The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-19

UOU IVI Ubuvuv3ubl
WRITES BEST ESSAY ON AGO.
HoL AND is AWARDED
A PRIZE.
Recently Unity Woman's Christian
Temperance union offered a prize Tor
the best essay on the subject, "Alco-
hol," the essay to be written by
pupil of the Highland Park schools.
The subject was assigned as Ensfisn
essay work in the month of March,
and a large number or essays on the
subject were sent in.
In order that the essays might be
properly judged. no names were signed
to them. Each was turned in by the
writer and given number. the
writer's name was entered on slip
opposite that number and the slip
( sealed in an envelope. The judge of
I the contest knew nothing whatever
of the writer's.
When the essay was selected, 1t was
found that Miss Jeanette Quarles, OF
Highland Park, was the author of the
winning composition. The prize was
awarded at exercises in the audi
. torium of the school few days ago.
Following In Miss Quarles' essay;
History has proven that alcohol Is
by far the greatest evil with which the
civilized world has had to contend. 1t
is q deadly poison and the effect on
the entire body is injurious. The con-
tstant use of alcohol will soon wear
away the tissues and cells of the body.
1t causes a man to lose his self
respect and also the respect of others.
He becomes slave to whiskey. His
strength decreases and he Is not able
TO work as "A man should. In other
words. 1t units man for his position
in the world.
Many of the cases of insanity, muir
der and crimes of all kinds are the
result OF this intoxicating liquor. 1t is
estimated that the cost of providing
for the added crimes, pauperism and
idiocy and insanity in the United
States caused by alcohol exceeds
5000. 100000. This combined with
the amount spent for Intoxicating
beverages would civillze with regard
to religion every country on the globe
and build railroad three times
around the world. Many wars have
been carried on all over the world,
+ but all combined they have not been
as destructive as alcohol. in fact. al
cohol Is ten thousand times more de-
, W
( the appalling fact that il is killing
off as many Americans every year as
/ the wars of the world have killed in
2.S00 years man that drinks
whiskey should net be allowed to
serve in the army and navy. He has
to pass an examination before he la
accepted and IL he Is user of alcohol
in any respect at all he cannot pass
the examination. Suppose with this
state of affairs in America a war
should he declared, who would be
able to serve? over thirty-nine rail-
( roads have refused to hire alcoholic
users because Of its effect. They have
realized that total abstainers are the
of every civilized government to pro-
tect its citizens. But are they doing
it? How is it to be accomplished
when the government grants a license
To the harkeeper? In our cities and
towns barrooms stand on every few
corners ready to entice young and old.
Some will contend the bartender must
live. OF course that Is true, but are
there not any number of occupations
In which he could engage? As stated
above the barkeeper is licensed by
the government and the government
belongs to the people. The blame Ia
have not done their utmost to abolish
il. Some organizations, az the Wo-
mans Christian Temperance union.
have worked hard and faithfully to
rid our country of this terrible de-
stroyer. But they need the support
or the great minded men and wo-
men of our nation. The government
can help n great deal. very great
deal in this cause. 1t should require
all public servants to be total abstain
ers. The federal government In all
its branches, army, navy and State
government, etc, should require the
employees to be total abstainers. No
nation has kept this destroyer in it's
midst and survived, America is not
different from other countries or
nations or history. Alcohol is one of
the greatest predisposing causes of
disease known. A person that drinks
Is more susceptible to disease than
one that does not. 1t weakens his
vitality and causes heart trouble and
hardening OF the arteries. There are
Few good uses of alcohol Very sell
dom a doctor prescribes alcohol. This
once was frequent practice. but now
the doctor realizes the seriousness OF
using H. II liz a narcotic and not q
stimuiant as formerly supposed It Ii
used for heating purposes, especially
the alcoholic lamp. In conclusion. i
should say the bad effects OF alcohol
great outnumber the good ones. Az
long as the saloons are granted 4
license the temptation In put in the
way OF young and old and when this
is the case they are not strong enough
to resist, therefore. the saloon. the
greatest evil in the land. must be de-
stroyed All plans seem 10 be work
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