The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-01-18
Drink Habit Abroad.

Rev. J. I. Sutherland, who has made a
study OF the temperance question In several
foreign countries, finds some hopeful signs
In England. Here are few extracts from
his deductions:
Increasing attention called to the evils
OF drink in England. Temperance societies
growing steadily stronger and more numer-
gus. One vigorous society recently formed
for the express purpose OF waking up the
churches. Temperance literature increas-
Ing fast. Drinking customs changing for
the better. Statesmen slowly waking up
to see what burden strong drink Is to the
kingdom, as destroyer OF wealth and a
crippler OF industry and what menace as
a corrupter OF politics and producer OF
,rime. Military men beginning to see that
drink Is great weakener of the army.
Total abstainers found to stand the severest
campaigns where even moderate drinkers
break down. Medical men recognizing the
serious effects OF drink upon the health OF
the people. Laboring men learning to see
In II a foe to industry. Children receiving
temperance teaching.
Nearly everywhere the native races OF
Africa brought into contact with Euro
peans are decaying. Investigations have
been made again and again as to the
causes. Always the answer is the same.
The causes are vices introduced by Euro
pCduS, luC mOSt MluNi1 SHACoAiuk 0hO ANN
structive OF which Is the drink habit.
In France and Germany somewhat
larger proportion OF wine aud beer is used
and relatively less distilled liquor than In
England, and there is not so much drunk
enness in sight. But In both countries
drinking is even more universal than In
England.
The statistics Issued by the French Min
ister Of Justice for 1896 tells us that OF all
persons convicted for murder In Paris that
year fifty.three per cent were confirmed
drunkards; OF persons convicted for seri-
GUS offences against morals the same per
cent. were confirmed drunkards; of per-
sons convicted OF begging and vagabond-
age seventy per cent. were confirmed
drunkards, and OF persons convicted for
crimes Of violence short of murder ninety
per cent. were confirmed drunkards.
Not only does wine-drlnking hold its
own, but the appetite which 1t creates
leads steadily to the use OF stronger
liquors. The drinking OF abslnthe Is COM
Ing to he widely prevalent, and the use OF
distilled spirits has increased 800 per cent.
In twenty-five years.
Statistics regarding drunkenness are
very difficult to obtain in Germany. be-
cause drunkenness Is looked upon with so
great leniency and is not usually classed
among crimes. Even the president OF the
best known Temperance" society in Ger
many declares that man may get drunk
a great many times without being in the
least addicted to drink or in danger OF be-
coming So" Careful aud conservative es-
| Inmates put the number Of habitual drunk
ards at 400 900.
OF the 2s, 800 patients in the insane
asylums of Prussia in the year 1889, not
less than ten per cent. had delirium tre-
mems.
Economists are beginning to see that II
Germany could get rid of the disadvantages
that come to her from the drink habit o
her people 1t would give her tremendou:
advantage In her industrial competition
with other nations.
Soldiers who are habitual beer drinker:
are found to have only eighty or eighty
five per cent. OF the endurance OF soldier:
who are total abstainers and considerably
less mental quickness and precision. The
True Reform.