The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-04-03
Alcohol and Crime In France,

In thoughtful and suggestive article in
recent issue of LIE Matin. NJ. Henry Fou-
quier moralizes on the two faces that hu-
man character presents in the events,
chronicled daily in the newspapers. One
moment the reader is thrilled with the
tale of heroism such as was shown on the
beach opposte the stranded packet boat
La Russie. and the next is Mortified by
the recountal nf crimes that offend every
sense Of morality. decency and humanity
itself: In view Of recent events. he Won
ders, if Paris will not soon hold the record
for horrible crimes
French character, nevertheless. still in
the main deserves the old nroverb bad
head. but GOOD heart" Paris has known
all the follies. including that of blood. but.
it is not in history that one must search
for the reasons for the present moral de-!
generacy. Says NJ. Fouquier. "It is still. I
believe, accidental and curabIe Poor Bau-,
delaire. great poet. but absolutely unrea-
sonable man, imagined that he was open-l
ing to us the door of artificial paradses'I
forms. In reality. the open door is thatl
of hell. 1t is alcohol, in all it's forms,
which creates these veritable demoniacs,.
who sometimes furious, sometimes be-i
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 s one,
alcoholic for every ten of Che population,s
whether they be conscious of it or not.
The devoted men who have made them
selves the apostles of the crusade against
alcohol, which deem one of the grea test
movements of our times. give in their:
pamphlets and their lectures, which cam
he I'm in, ohar ha
picture of the ravages that alcohol pro-
duces, in whatever manner it is introduced
into our economy. ONLY they do not insist
enough, perhaps, on disguised alcoholism, ;,
that is alcoholic poisoning in subjects that!
possess all appearances 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-;;
pert it. !
"I knew literary man, who was not
only full of talent and a gallant man, but,
moreover of most scrupulous correctness:
he drunkard, yet he was one in his time.
Experiencing nervous troubles, menacing'
symptoms of paralysis. he went, without;
revealing his identity. to great physician,
The doctor. after a rapid examination!
said, rather brusquely, you are losing
your time coming to see me. You know,
very we'll that if YOU want to be cured
you have only to stop getting drunk
"Only those who know my friend cam
imagine the indignant stupefaction caused
by these words OF the doctor.
'"T? I, drunkard! I was never in
toxicated once in my life. I never enter
4 cafe I dine with my family i
Explanations followed. My friend
drank one bottle of wine a day and one
finger of chartreuse after his coffee. For
him that was alcoholism.
eve must understand it. Alcoholic
poisoning exists outside even OF habitual!
intoxication. The enemv of human rea-
son can insinuate itself without noise,
without excess, drop by drop. one may
gay, and vet may take possession of the
place all the same. 1t is Tartufe who
awaits the last act. delirium tremens or
paralysis. to proclaim himself master OF
The house It is for us, by every means,
to close the door on him. In this emer-
yency I understand the state reason. for
If one uses it for temporary and personal
| affairs how much more legitimate Is its
dse when it is question of guarding the
aealth and greatness of our race"