Social Problems And Their Peaceful Solution.

substances , the most deadly poisons even , in skilful hands will work a cure where all else fails . But , abused , these very substances would entail certain death ; are we , therefore , to forbid their use 1 By no means , for a following out to its legitimate conclusion of such a deterrent principle of

forbidding to all that which is hurtful to some , would result in putting an end to life universally . Now , that those poor creatures who are compelled , whether against their will or against their better judgmentto consume alcohol in excessive

, quantities , should be altogether debarred its use , cannot be for a moment a matter of debate ; for not only do they destroy themselves soul and body , but they bring want and desolation upon all around them , casting their belongings for subsistence

upon the earnings of their neighbours , many of whom are only just able , even by dint of hard work and self-denying sobriety , to provide for their own families . Restraining such then from their evil propensity is undoubtedly the duty of society , not only to them but to itself . We restrain men from injuring themselves by the abuse of other articles of more or less

common use as poisons ; or from doing themselves injury by the improper use of weapons or machinery , so we must prevent the same evil from happening by the abuse of alcohol . How ? is the great question which has perplexed us for years . Here , at the outset , let us distinctly

understand the nature of the obligation under which we lie to provide any such precautionary measure ; for we have seen that some such course of procedure not only would be beneficial , but is , and is rapidly becoming more , imperatively a necessity for the welfare of both society and individual members of societv .

Now it is just possible that in adopting any measure of restraint the respective interests of the body corporate and some of its individual members may come into conflict ; which interest is to be preferred ? Clearly that of an innocent nooiety against that of an individual wrongdoer . If then

there be any disagreeable consequences attendant upon the deterrent process that we have in contemplation , they must fall upon such individual offender , and not upon that society against which , as a member , he offends .

Now society requires alcohol in moderation , whilst individual members must , as an act of mercy , if for nothing else , be kept from using it . Which is to be the party under restraint ? Clearly the individual . Some men , bereft of reason , would throw

themselves beneath the railway train which is a necessity to society at large ; how would you remedy this ? Would you abolish the train ? No , but restrain the lunatic , confining him , if such a course were necessary , to prevent further attempts

of a like nature . Just so with the so-called dipsomaniac ; he must be restrained , by force if necessary , until cured of his malady , and not society deprived of its benefit , or even enjoyment , by reason of the individual ' s inability to check a propensity

which proves his ruin . This , then , is the first point gained , that inveterate drunkards must be restrained like other monomaniacs dangerous to themselves and to society at large , whilst society is left to its moderate use of

alcohol . But this will not suffice ; we do not destroy a noxious weed by stripping it of its fruit , nor shall we cure drunkenness

unless we seek out its root and eradicate it . How then and where are drunkards manufactured 1 Rarely ( almost never , unless there be some predisposing defect of mind or body , ) by partaking of alcoholic li quors in moderation at home ; frequently by their

immoderate use in company . It is the friend's " one drop more" that usuall y does the mischief . If there be felt the predisposition of body or mind just mentioned , the best remedy is the kind-hearted medical adviser ; if the poor soul wearied

with sorrow or trouble be tempted to drown its cares in the temporary oblivion of the wine-cup , then the only remedy is an unswerving trust in the Merciful Physician of souls from whom these troubles have come , and for whose sake they must

be manfully borne , and who—never let it be forgotten—will , if asked , give abundant strength to bear them . But these are not the eases with which we are now mainly concerned ; it is with those who , for some reason good , bad , or indifferent , are led or driven to neglect their homes for the public-house that we have to deal . But before considering the inducements