The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-02
COSTA RICAA NEWSPAPER
SOUNDS TIMELY WARNING
Asks Statesmen, Writer'S. Ministers OF
All Crceds, Corporations and All
Citizens to Unite to Over
throw Drink Cursc.

(Translation of article published in La
Information OF February IS, 1879
AS soon AZ the war had ended there
began in the United States a respect
able current OF public opinion tending
toward the prohibition of the con-
sumption OF alcoholic beverages In the
whole country; and a campaign was
undertaken to accomplish that object
with the tenacity which characteristics
the men Of that race, until prohibition
was decreed by the will of the major
ity OF the states In conformity with
the federal constitution. Within a
year the production OF spirituous iiq-
uors, for consum ptfen In the country.
will have been stopped in the great
nation, which Is always giving new
manifestations OF It's will to always
conquer. Because the measure tends
to this. not inspired by snobbism,
with which Americans are not ac-
quainted; to make each generation
healthier and stronger. az the basis
of national ACKNOWLEDGMENT. What Is
important for them Is that the United
States should not lose the place 1t has
gained in the universal concert. but
that. on the contrary, its course should
be in the ascendant; and to attain 1t
they are making the material force
aration Of a feet which will be the
second in the world; and they are
realizing the moral force. eliminating
alcohol. which annihilates the will and
degenerates the organism.
A few days later the republic OF
Mexico tries similar enterprise and
President Carranza lends 1t his sup
| port. In this way the tendency Is be-
| coming universal, and It will certainly
| find a propitious field for It's develop
ment in the nations that have lost the
! flower Of their youth on the fields OF
battle and need to replace 1t with a
new. vigorous generation; and the re-
naming countries Of the earth. that
do not wish to be left behind and
overcome by the reforms of every
sort, will take into consideration this
matter OF such great importance. as
fencing bout or piety, as the case may
be. whether they will not adhere
sooner or later to the platform of
temperance, relative or absolute.
! 1t behooves us also TO be thinking
about this. 1t is indubitable and a,
the same time deplorabie that good
part of the young men who are vast
| ing their time in the taverns and are
leaving in them their health. which Is
not only their patrimony. but which
that they preserve. because upon il
the future will largely depend Many
social elements do not comprehend
pleasure. IL it IL not drinking: nor do
they sit down with sufficient cheer.
fulness at social gathering il they
! have not first felt the prenicious
effects OF alcohol on their nerves; nor
/ do they go to breathe the pure air OF
our beautiful fields without carrying
in their valise the fatidical bottle that
makes them give unharmonious yells
and become demented and lose the
contemplation Of the best attractions
| OF the trip into the country.
More than once, seriously alarmed
we have been concerned with the ne
cessity OF combating with energy. and
without delay this inclination of the
population to alcoholic pleasures out
OF season. and every day we feel more
! bitterness in view of the naturalne3s
and indifference with which society
sees the danger, and has become ac-
| customed to it, to such a point that on
occasions drunk enness is not repul-
| sfve matter which tnspires protest or
pity. as the case may be. but II IA yvm-e d
with a certain sentiment OF sympathy.
which is its best encouragement not
to check itself on the downward path
OF vice.