The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-07-28
for alcoholic LIQUORS.


1925 to the family annually. II any po-
litical party attempted to increase the
taxes upon the people TO the one fiftieth
of that sum. it would be turned ont of
power by an indignant public. When
it is remembered that this tax is mol Hni-
form but is. on the average. heaviest
upon those least able TO bear it, is it not
worth while to consider how the nation
can be relieved of this enormous bur
den?
The object of this meeting Is not to
discuss the Government phases of the
liquor traffic, but rather to deal with
remedies that can be applied by the in
dividual without the aid of statute law,
and fortunately the plans which we pre-
sent tonight involve no coniroverted
questions. Whatever differences of opin-
ions there may be as to legal remedies,
no one doubts that total abstinence is,
as far as it gees, a complete remedy for
the drink habit. Every one who, by
his own resolve, separates himself from
those who drink and allies himself with
those who do not drink, to this extent
lessons the amount of liquor con-
sumed and lightens the task of
those who are called upon to deal with
the subject through legislation or
through the enforcement of law.
Brings No Advantage
Our appeal is to the individual, and |
ask your attention while present few
of the reasons which, TO my mind, justi-
fly total abstinence.
In the first place, let US consider the
physical reasons against the use of alco-
hol. To begin with, drink brings no
advantage whatever 10 one who drinks,
and since intelligence demands reason
for any course of action, the fact that
no good reason can be given for drink
ing ought to be sufficient to prevent the
use of liquor to any extent.
But the use of liquor is not only un-
necessary and injefendsible from tn e
standpoint of advantage, but it is OBJ
jectionable as beverage, even when
taken in the small quantities. 1t has
been scientifically demonstrated that
the modern use of alcohol decreases q
mans efficiency. An athlete cannot do
his best if he drinks at all; typewriter
will make more mistakes when drink
ing and soldier will be less accurate il
his aim. The accidents in industry are
increased in proportion as liquor is con
sumed. These are but few illustra.
tions of the effect of alcohol, even wher
but little is taken.
But there is an argument still more
easily understood, namely the increas-
ing demand for total abstinence which
is being made by employers On boats
grog used to be furnished TO sailors
1t is becoming more and more the rule
to deny it 10 them altogether. The
owner of a ship cannot afford to trus
passengers or cargo, or even the vessel
10 man who allows his brain to be
befu idled by alcohol
Our railroad managers are applying
more and more stringent rules against
drink. They cannot afford to take the
risk of either loss of life or damage t
property involved In the employment
of men who use liquor. And so through
other industries; the more i'm portant
the employment the more rigidly the
use of liquor is forbidden
If young man wants to know public
opinion in regard to moderate drinking
let him present Recommendation say
ing that he is a moderate drinker. Why
do recon mendations, intended to hell
| tn w hax -
reference to the fact that man drink
if he does drink at all? spoke a few
nights ago TO $50 midshipmen at the
Annapolis Naval Academy, and a fine
body OF young men it would be impos
sible to find. Not one of them is per
mitted to use intoxicating liquor. VIII.
is the use of liquor forbidden 10 thes
men, except on the ground that il wouI,
be hurtful to them? They are being pre-
pared, at Government expense, for Gov
eminent service, and the fact that the
are not PERMITTED 10 use alcohol shoul,
impress all young men who seek to fl
themselves for important work.
Injuries Mans Offspring
, The use of alcohol not only lowers
r mau's productive capacity but it i'm
+ parts constitutional weakness TO his off
: spring. Even if the pleasure derives
from the use of alcohol were not TO
, lowed by pain that overcomes Tn
, pleasure, even If it did not manifest il
self in the impairment of the individus
n who uses il, the fact that it's effects ar
r transmitted to the child, and thus visit a
undeserved punishment upon it, ough
to weigh nightly with the man who ha
not decided the drink question for him
self
But there is another reason why on
should not drink at all, namely the dar
u ger of drinking to excess. 1t cannot b
! trurbfully said that every moderai
: drinker becomes a drunkard, but it
y true that svery drunkard comes iron
d the numbers of those who drink modei
q ately; none comes from the ranks c
the total abstainers. | remembered /
: have heard temperance lecturer us
: an illustration when was boy: | pa:
. it to those of this generation. He al
mitted that there is a difference bt
/, tween the moderate drinker and DRUM