Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-03-21
Alcohol and Crime in France.

In thoughtful and Suggestive article in
recent Issue of lie Matin, NJ Henry Fou-
nnier moralizes on the two faces that hu-
nan character presents in the events
ehronIcied daily in the newspapers One
moment the reader is thrilled with the
tale of heroism snch as was shown an the
Ieacn onposlte the stranded packet boat
la Russie. and tho next is borrifed bv
the recountal Of crimes that offend every
sense OF morality. decency and humanity
iItsen: "a view or recent events. he won
GERS II Paris will not soon hold the record
Tor horrible crimes
French character. nevertheless. still in
the main deserves the old nroverh "Bad
head. hnt GOOD heart" Paris has known
a'l the follies, including that of blood bnt
= rs not IN history that one must search
Tor the reasons for the present moral de-
generacy. Says NJ. Fouquier ''It is still. T
believe, accidental and durable. Poor Bau-
delalre, great poet. but absolutely unrea-
ssonable man. imagined that he was onen-
ing to. us the door of artificial paradises'
IN IN eulogIzing iintoxication in its various
forms: In realtv. the onen door is that
OF hell. 1t is alcohol in all its forms.
which creates these veritable demoniacs.
who sometimes furious sometimes he
sotted. live in onr midst. numerous enough
sn that their crimes do not arrest our at
ton save when they are committed in
some unusual way.
"In certain classes at least. there is one
alcoholic for every ten of the population,
whether thev be conscious of it or not.
The devoted men who have made them
selves the anostles of the crrsa de against
alcohol. which I deem one of the greatest
movements OF olr times. give in their
pamphlets and their lectures. which cam
not be too great in number. the eloquent
ricture of the ravages that alcohol pro-
duces, IN whatever manner it is introduced
into orr economy Onlv they do not insist
enough. nerhans. on disguised alcoholism
that is alcoholic poisoning in subjects that
possess all anneararces of Temperance and
who are really not drunkards. Hereditary
or acquired nervousness has so developed
in our race that the evil of alcoholism can
cause its havoc in men who do not sus-
pect it.
81 knew literary man. who was not
only full of talent and gallant man. but
moreover of most scrupnlous correctness
of life. He would have died of shame to
be drunkard. vet he was one in his time.
Experiencing nervous troubles, menacing
symptoms OF nara'vsis. he went. without
revealing his identity. to a GREAT physician
said. rather hrusouely. You are losing
vour time comino to see me. You know
very well that if YOU want to be cured
yon have only to ston getting drunk
"Only those who know nv friend can
IMAGINE the indignant stunefaction caused
w 'urse WOIuS Vi iHe tOctOT
L? |, drunkard' | was never in
toxicated once in my lie. I never enter
4 cafe. I dine with my family
Explanations followed. NY friend
drank one bottle of wine day and one
finger of chartreuse after his coffee. For
him that was alcoholism.
eve must understand it. Alcoholic
noisoninc exists outside even of habituaI
intoxication. The eremv of human rea.
son can insinuate itself without noise.
without excess. dron by drop. one NAV
say. and vet may take possession of the
place all the same " is Tartufe who
awaits the last act. delirium tremens or
paralysis. to proclaim himself master OF
the house. II is for us. by everv means,
to close the door on him. In this emer-
rency I understand the state reason. for
if one uses it for temporary and personal
affairs how much more legitimate is its
use when it is a question of guarding the
health and greatness of our race"