Milford chronicle., 1922-02-10
The EFFECTS OF RUM UPON A NATION
Csy William /. simpson,

The definition of drunkenness accord
ing to Webster is, Zone intoxicated; ov,
empowered by spirituous liquors; stupi
fled; or brain inflamed; reason dethron.
ed; mad" The Bible is to all men
chart, compass and guide: All its pre-.
cepts, teachings and commandments are
given by inspiration for the guidance Of
all mankind to keep them in a straight
course, enabling them to steer clear o.
hidden rocks and treacherous shoals. Ev-
erythng therein is clearly laid down, sc
that by following the chart, like the ma
riner on dangerous seas. we will bring
our frail barks at last safely into port.
! Nothing is omitted in the Bible that is
good for man; its teachings are so clear
ly defined that "The Wayfaring man,
though a fool may not err therein" 1t is
therefore not to be overlooked nor set
aside, but to he followed as an infallible
law for our guidance. What does it say
concerning the drunkard? Not one good
word-only condemnation.
Drunkenness is classed as one of the
worst of sins The drunkard is classed in
the Bible with the liars, murderers adul-
terers, concerning whom it is said, mo
drunkard shall enter the Kingdom Of
Cod"
Solomon. the wisest man that ever liv-
ed, said: wine is a mocker, strong
drink is raging and whosoever is deceiv-
ed thereby is not wise" Again, '"The
drunkard and the glutton shall come to
poverty" The greatest prophets and
statesmen of the world, have ever lifted
their voices against this evil. A genera
tion before the downfall of the Jewish
nation, Isaiah, the prophet, charged them
with the sin of drunkenness. 'They err
through wine-they are out of the way
through strong drink; they err in vision
they stumble in judgment" Thus weak
ened in manhood, overpowered by the
Babylonians, they were carried into cap
tivity 25OO years ago.
1 was in France and Germany just be-
fore the Great War. These nations were
drinking hard. Likewise was Russia. All
Europe was intoxicated. 1t could be seen
that these nations were out of the way
through drink In the words of Webster
Reason disordered and thereby rendered
furious" Like the Jews, their calamity
and downfall came. Penniless and dis
graced they will not recover for many
generations.
Great men like Gladstone and Lincoln,
denounced the drink curse. Mr.. Lincoln,
just after the close of the Civil War, said
"Our next fight will be, fight against
rum, for it is eating out the vitals OF this
nation like a cancer" That fight has
been made and the traffic has been over
thrown. But the victory will not be COM
plete until every citizen shall become
law-abiding and stand for the full en-
forcement of the Eighteenth Amendment
to the Constitution. Eternal vigilence is
the price of liberty"
The hydraheaded forces of lawlessness
are getting into the saddle, without prin-
ciple or patriotism, actuated by selfish
ness. greed and love of money. Small
politicians, self seeking, beot-leggers and
degenerates on one side, setting them
selves against the Constitution of the
United States by operating home stills
disgracing their country and debauching
the. youth Of our land. On the other hand
we have good people, patriotic, God-fear-
ing who are the bone and sinue of our
land without whom the foundations Of
our National life would be destroyed
Good citizens, what are we to do?"
There is but one course; cry aloud, spare
not until this rum demon is completely
destroyed.
I saw in the gallery of arts in Europe,
great paintings of the Conquerors
mounted on their spirited horses, dress
ed in their coats of mail. Hannibal Alex
andria, the Caesars, Napoleon and others
At their feet and as far as the eye could
see, the slain thousands and millions lie
silent dead In my imagination 1 could
see another Conqueror-the RUM demon
and at his feet the MILLIONS, slain
which no man could number from age to
age. He has killed more of the race
than all the swords of all other con-
querors in history, caused more misery
and sorrow, enslaved more women and
children, filled more prisons and asylums
than all other causes put together. The
cost of policing and prosecuting drunken
criminals is a tax on the law-abiding
citizens, which run into untold millions.
Millions of dollars are lost annually to
employers, because of inefficiency and
loss of time on the part of those who fol-
low the drink habit. Statistics show that
so per cent of the people suffer from in
eating and drinking, and to
all whose stomachs are so impaired, any
alcoholic drink is poison, which hastens
on to disease and death. Those who
make wines, beers and liquors, make and
sell at once before it has time to ripen,
using dope and drugs having narcotic
effect, which is deadly to the system and
producing insanity and premature
death.
A short time back the two Passwaters
boys were poisoied by this kind of whis-
key. One died, the other was saved only
by the quick use of a stomach pump.
This is the condition that prevails thru
the country at the present time.
Can this lawlessness be stopped? Yes!
Let every decent citizen get back of the
law, by getting back of the men who are
authorized to enforce the law. Let every
man who loves his country his flag, his
home, his native land. his fellowman,
stand together United we stand-dvided !
we fall.