The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-02
ALCOHOLISM IN FRANCE.
With Pure Cheap Wine No Longer I'm
Reach, Stronger Drinks Are Used.

Reach, Stronger Drinks Are Used.
Letter in New York Commercial Advertiser.
Depopulation is discussed by all thinking
men and learned societies, and all sorts of
remedies are proposed Along with this nu-
merical decrease another change is clearly
noted; the dOuceS moeurS, that is, the gen.
tie manners of the country are disappear
ing. Prophets arise to cry over this and each
finds a different reason for the sad state of
things. Paul de Cassagnac, the imperialst,
says that the spirit of the French is not
suited TO democratic form of government.
What they need is monarchial authority.
The clerical organs say that God is punish
ing France for it's atheism and its behavior
toward the church. Socialists try to prove
that capital and mOnopOlieS are the causes
of this visible decadence.
OF all statements, that of Mr.. Jules
Claret1e would seem to appeal most to the
impartial observer. He says that alcoholism
is the scourge of France, and a form of
hydrophobia; prohibition and legislation on
this point are impossible What is called
saloon politics in our country is just as
powerful here Its action is of the same
two-edged sort; the influence of the saloon
keeper on his district representative being
one of them, the degrading effects of the
poisonous drinks sold being the other. I'm
fortunately, 1t does not stop at mere drunk
enness. however. 1t is the cause of the de-
population of France. for alcohol not only
does it's dreadful work on the consumer but
his immediate offspring.
The French always drank, but were not
drunkards. Their pure, light caret, even
in quantities, did them no harm, but good
CHEAP WlIl1 Is ITO hunger OH the market, LOT
the phylloxera has destroyed the vines, and
chemical connections labeled wine are con-
sumed at table; between meals. alasl they
drink abSinthe, and the green demon acts
fatally on both nerves and brain, sapping
mems strength, causing insanity and crime
and provoking murderous fury The poor
man takes abSinthe for the pleasant sensa-
tions it creates, then Graves it. and must
have it: for like the opium habit the abb
sinthe habit grows. Students drink the
stuff as their daily tonic and Mr. Claretie
sadly tells us how they have not only made
1t part of their physical selves but in
fused it into their speech as well. They
call the opal-eyed NIKE that faScnateS, as
she glints in front of them in pale liquid
form "a pass for Clarendon i. e.. the chief
asylum for lunatics near Paris; and to show
how customs make slang, at 6:15 p. M, the
hour when the little tables lining the side
walks before the endless succession of
cafes on the main streets are crowded with
cous liquid by pouring water into it over
Jumps of sugar testing upon small per-
drinker says, looking at his watch and
dropping into seat: It's quarter past
absinther'
The danger is spreading from the cities
hardy flsherfolk, the sturdy, robust Bretons
and NoTmans, and the philosopher, who is
at once the able manager of the foremost
theater in the world and a brilliant journal
ist besides. says that these brave strong
fellows. so fine and healthy to-day. will soon
have wretched children, heirs not only to all
the ills of flesh but to all those derived from
drunken parents. Americans understand
figures and the following ones need no COM
ment: Canadians drink two quarts of al
cohol a head every year: Norwegians, three
fsixty years ago they drank sixteen quarts);
Swedes. four: Englishmen, nine and quar-
ter: Relgians and Germans, ten and a half
and Frenchmen. fourteen. So Mr.. Clar9tie
concludes that during the time that Norway
was becoming more temperate 1--WE We're
forging ahead in this steepIechase toward
death. and are becoming the maddest of all
alcohol drinkers in the world Sadder than
q fr az q e. L..
insane has had to be built in the Paris dis
trict (Seine) for incurable drunkards AL
year. one-sixth Of the cost Of tie Franco
PrussIan war: yet prohibition IS impossible
for King DramseIler would revoke every
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