Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-01-18
Novel Means to Combat Rum.


Intoxication is so alarmingly on the in.
crease in Belgium that the authorities are
ut their wits end to discover some method
OF checking its growth. 1t Is asserted that
In Brussels and in the rural places every
other man is drunkard. In Antwerp al
enough even there. 1t 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 is very
small, is doing all it can in an evangelical
way, but Is not especially successful in it's
labors. The latest order of the Govern
ment in the matter directs that in Ant
werp, Brussels and in the rural towns the
professional ana amateur theatrical talent
are to devote one night week to plays
that teach temperance.
All OF the theatres are ordered to reserve
one night for preaching from the stage
through the medium OF a play, and many
OF the leading playwrights of the country
have been asked to prepare dramas depict
ing the fearful curse brought upon the
people through alcohol.
1t is suggested that in the plays pro-
duced on "Alcohol Nights there shall be
scenes illustrating the degradation and
misery resulting from drink; showing
homes, wherein father or mother, or both
are drunkards, and little children are suf-
fering from their drunken fury and their
lirlum tremens and murders in the
frenzy of intoxication, and to be especially
particular to make prominent the offensive
and awful side of the use of intoXicants by
women and girls.
The matter has been taken up with en-
ergy in Brussels. and here the walls and
every possible place where poster can be
placed is adorned with pictures of scenes
OF horror from the ''alcohol' plays. Warn
ings in big prints and plncards of various
+ kinds are to seen everywhere.
OF course, the unsympathetc scoff at
this parental effort of the Government OF
Belgium to upiift the people and save the
nation from degeneration. 1t is too early
now to say how much good will come out
of this extraordinary war on drink, but
the authorities are sanguine that great
work will be done.
Drunkenness. Drunkenness Everywhere.
In Princeton Henry Cunningham got
trunk and groped about his house for his
bottle. He overturned a lamp and was
burned to DEATH
John Kane, after swearing soemnly that
he would never again touch liquor, drank
hims elf into eonvulsions and died, strapped
to cot in Bellevue, with wife and three
children wailing about him.
Mrs. Emily Bigelow, wearing diamonds
enough to fit out q showcase, and with
Dank- book showing q balance of $50, 900,
found drunk in the street, crying, "Give
ne drink or shall go crazy
Drunkenness, drunkenness, drunkenness
everywhere and on all sides. The police
stations are filled with it, the courts are
swamped with it, the country is cursed
with 1t. 1t seems to be Il national failing
without national cause.
We are prosperous Therefore it cannot
nave hopelessness for starter. We are
hard working and wealthy nation. There
fore poverty cannot be the general incen-
i've. Our Puritan ancestors were not
drunkards. But the strain OF drunkenness
exists, and, strange to say, 1t is regarded
by'drinkers themselves not as q habit, but
recreation.-Ne York journal.
Effects of Social Drinking.
People do not need to become drunkards
20 do great harm in this field. After u
quarter Of century ofindustry the family
discovers many social privileges denied
hem, because the father INDUCED daily i'll
few glasses Of beer. But for such prac-
Ices, how much more widespread would
De the uses and delights of education?
The children have been forced to leave
school before they otherwise would; they
have to go to work before they are able to
appreciate good literature and thus it's.
ennoblng influences are wholly lost to
them. Their minds remain weak and un-
stable aid they seek pleasure in light and
trlnlnS amusements. Ihe eHecl OF tutS IN
arresting development. of strength OF
character can not be doubted. We see
traces Of 1t every day in the faces OF hum
dreds who have never themselves been
addicted to the use of intoxcants. This is
one Of the most awful charges against in
temperance, and it is due more to what
are often called temperate habits than to
drunkenness. How much OF joy and dsweet-
ness and power Is thus denied us How
urgent the demand for total abstinence!
Great Editor on Drinking.
"It would be we'll for every Frenchman
to rise every morning with the thought
that he belongs to the race that consumes
the most alcohol.
"Alcohol is death to the race.
''Alcohol will kill the Europeans as 1t