The Republican., 1896-04-30
TEMPERANCE.
NARCOTISM,

- viz AeSC VI SlSiClSllCS, SHOWING Sll
increase in the manufacture and con-
sumption of narcotics and stimulants,
1t is sometimes difficult to regard the
future hopefully. A broader view of
the situation, however, enables us to
see, even in the darkness, the dawn Of
better times. There can be no question
but that there is a growing sentiment
against the use of narcotics among the
more enlightened classes of society,
with an ever-increasing number of total
abstainers, and while it is true that the
consumption of narcotics and stimu-
lants is increasing per capita, the use
of these poisons is becoming less gen.
eral, being confined to special classes of
society.
The great middle class, which in all
countries from time immemorial has
been the salvation of the nation is, in
the United States, practically free from
the habit of lnebriety, the occasional
exceptions only proving the truth of
the statement. The growing sentiment
against the use of narcotics has had the
effect of intensifying their demoraliz-
ing action on the individual, and thus
magnifying the prominence of the
baneful action of narcotics upon the
system until it is rapidly becoming to
be recognized as disease, whereas, in
former years, it was only looked upon
as purely habit. The sideboard that
used to be considered an indispensable
article of furniture in the dining-room
of nearly all classes of society is now
confined to the few, and even the use
of wines in our public hotels has been
discontinued to very great extent.
There can be no doubt that with the
decrease in the use of stimulants by the
masses there has been an increase in
their abuse by the classes. The very
prominence that the evil of narcotism
has assumed at the present day, how
ever, only argues its downfall. The
growing sentiment of the community
is strongly set against the social use of
wines and liquors. The banqueting
table and the middle classes are freer
from this abuse than in former years,
and even the dealers and manufacturers
are beginning to feel the weight of pub
lie opinion. 1t is no longer respectable
to run a tavern" even if it be ''hotel
caravansary," and the saloonkeeper is
denied the right of respectable society,
membership in secret lodges and com
munion in the Catholic church. He has
become veritable Esau, with every
mans hand against him and his hand
against his neigllbor. The widespread
abuse of narcotics has attracted the at
tention of the medical profession, hos
pitals for the treatment of inebriety
are springing up in all parts of the
country and the subject is receiving
consideration en- all sides by persons
fully capable Of throwing light upon
this perplexing question.
A national association, composed of
some of the brightest medical minds in
our country, has been organized, and
its late meeting at Baltimore was Il
prominent feature of the movement.
The papers presented were of high
scientific value and the discussions that
followed were of great interest. The
growing interest in the subject from =
medical standpoint and the forced at
tention that narcotism is receiving from
the state point to an early solution of
the question. The fact that the use of
narcotics is now regarded as an evil
and that narcotism is classified as a
disease portends much for the future.
In every phase of human experience.
in sorrow, sickness and death, philos-
ophy may be found if it is but sought
upon which may be based a rule of right
living, that if applied to future genera
nations"
Back of every effect there is cause.
before every phenomenon there is neu-
monan, beneath all there is principle,
force or power, even God Himself, ''who
worketh in His mysterious way His
wonders to perform" And above and
Leyond is the glorious future, to make
OF what we will. Take courage, then;
His star is in the east, and there are
those who have seen it; hear them
sing:
They found the king in his beauty,
Himself henceforth to lead
The mother-heart to its duty
Mid the worlds profoundest need.
"And they sought from the lips of men,
To dash foul cups away,
To plant where the night had been
The hope of better day"
w. Xavier Sudduth, NJ. D., in Union
Signal.