The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-17
Robert Ingersoll
On Alcohol
Editor Roanoke World News:

Editor Roanoke World News:
Colonel Ingersoll. In addressing jury trying
case involving the manufacture of alcohol.
described this arch-enemy OF the human race
most effectively. l send you herewith a copy
of this address and hope that you will pub
iish it. 1t is as follows:
II am aware that there is prejudice against
any engaged in the manufacture of al
cohol l believe that from the time 1t issues
from the coiled and poisonous worm in the dis
tillery until it empties into the hell of death,
dishonor and crime it demoralizes everything
that touches 1t from its source to it's end. l do
not peHeVe that anyone can contemplate the
fobJect without prejudice. against the liquor
crime. All we have to do gentlemen, is to
think of the wrecks on either bank of the stream
OF death. of the suicides, of the insanity of the
poverty. of the ignorance of the restitution of
the little children Juggling at the faded and
withered breasts of weeping and despairins
mothers, of wives asking for bread of men of
genius 1t is has wrecked the men struggling with
Imaginary serpents.
i believe every thoughtful man is prejudiced
against this damned stuff that is called alcohol.
lntemperance cuts down youth in its vigor
MANHOOD IN its strength, and age in its weak
ness IL breaks the fathers heart, bereaves
the aetiHg ni7tfer. grasses coniugaI love bots
out fial attachments. blights parental hope
and brings down mourning age in sorrow to
the grave 1t produces weakness, not strength;
sickness. not health: death. not life. 1t makes
and all of them panpers and beggars
1T feeds rheumatism govt, invites
cholera, imports pestenCe and embraces con-
sumption. 1t covers the land with idleness,
misery and crime. 1t fills jails almshouses
and asylums.
1T engenders controversy. fosters quarrels.
and cherishes riots, 1t crowds our penitentiaries
and furnishes victims for the scaffod 1t is the
life blood Of the gambler. the element of the
burglar the prom of the hghwayman, and the
support of the midnight ncendiary.
at countenances the liar respects the thief
, esteems the blasphemer. 1t violates obhga-
TONS reverences fraud, and honors infamy. /,
defames benevolence, hates love, scorns virtue
and ISLANDERS innocence.
4 1T incites the father to butcher his helpless
offspring. helps the husband to massacre his
wife, and the child to grind the parricidal tx.
1T burns UP men, consumes women, detests
life. curses Cod and despises heaven.
1T suborns witnesses. nurses perjury. defiles
/ the jury box, and stains the judicial ermne.
1T degrades the citizen, debases the legisla-
tor. dishonors the statesman. and disarms the
patriot.
despair hope misery. happiness: and
with the malevolence of fiend 1t calmly sur
veys its frightfu desolation and. unsatisfed with
havoc it poisons felicity, kills peace, ruins NOR
ais blights confidence, Stays reputation. and
wipes out national honor--then curses the world
and laughs at its ruin
1T does all that and more--it murders the
soul. 1t is the sum of all vlanes and father
/ of all crimes, the mother of all denominations
the devils best friend and Gods worst enemy
| CITIZEN.