asylum, in an address be-
fore the Congress Of the French Public Nor
atty League, recently held in Lyons, spoke
strongly on what he called collective alco-
holism; that is, the action Of intemperance
on all social and political life. As proving
that he referred to the fact that In public
houses (saloons), public meetings were held,
and alcohol seemed to be necessary ad-
(saloon-keeper), who played an inauspiclous
part in elections, and thus interfered with
the duty OF French citizens. His influence
was also found in the strikes which occurred
and thus drink held in check not only indi-
viduals, but also the Government. The
same is true in America. N. q. de Rershaut,
who spoke for the press. said that "it (alco-
hoD is in fair way Of brutaling the French
race, and which will finish by annihtlating
it if measures Of public safety be not taken
against it." The same Is true Of America,
and the remedy it prescribes for France is the
only remedy for America-to kill it, to for
bid its manufacture end traffic"
WILL NOT WE'D YOUNG MEN WHO D8IEK.
There is q merry war on in Danbury,
Conn, where the young women members of
st. Peters Temperance Society have formal
ly announced that they agreed not to marry
drunkards or men likely to become drunk
ards, or any young man who partakes OF
spirituous or malt liquors. wine q; cider.
Father Lynch, rector of st. Peters Church.
who is urging this crusade on, kept 1t NOV
ing by preaching another sermon on the sub
ject Of "Marriage and Temperance" Sun
day night, says New York dispatch. This
afternoon the young, women were given
moral strength by the announced determi-
nation of the Rosary Society to stand by the
girls Most Of these were married, but Faith
er Lynch told them that they were in dan
ner Of becoming widows at any moment.
The widows were more outspoken than mar
rfed women.
The business men of the town are almost q
unit In opposing Father Lynch's movement,
because it will not stop until it makes Dan
bury prohibition town. At the last elec-
tion license were carried by a majority OF
little moro than hundred. Father Lynch
says it is impossible for q Danbury youth to
strike the golden mean. He must be total
abstainer or become drunkard.
Miss Maggie Drum, President of the So
ciety, believes that before long, il the move
ment spreads, all the women Of this country
will strike against marrying drunkards. 1T
will be q grand lockout" she said; 1.-THE
father will not have drunkards as fathers OF
their children"