The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-02-25
|NTEM?ERANCE AND
ITS MANY SACRIFICES
INEBRlETY A GREAT BAR TO THE GOAL
OF SUCCESSFUL PROGRESS
The Injurious Developments of Inebriety And
Its Consequent Effect Upon the Will,
Morals, and Sacrifices Of an Abnormal
Appetite On the Altar of Degradation.
By j. L. w.

as much so much as how electricity
comes from the union medals with
an acid.
The earliest teaching of the tenn
perance reform was that intoxicat-
ing liquors are dangerous articles;
that multitudes of persons are so
susceptible to the narcotic influence
of alcohol that, whatever their ac-
complishments or stations, if they
drink at all they drink to drunken
ness; and that the confirmed inebri.
ate is diseased individual under
going the tortures of a living death.
The temperance enthusiast of lat
ter days denies that inebriety is a
disease; insists that the fault always
lies with the drunkard, never with
the drink; and that not only evil
disposed persons and fools fall vic
tins to the alcoholic excess, but
there are many others who swell the
great army of the Incorporate; the
most guileless spirits, the purest-
minds, the most unselfish souls, the
loftiest understandings, and the
clear heads have gone down before
the irresistible power of drink.
There are great many who try to
overcome the craving desire for
drink. and will swear by all that
is good and holy. never to touch
liquor again. But their fevered
brain aroused at the least excitement,
they decide that there is moth
ing that will steady their nerves but
drink.
Net a word Of warning to the par
ents who tenderly nourished him all
through the perilous days of his
childhood and Eelplessness; who Law
ished care and affection on him all
along the years, who built the found
est tenderest hopes on him! Not a
pretence of consultation in the poor
name of respect. Not shadow of
thought of home or mother, only
the same old story as he closed the
door. Il will not be late; | will be
home soon."
He soon meets his companions
and they go to the bar, have their
drinks and stand there until closing
time forces him out. Then we ask,
why do men become drunkards?
Men become drunkards through
drinking, it is true; and under these
conditions alcohol is sought for its
stimulating effect. 1t is the spur by
which the tired heart and the wea-
ried brain are goaded on in the
treadmill of routine and daily toll.
This has caused the drink habit to
have made him a slave to alcohol.
1t seems that most all drunkards be-
come intoxicated through pure will
fulness, and all other beliefs Incl
dent to minds trained in one direc-
ton to make himself drunkard; to
continue being a drunkard for the
love of it, and refuse to be other
than a drunkard; and when under
the influence of liquor, be dashes a.
bout like ship at sea without rud-
der, fairly we'll if the winds are
fair and the sea calm, but dependent
upon the elements for the character
and line of inevitable final wreck.
We meet people who will ask that
insistent question: what is an ine-
briate?" one who has sacrificed the
love of his home and family for
greater love of drink. And they also
drink because of the brief enjoy
ment they get while it is killing
them rather than exercise the self
control necessary to become tenn
perate man. While we are young
very young we do what we want
just because we want to, but no
sooner do we reach the years of So
called discretion than we learn to
label our selfish acts with wild va
riety of high sounding motives
which, we insist, shall do duly as
their true names; and while we are
very young we show our savage
nature.
What mother has not been almost
appalled, as she has seen the face of
her still-infant child infamed with
rage and the passionate desire of
revenge? The chubby hands are
not always raised to caress; but too
often to strike, as mind and heart
develop darker and meaner traits
unfold with very natural grace.
There is a canker worm in the bud.