Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-12-01
30 INGERSOLL
ON ALCOHOL.


COL lNGEkSUI.L, III addressing a
jury trying a cas- involving the manu-
facture OF alcohol, described this arch
enemy OF the human race thu effec-
lively:
Il am WARE that there is prejudice
against n man engaged in the manu-
facture Of alcohol. l believe that from
the time it issues from the coiled and
poisonous worm in the distillery until
ii empties into the hell of death. dis
honor and crime. il demoraliZes every
thing that touches il from its source TO
its end. l do not believe that any
one can contemplate the object with
out 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 de.
spairing mothers, of wives asking for
bread, of men of genius it has wreck.
ed, the men struggling with imaginary
serpents.
Il believe every thoughtful mar is
p~rejudiced against this Internal stuff
that is called alcohol.
"Intemperance cuts down youth i'll
its vigor. manhood in its strength and
& in its weakness. II breaks the
fathers heart. bereavcs the doting
nathan nEtinp1iShnS nntur.l nffnp-
tons, grasses conjugal love, blots out
filial attachments, blights parental
hope and brings down mourning age in
sorrow to the grave. II produces
weakness, not strength; sickness, not
health; death, not life. II makes
wives widows, children orphans. faith.
crs ficnds and all of them paupers
and bcggars.
1T feeds rheumatism. nurses cut
invites cholera, imports pestilence and
embraces consumption. II covers the
land with idlencss, misery INT crime.
II fills our jails. almshouses and asy-
lums.
1T engenders controversy, fosters
quarrels and cherishcs riots. Ii crowds
Il p~enitentiaries and furnishes vic
tins for the scaGfold. 1t is the life
blood of the gambler, the element of
the burglar. the prop of the highway
man n the support OF the midnight
incendiary.
1T countenances the liar, respects
the theft, stems the blasphemer. II
violates obligations, reverences fraud
and hOnors infamy. 1t defames be-
nevolence hates love. scorns virtue
and ISLANDERS innocence.
1T incites the father to butcher his
helpless offspring, helps the husband
to massacre his wife, and the child TO
grind the parricidal ak.
1T burns up men. consumes women.
detests life. curses God and despises
heaven.
1T suborns witnesses. nurses per-
jury. defles the jury box and stains
the judicial ermine.
1T degrades the citizen. debases the
legislator ~dishonors the statesman
and disarms the patriot.
1T brings shame. not honor; terror,
not safety; despair, not hope; misery.
not happiness; and with the male
Violence of a fiend ii calmly surveys
its frightful desolation and unsatisied
with havoc. 1t poisons felicity. kills
peace, ruins morals, blights conf
dcnce, Stays reputation and wipes out
national honor-then curses he world
and laughs at it's ruin.
1T does all that and more-it murd.
ers the soul. 1t Is the sum OF all
villainies, the father of all crimes. the
mother of denominations, the devils
best friend and Gods worst enemy"