Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-21

clefgymen to suppress yarcira+sa.
which they declared to Ibid ae1,anoa
10 heaven itself, even the wil, ~ GO !.
When anaesrhetics We're fret 49,
ducsd they We're condemned as on -.
warranted means to escana ut
uecrees. Ihus we see everywhara =,
the past evidences of the blind nov
Nersltv OF human reason, and the hfttsr
opposition OF mankind ITO its own a
Vancement in the knowledge of r,,tn,
ana we are also forced to ,,ecoo,,;va ~, >
serious consequence to humanit,, ,,,n,a..
this perverse rejection of neNy s,,,t,,
Nteius mo Nhe realms of mans rela-
non To physical laws. AS far as IN
oiViauai Well-being is concerned If
matters not what opinions we enter
tain CT cosmic philosophy. Whether
we thlnk the sun rises and sets. or only
say SO. IN conformity with curren,
language. The harmony of the mi
verse is not disturbed by any errors wa
may entertain of the planetary svstem
The sunlight lblesses us. the SIT ans no. ~,
upon US. seed time and harvest fail
not. The music of the spheres goes on
IN Its eternal anthem however little We
comprehend of these grave mysteries.
But alas! how. fearful the penalties
that mankind has suffered for its
ignorance of-the laws of physical fife.
ana the principles of medical soieece.
OF all the penalties : OF
misery and death that humanity has
suffered. none has blighted and cursed
the race as the consequences of. ignor-
ance, and error. concerning the nature
and effaat of alcohol upon the human
system. ne nations of antiquity
We're blighted by the resultant evil, ana
modern civilization has groaned be-
meath ane curse. 1t effects not only
vital. statistics, but the very fountains
OF human happiness have been poi
sened and the sources of moral life
polluted by lit. OF all the errors that
have possessed human minds the delu-
sion of the benefits of alcoholic bever-
ages has been the most far reaching
and serious; and the last to yield to the
revelations of science. In 1910 Robert
Warner, a Quaker abstainer of Lon
don, was refused life insurance by tihe
companies of that city, because he was
imperilling his life by total abstinence,
Finally they consented to insure him
on condition that he should pay ten
per cent. additional for the extra
hazardous condition from his danger
Gus habit. Today statisticians testify
that the mortality of total abstainers
is is per cent. less than that of nom
abstainers. Modern science has ut
tered its verdict against the delusive
ideas of the beneficial effects of alco-
hol, and shows it to be injurious in its
nature and working. Sir Benjamin.
Ward Richardson of England, was the
first great leader in medical science to
publish the facts of its actual effects
upon the human system. His studies
in alcohol attracted the attention of an
American woman, of Boston. AS she
considered the full significance of the
revelations he made, and saw on every
hand civilization bQighted, and in
dividuals cursed by ignorance of these
facts, she puzzled over the great
problem of how to reach the race that
is "perishing for lack of knowledge"
with the truth that alone can free it
from the fearful consequences of the
decisions into which 1t was born.
Modern research had furnished the
lever of scientific facts concerning al
cohol, and like the ancient philosopher,
the modern woman pondered, could l
but find fulcrum for this lever, l
might move the world. From out the
realm of eternal truth came the ar
swer of infinite wisdom, THE Full
CRJIM OF THIS LEVER THAT
SHALL MOVE THE WORLD is THE.
PUBLIC SCHOOL" Thus may be
planted the truths that shall redeem
| the race from the fearful consequences
of it's SUBSCRIPTIONS concerning alcohol.
But how vast the undertaking IN
volved. To engraft upon the public
school system of this great republlc
then unWrtten science. 1t meant ID
obtain congressional enactment for all
schools under Federal control. ana
separate legislation in its favor IN over
40 states Such a gigantic conception
was not born in the brain OF Ia
natic." Such undertakings are no'
achieved tW 'tcrank." Mrs. Mary n.
Hunt is not a ''goody enthusiast
merely. though she is good, ana she IS
| ansthusiastic She is also an educator
and scientist. A fife director OF the
National Education Association, ana
honorsd as an expert by European
scientific societies that would not
recognize ner detractors.
Ry her generalship through the
agency ofthe Woman's CHRISTIAN lem
nerance Union, the great purpose mas
been wisely and successfully inaugural
| ted. e.,
The first state to pass a ia" ~
scientific temperance instruction M''
Vermont in 1882, Michigan ana Ne"
Hamnshire followed in 1888, New YORK
and Rhode Island in 1884. and IN 1893
Maine with many other states Joilieu
tba nroeressive ranks. The year 1851
vii, he ever memorable in the history
nf the movement for the passage os
ronpress of the national Temperance
aaucation law for all schools uioer
Federal control. The Womahhoou u.
the nation, North, South, East ailt'
West. in storm and sunshine Wen'
! from house to house seeN.i'S
SIGNATURES for their petitions "n.ei'
anne so thick and fast that the opp
sition in Congress was smothereu pe
naath them. Opposition was not iach-
inc the fight was bitter. the victory
great.
Paceutly the Assistant AttorneyGeh-
,.,1ofthe United States has rendered al
! nin;un in which he says that VI Is 'iie