The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-08-23
OF Interest to Women
Drink Habit Among Women.

HAUL .NuVuN VVutVus
At the risk of being considered
croker. cannot refrain from again US
ing my pen in appeal to the women
of America to cease their Indulgence
in drinking anything of an alcoholic
nature. There has been much said in
the papers about the growth Of the
drink habit among women during the
past year, especially among those Of
fortune and fashion. who should be
examples in all things to their sex.
was recently at a luncheon in
splendid hotel in this city. which has
a cafe for people who are not guests.
While waiting to be served. saw two
stylish, pretty young women come in
to the cafe, take seats at a small table
and order two cocktails. They sat and
slipped the cocktails without anything
else, then rose and left the cafe.
They were too young really to be with
out a chaperon. but displayed an in
dependence and difference to COM
ments upon this astonishing abandon
that was painful to witness.
If any one has any doubt as to the
extent of the indulgence of women in
wine. cocktails, brandy and soda
most exclusive and aristocratic cafes
in any city, on almost any night, af-
ter the close of the theater and opera
performances, 'and he will see that
every seat at the tables is taken, and
that alcohol is served in some form
to each person, whether man or wo-
man. and 1t is the rarest thing that
you see a woman's glass turned down.
This Is melancholy evidence that
American women do not entertain the
same abstemious position as formerly
nor do they realize the demoralizing
influence they are eXerting over the
men of this country. There was a
time when few men would have dared
to order any kind of drink in the
presence Of his wife or other ladies'
Wine may have been taken in their
own homes, but to so into a public
place and order brandy and soda or
cocktails when ladies were in their
company was thing unheard of.
Now young man will take his mother
and sisters. and even his grandmother,
to these resorts and order cocktails
for them and himself. and if the grand
mother or mother declines, he con-
siders that it is public rebuke and
is very much offended thereby.
That there must be a halt to this
sort of thing there is no denying.
otherwise the nation will degenerate,
as all nations have that have been
reckless In the use of alcoholic slim
ulants. The women of any nation
are responsible for the standard of
virtue and temperance that is main
tanned by the men. Hence the in
nuence of the women of Puritan days
over the men of the American nation
laid the foundation for the prosperity
and civilization of the people of this
republic. The consequences of the
mingling of many races on this contin-
ent In the century and a half that has
passed has brought an unfortunate
cnange In our ideas of principles and
character, until we temporize with dis
slDation and are blind to its baneful
enects upon the generations that are
soon to be the home keepers and GUS
tod1ans OF the affairs of the republic.
l realize l am risking the forfeiture
OF friendship when I assert that we
cannot think that a self-respecting.
Intelligent woman. who realizes her
responsibilities to society, will in
public or in private indulge in
cigarette smoking or drinking. It has
been with great pain that 1 have wit
messed the indulgence of my sex in
these deplorable vices. and it is i'm
possible for me to find an excuse
for any woman. young or old, who
gives her sanction or joins men in
drinking or smoking
We are falling upon melancholy
days when it is necessary for ministers
OF the gospel to preach sermons on the
vicious habits of women in polite So
ciety. The women Of this country
have justly had the credit of doing
more toward the building up of
churches, educating the people and
advancing good work than the men.
and we should be very sorry if there
ever comes time when, through
habits contracted abroad, they for
get the high places they have hither-
to held. Legislation governing vice
of any character whatsoever is futile
if the women of the nation do not ar
ray themselves on the side of sobriety
and mOrality.-Mrs. John D. Logan