Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Editorial
August 15, 1821
The Massachusetts Spy
Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
Editorial highlights horrors of intemperance with a fatal English incident of a drunk man suffocating a child, notes rising US deaths from it due to cheap spirits, calls for reducing dram-shops, higher liquor prices via taxes and licensing to protect public morals.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
INTEMPERANCE
On looking over our files of English papers, the following instance of the horrible effects of the beastly practice of intoxication presents itself :—
"A very distressing event took place at the house of Mr. J. Christopher, Inn-keeper, in Eccleston, near Leland. A man in a state of beastly drunkenness, went into a room adjoining the one in which he had been drinking, and sat himself down upon a cradle in which a child was sleeping. The mother, that it might not be disturbed by the noise and confusion of the company who frequented the tavern, had removed it into the retired apartment. The anxiety she felt on seeing the cradle occupied by a drunken man may therefore easily be conceived—but the shock was inexpressibly increased, when, on removing the stupified brute, she found that the poor innocent had breathed its last, having died through suffocation."
Although we have not heard of any occurrence so shocking as this in our country, yet scarcely a week passes without a coroner's verdict being returned of one, sometimes two persons, dying of intemperance. This vicious propensity seems, indeed, to be gaining ground every day, notwithstanding the many fatal consequences which arise from its indulgence. Nor can this be a matter of surprise when it is considered, that spirituous liquors are now selling in some of the grog-shops of this city at a price little higher than the price of milk. So long, therefore, as it can be got at this easy rate, and with so much facility, it is in vain to denounce the use of liquor, or to expect a diminution of the many accidents, and the innumerable crimes, consequent on its abuse. The evil must be attacked at its roots; the numbers of dram-shops must be reduced; and all kinds of liquors must be increased in price, before any effectual check can be given to intemperance. It is in the power of the police to withhold licenses from liquor stores. The general government might, by a tax on foreign and domestick spirits, lessen their consumption. We believe a measure of this nature would be generally acceptable. Considering that it would greatly increase the revenue, we trust that a project so essential to the preservation of publick morals, will not be lost sight of.
[N. Y. N. Adv.
On looking over our files of English papers, the following instance of the horrible effects of the beastly practice of intoxication presents itself :—
"A very distressing event took place at the house of Mr. J. Christopher, Inn-keeper, in Eccleston, near Leland. A man in a state of beastly drunkenness, went into a room adjoining the one in which he had been drinking, and sat himself down upon a cradle in which a child was sleeping. The mother, that it might not be disturbed by the noise and confusion of the company who frequented the tavern, had removed it into the retired apartment. The anxiety she felt on seeing the cradle occupied by a drunken man may therefore easily be conceived—but the shock was inexpressibly increased, when, on removing the stupified brute, she found that the poor innocent had breathed its last, having died through suffocation."
Although we have not heard of any occurrence so shocking as this in our country, yet scarcely a week passes without a coroner's verdict being returned of one, sometimes two persons, dying of intemperance. This vicious propensity seems, indeed, to be gaining ground every day, notwithstanding the many fatal consequences which arise from its indulgence. Nor can this be a matter of surprise when it is considered, that spirituous liquors are now selling in some of the grog-shops of this city at a price little higher than the price of milk. So long, therefore, as it can be got at this easy rate, and with so much facility, it is in vain to denounce the use of liquor, or to expect a diminution of the many accidents, and the innumerable crimes, consequent on its abuse. The evil must be attacked at its roots; the numbers of dram-shops must be reduced; and all kinds of liquors must be increased in price, before any effectual check can be given to intemperance. It is in the power of the police to withhold licenses from liquor stores. The general government might, by a tax on foreign and domestick spirits, lessen their consumption. We believe a measure of this nature would be generally acceptable. Considering that it would greatly increase the revenue, we trust that a project so essential to the preservation of publick morals, will not be lost sight of.
[N. Y. N. Adv.
What sub-type of article is it?
Temperance
Social Reform
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Intemperance
Drunkenness
Dram Shops
Liquor Taxes
Public Morals
Temperance Movement
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. J. Christopher
Police
General Government
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Dangers Of Intemperance And Need For Regulatory Measures
Stance / Tone
Strong Condemnation Of Drunkenness With Advocacy For Stricter Controls
Key Figures
Mr. J. Christopher
Police
General Government
Key Arguments
Drunkenness Causes Fatal Accidents Like Suffocation Of A Child
Intemperance Deaths Are Weekly Occurrences In The Us
Cheap Spirits In Grog Shops Fuel The Vice
Reducing Dram Shops And Raising Liquor Prices Via Taxes Needed
Such Measures Would Protect Public Morals And Increase Revenue