The Somerset reporter., 1896-03-05
IntelnIlernnce.

lntempefance IL any direction Is Al
evil to be deprecated, but the excessive
use of Intoxicating liquors has become 50
prevalent and its effects are so wide
spread ahd so admittedly aud thoroughly
injurious that all other forms of intern
peranee sink into insignilieance to the
extent that the word itself in its usual
significance aud general acceptance re-
fers To the use of ihtoxicants, and in
order to apply to other forms of excess
they must be parleularized.
Thus the word itself, in its general
sense, is strong evidence Of the gigantic
character Of tins evil Of evils, but if any
one questions this common and indirect
evidence, we have only 10 look about US
in any country or community for over
whelming and positive proof that will
compel decision of the fact from the
most unwilling aud preiudiced mind, that
this evil transcends any other in calamit.
Gus influence, and dire results.
Tie habitual Use Of spirituous liquors
As beverage is simply damning in lis
effects in every way, physically,
mentally aud morally upon the victim,
and is retroactive upon the dealc,.
1t is possible THAI in remotely separat-
ed eases, or at rare periods in any one
mans lifetime. the alcoholic principle
may have a beneficial effect, but, if such
be the case, this is an argument in favor
of the use of sprtuous liquors rs Il
medicine not as beverage. In this col
necton it is but fair To say, that where
one person finds any degree of physical
benefit from liquors used as Il medicine,
ten thousand are Injured by it used as Il
beverage, ana where one lie is absolute
ly saved by alcoholic medicinal virtues,
one thousand are sent to dark death by
lis poisonous qualities. Therefore, the
human family would be the gamer rhysi-
cally. in a ratio of one thousand to one,
by the Punishment of this arch enemy of
mankind from the earth.
History is crowded with the records
of instances where the brightest minds
have become clouded, and brilliant ca
reers wrecked by rum. Indeed, it may
be said to be undesirable ground, 50
numerous are these instances where the
most brany, most generous, and most
promising, find mental as well rs physi-
cal collapse and an early grave through
the use of intoXleants. The poison In
the stomach, the fire in the blood Is
Immediately telegraphed to the brain,
the seat of the intellect and the most
sensitive organ in the human body, and
that ii does not suffer from the demorall-
zation of the other parts OF the body
which comes about by intoNication, l.
too absurd a proposition to waste words
upon.
The legitimate tendency of this habitu-
al indulgence in intoxicating liquors =
immoral, although many do retain their
strong sense of honesty and integrity
through years of active life, but these
are exceptions to the rule proved by the
great majority upon whom the effect is
decidedly debasing.
Thus we may safely say the effect of
the drinking habit is bad all the way
through, without redeeming feature,
physically, mentally and morally upon
the person himself, beside the waste OF
substance involved in proportion to the
extent the person INDUCES in the habit.
But the effect does not stop with the
inebriate, even though he pursues it t
the logical conclusion, death.
Sorrow, misery and shame. ofttimef
accompanied with poverty and want
are the dismal heritage of the wives
And bore tho a,,fnl o,,d oor,,l;oo,od
nrincinlr of hcreditv comae in To In
tensify this cursa and traneroit Il r. ,,o,,
erati,ns vot uuhor, snro1,, that M,
or woman who to,cbes aloohoIio no;son
even moderately incnrs rosno,sihi;t,
tor,;hlo borord oon,nrobone;on r,4.,,,
,o,.a,,oo h,, hoo, m, tI,,,,, 90 .,.,.,,,..,
Loo. lootnrors md thou.a,,, - ,az,..
hava hoo, fIIoa .ha.on,;,h .., -.
At,,o - tho +,,o ann ,,.,'.. -,
80