Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-09-08
W. G. 7. U. NOTES

Temperance keeps the senses clear
| and unembarrassed, and makes them
seize the object With more keenness and
satisfaction. 1t appears with life in face
and decorum in the person; it gives you
the command of your head, secures your
health, and preserves you in condition
for business"-Jercmy Collier.
| We select the following from an article
in recent number of the Union Signal,
entitled, "Alcoholic Stupor the Cause of
Crimes" by DR.. T. D. CTothers:
"Recent studies make clear the fact that
crime In all persons who drink comes
largely from the numbing or anesthetic
effects of alcohol. Thus, alcohol pre-
pares the ground for crime and makes II
possible for the man or woman to do
wrong. This comes from the duliing and
SIMPLIFYING action on the higher brain.
The man or woman using alcohol Is less
honest, less moral, less truthful and alto
gether lowered in every way. The senses
are dulled with every glass of spirits.
They cannot see, hear, feel or think as
quickly or accurately. This may not be
apparent at first, yet 1t can be measured
by instruments of precision, and later it
will appear in slight changes which grow
deepens into the full night. This is a
literal tearing down of all the brain and
body, making it unfit and incapable of
living natural, normal life, destroying
the power and capacity to deal justly and
honestly with others. The ethical brain
or that part which deals and decides on
questions of right and wrong, and duty
and obligation to others, is depressed,
dulled and made stnpid. The coarser
animal brain may go on with little APP
parent change and yet the damage to the
higher brain be very severe. Few people
realize that the poison of alcohol in
moderation or excess falls most heavily
on the higher moral brain. A fit of in
toxication is like blow, conclusion
from which it is very doubtful If full re-
covery follows. The fine sense of honor
and high ethical moral conceptions arc
injured, a change has taken place, which
is increased by every glass Of spirits.
"The continuous use of spirits permits
no recovery to follow, the an@sthesia aud
depressing effects grow and deepen and
all power to judge of higher claims of
life becomes feebler. Criminality may
not appear, but the conditions are favora-
BILE; the soil is prepared and only awaits
favorable opportunity to break out into
criminal acts. This fact is recognized in
part by many great corporations, who re-
fuse to trust moderate drinkers in places
of trust, thus acknowledging their moral
weakness and inability to bear tempta-
tions. Thus in many ways the stupor,
or rather the numbing action of alcohol
leads up TO crime with absolute certainty.
] Crime not noted always In the court
rooms, but crime in the family, in society
in business, criminal acts in every days
association of mon and women, in the
church, and school and everywhere.
Every reader will recall instances and
every years experience brings out the
fact with greater prominence.
| "a very prominent case, which has
disturbed a wide circle Of friends, and
agitated public opinion is now on trial.
. A man of great repute and wealth has
become forger, thief, and committed
arson. For years he used spirits mod
erately at home, and has gradually be-
come more miserly, dishonest and un-
truthful. His social relations are doubt
full, and finally he is detected in many
fragrant crimes which he denies.
Ellis previous good character and the
: date of his evil conduct from the time o.
using spirits is q complete chain of caus,
and effect.
/ "This is another illustration of the
{ action of alcohol on the higher brain pre-
, disposing to crime"
The editor of Christian Work says, ant
! we think altogether justly. that "evidenc'
: aocumulates to show that the army can
teen is disgrace to our military estab
lishment and source of crime and de
moralization among our soldiers where
ever it is established. The very idea o.
running these 'beer saloons under gov
eminent auspices, with soldiers acting il
tho capacity of bar-tenders, is repugnan
g to the enlightened consciousness of thu
i American people, and the system shoult
+. not be tolerated any longer. The argu
I ment that the soldiers will have thei
. beer anyway, and, therefore, it is bette
that it should be dispensed to then
!, through an institution under military
: control where excuses may be guarded
Q against, is weak and foolish. II canno
Q be admitted that beer is a necessity TO
Q any one, and there is no excuse for thu
5 government entering upon the beer bust
q ness and thus giving its sanction to |
u habit which leads to so much crime ant
: suffering. The inevitable tendencies o
!. camp life under the most favorable con
!. ditions are to weaken the moral fiber ant
g lower the standards of moral conduct
q and it is shameful thing that this drift
+ toward evil should be helped along b,
the institution of government grog shops
: 1t will be greater victory for the Amer
!. lean people than the acquisition Of an.
island of the sea if this 'canteen' abomi
nation can be now and forever sup