The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-01-17
Novel Means TO Combat Rum.

Into1ication is so alarmingly on the in
crease in Belgium that the authorities are
ut their wits end to discover some method
OF checking it's growth. 1t Is asserted that
in Brussels and In the rural places every
other man is drunkard. In Antwerp al
cohoism Is not so prevalent. but 1t 1s Tad
enough even there. It is feared that the
national life is in danger, and the Govern
ment Is thoroughly aroused because OF the
seriousness OF the situation.
The prohibition element, which ts very
small, Is doing all 1t can in an evangelical
way, but Is not especially successful In Its
labors. The latest order OF the Govern.
ment in the matter directs that In Ant
werp, Brussels aud In the rural towns the
professional and amateur theatrical talent
are to devote one night week to plays
thnt teach temperance.
All OF the theatres are, ordered to reserve
one night for preaching from the stage
through the medium Of q play. and many
of the leading playwrights otsthe country
have been asked totprepare drn mas depict
ing the fearful curse brouSht upon the
people throug gh alcohol
1t Is suggested that In the plays pro-
duced on "Alcohol Nights" there shall be
scenes illustrating the degradation ano
misery resulting from drink; showing
homes, wherein father or mother, or both
are drunkards, and little children are sui
fering from their drunken fury and their
neglect; deilneating the horrors OF de-
lirium tremens, and murders In tue
frenzy Of intoxicatlon, and to be especially
particular to make prominent the offensive
and awful side Of the use OF fntoxicants by
women and girls. ".' &c =
The matter has been taken up with en-.
ergy In Brussels. and here the; walls ana
every possible place. where o poster can be
placed is adorned with pictures OF scenes
ines ln big printssand placards OF various
kinds are to Seen everywhere.
OF course, the unsympathetic SCOT al
this parental effort Of the Government oil
Belgium to upIift the people and save the
nation from degeneration. It Is too early
now to say how,muchgood will come oul
OF this extraordinary war on drink, bu'
the authorities are sanguine that greal
work will be done. - III
Drunkenness, Drunkenness Everywhere
: In Princeton Henry Cunningham goi
drunk and groped about his Jiouse for bis
bottle. He overturned lamp and wns
burned to death. I
John Kuue, after swearing solem My that
bo would never again touch liquor, dranS
to cot in Bellevue, with wife and three
children waillnG about him.
Mrs. Emily Bigelow, wearing diamonds
enough to fit out showcase, and with. g
handbook showing q balance OF SSo, ,0o0
tried to spend 1t all for liquor. She Wa
found drunk 10 the street, crying, afstys
me drink or / shall 20 crazy - - II "
Drunkenness; drunkenness, drunkenness
everywhere and on all sides. The police
stations are filed with it, the courts are
swamped with 1t, the country is cursed
with it. 1t seems to be national falling
without national cause.
We are prosperous. Therefore it cannot
have hopelessness for starter. We are
hard working and wealthy nation. There
fore poverty cannot BIZ tho general iacen-
tive. Our Puritan ancestors were mol
drunkards. But the strain o. drunkenness;
exists, and, strange to say, it is regarded
by drinkers themselves not as q habit, bu
O arecreatlon.-New York Journal.