The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-10-14
"SWEET" CIDER,
Facts Which Show Thot There In
Really No such Thing.

Really No such Thing.
Sweet cider is a much scarcer article
than it is generally supposed to be
In fact, very great part of that which
is called by that name is not sweet
cider at all.
Most cider is made from apples which
have been blown upon the ground and
have lain rotting in the October sun
for several days. We all know that the
presence of rotten apples very much
hastens the process of decay among
the good ones. Now, fermentation is
decay. There is no alcohol in rotten
apples because the liquid is not con-
fined, and some of the materials neces-
sary to the making of alcohol escape
But the presence of decayed fruit in
the cider will hasten the process of
fermentation. Scientists tell us that
alcohol is foundin cider within "a hours
of the time when it is made, and in a
less time when cider is made of par
tially-decayed fruit. Thus we see that
some cider contains alcohol when it is
first made, and that all cider ferments
so rapidly that it contains alcohol with
in a few hours.
In the second place, by nearly all per-
sons new cider is called sweet for about
three days after the fruit is pressed,
by many for longer period. We know
that it contains considerable quantities
of alcohol within three days. There is
thus narrow margin for the correct
application of the name, and a very
broad one, in which adventures upon
the domain of a most deceitful and in
sidious poison.
Cider undergoes a change so stealth
lily that ordinary persons do not easily
detect it. No one would venture upon
drinking a glass of milk which might
OF might not contain strychnine; it
would be we'll indeed if all would avoid
as carefully a drink which may or may
not contain a more treacherous enemy.
This Indebtedness in the application
of the name is every year mastering to
the ranks of drinkers thousands of the
best of American manhood. If "sweet"
cider may be drunk at home why not
abroad? If there is no danger con-
nccted with drinking it from the barrel
which stands in fathers orchard, surely
there is none connected with accept
ing that which is given or sold abroad?
Right here is a special danger from the
fact that once you begin to buy cider
you are dealing with an entirely I'M
known quantity.
Few persons deliberately set them
selves to learn to love Intoxicating
drinks. The fruity taste Of the cider
covers the taste of alcohol but does not
protect from its effects. Slowly or rap
idly, but surely, the use Of sweet cider
leads to the desire for stronger drinks,
and thousands thus cultivate an appe-
tite for liquor who would never enter
saloon; and Deacon So-and-so who
keeps cider made from his own apples
is greater menace to temperance than
tipping Mike who lies in the ditch.
He who knows the danger of the first
approach of the most terrible of foes,
who sees through it's thousand masks,
who has seen the fall of innocent youth
and of strong, glorious manhood, who
knows how, little by little the tyrant
fastens its chains and drags its victims
down-suCh a one will set his face
steadily against anything which will
be the beginning of brothers ruin
Clara A. Raworth, in Union Signal.