Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-06-21

LIE snnc etioenty IS near, when no
scholar OF tho west Caucasian nation
viii venture to dispute that alcohol Is
in every sense a foe TO life, a nervous
irritant, without trace OF nutritious
ingredients, and unauthorized nv an
inevitable progressive power In its
tendency to clutch the human organ
ism in the grip of body and mind-de-
stroying vice.
1t would not be too much to say that
the more or less clear knowledge of
those facts has by this time reached
a hundred million OF our fellow men,
without counting whole nations of
Buddhists and Mohammedans, who
have for ages mentioned it as an article
If faith.
I'm not conscious of any preju-
dices," said London physician, in re-
ply to convivial invitation, "and I
wish you a pleasant evening, but
hope you will kindly excuse my per-
sonal presence. Experience has taught
me that cannot drink and attend to
my business"
In that sense converts to the doc
trine of total abstinence have multi
piled in every country of the civilized
world, and their ranks recruit them
selves by a process of natural selection.
Topers are crowded out; the most COM
plete abstainers forge to the front. and
competition has already resulted in an
increasing tendency to total absti-
nence from all virulent tonics what
ever. Hence, anti-tobacco societies.
tea renouncers, and all sorts of non
stimulating substitutes for coffee.
Il wish YOU a pleasant evening" said
the London doctor. but n doubt is
gaining ground if even intelligent vot-
aries of pleasure had not better try
to realize their ideals outside of rum
shops. Epicureans are beginning to
appreciate the truth that the attempt
to trick life out Of the extra enjoy
ments is failure on the alcohol plan;
that the present pursuit of happiness
by intoNication is in every instance a
losing game, miscalculation by Just
as much as the delights of the brief
delirium are outweighed by the mis-
cries of the inevitable reaction. The
practical outcome OF that experience
has taken the forru Of a growing adj
dition To the literary enioyments, anna
teur art work, travel and outdoor
sports among classes whose former
habits had almost identified the ideas
Of merry making and intoNication.
''vexlng with mrth the drowsy ear OF
night"
Slavery was doomed from the day Of
its reputation by league of interna-
tional philanthropists, and the tri-
umphant adoption OF the Wilbsrforee
amendment turned the scales in the
deliberations of an assembly OF Span
ish-American delegates, who had come
half disposed TO vote for a resumption
of the African man-hunts.
Private propaganda of the anti
cruelty movement had no chance of
success SO long as kings and queens
were patronizing cruel sports (lille the
badger baitings, conducted by the
courtiers OF Queen Bess) but when So
ciety leaders had set the fashion Of
humanita rian reform, beast-fghts
, abated from the lack of patronage, till
il has now become nothing unusual TO
see artisans rush out of their shops to
stop scuflle of obstreperous dogs.
The progress of total abstinence has
raised the stsndltd's efsicien ", and
has made competitors more strenuous,
but incidentally IL has also accelerated
! its rate of advance, by compelling the
! recognition of its power, and, as il
were, couscripting thousands of re-
I luctant recruits. The intelligent part
of mankind has, in fact, almost
emerged from the poison fumes of al
J coholism.
The hideous mist is still lurking in
/ the valley regions, but it's efforts at
ascendance have nearly ceased, and its
apparently ominous concentration in
the depths only proves that it is fight
ing its last struggle for existence at a
disadvantage, and that light, its de-
stroyer, has conquered the heights
| Felix L. Oswald, in Union Signal.