The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-08-19
is CONSIDERED DISREPurAeLE
The Rapid Decrease of Drunkenness
in the United States.


in the United States.
The arrest and humiliation of mem
Der of one of the companies of the Hi
nois national guard at Camp Lincoln
Tor drunkenness was an event invested
with more significance than attaches
to mere infraction of military dis
cipline. 1t is true that the state does
not want any drunkards among its de-
Tenders. IntoXicatiOn has certainly
ceased to be a soldierly attribute-if it
ever was one-in this country.
But there was Il time when the occur
renee at Camp Lincoln would have eN-
cited nothing more than passing COM
ment. 1t would have been regarded as
one of the commonplace "larks" to
which rollicking soldier boys are wont
to abandon themselves. But this year
the offender was not only subjected to
much humiliation but was severely pun
ished under the new law governing the
military forces of the state.
The incident furnishes occasion for
adverting to the unmistakable growth
of a public sentiment that refuses to
cOndone alcoholic excuses.
Incorporate indulgence in alcoholic
stimulants is more thoroughly under
the ban of public disapproval in this
country to-day than ever before in our
history In every avenue of human en-
deayor the habit of drunkenness is
properly regarded as a mark of dis
qualification. Such palpable lack OF
self-control is, by common acknOwi-
edgment, the surest sign of unfitness
for any of the responsibilities of bust
| ness or society.
There is no doubt that the develop
ment of such sentiment has resulted
in a marked decrease in drunkenness.
| The moderate drinker is acquiring a
contempt for the drunkard; society has
| no use for him; even the club casts him
out; and sharp competition in the bust
ness world is putting premium on
sobriety.
Time was when young men went to
college partly for the purpose of ''sow-
ing their wild oats" and generally man
aged to acquire, among other valuable
| accomplishments, an appetite for
whisky. Drunken carousals were fire.
quent among college students in earlier
days. To-day drunkenness at college
is not only the signal for complete os-
tracsm, but is occasion for prompt dis
missal by the college authorities. 1t is
no longer regarded as a mark of eX-
traordinary mental brilliancy for a
newspaper man to indulge in periodical
sprees. The eXactions and arduous du-
ties of modern journalism require a
| steady nerve and an unClOuded brain.
Reputable newspapers no longer toi-
crate drunkards on their stats. Even
the man who gets tipsy at a banquet
nowadays Immediately forfeits the re-
| spect of his fellows, no matter what
may be his position or station in life.
They regard him with feelings of min
gled pity and contempt.
The decrease in drunkenness has not
| been brought about by legislation. 1t
has been amply demonstrated that laws
viii not make men temperate, The de-
crease in drunkenness is due to the eX-
acting demands of our industrial life
| and to the elevation of the moral tone
of the people to that standard where
public sentiment brands drunkard as
an objectionable offender against de-
cency and public order.-Chicago
| Times-Herald.