their motto in life "I can't," and they go through life content to do nothing whatever to benefit mankind, because of that insuperable obstacle "I can't," which forever stares them in the face. A better motto is, "I'll try," and if it can not be accomplished in one way, it may be in some other. To find out the best way to accomplish the purpose is the duty of every one who desires to be useful in his day, and when he discovers the true plan he should bend his energies to put it into successful operation. CHAPTER IV. REMEDIES FOR THE EVIL INDEPENDENT OF LEG ISLATION. EXAMPLE EARLY TRAINING-PARENTAL INFLUENCE-GOOD In the preceding chapters I have attempted to discuss first, the erroneous methods so commonly adopted and pursued by the advocates of prohibition in the suppression and prevention of drunkenness; second, some of the causes which operate to bring about and encourage the intemperate use of intoxicants; and, third, a few of the pernicious effects of intemperance upon the physical, intellectual and moral constitution of man, with a bare suggestion of some of its terrible consequences to the social interests of mankind in general. In that discussion I have not attempted to exhaust the subject. I hope, however, that enough has been said upon those branches of the great subject under consideration to form a sufficient basis for the proper understanding and appreciation of the practicability of the methods to be proposed in this and the future chapters of this work, for the suppression of drunkenness, the monster evil of the age. The complete suppression of this great evil can perhaps never be accomplished. Many generations will pass away before total prohibition can be effected by every possible agency that could be put in operation by the people, either in their legislative or individual capacities. Those who expect to see so great a moral and social revolution in their day are certainly doomed to disappointment. Nothing, save the intervention of divine power, wisdom and goodness in the regeneration of a besotted race, can accomplish such a revolution in a century, if in all time to come. What other agency can reclaim the fallen and lost manhood of the confirmed drunkard who was ushered into this "breathing world" with a natural thirst for strong drink inherited from his ancestors, and whose whole life has been given to the indulgence of the all but insatiable desire for whisky? That such men are going to have their daily and even hourly portion of the vile stuff may be put down as a certainty, that is, if its manufacture for any purpose whatever is permitted. The absolute and complete prohibition of the manufacture of intoxicating liquors need not be expected; it matters not how stringent the laws may be for its prevention or suppression, and when it is made, the topers are going to get it in some way, and they will not be long about devising the ways and means of procuring it. The first question, then, is, what should be done with this truly unfortunate and pitiable class of our people, whose name to-day is legion? They are rather deserving of sympathy than of censure, and since they are beyond all hope of redemption-beyond the reach of all human effort to reclaim them from their awful condition and avert the terrible destiny which most certainly awaits them-ought we not to do what we can to relieve their necessities, to provide for their protection, and in every way possible endeavor to comfort them in their misery and despair? Why does the State build and maintain at vast expense asylums for the care and treatment of almost all other classes of unfortunates, while no special provision is made for the confirmed and hopeless inebriate, who wallows insensible and oblivious in the mud and filth of the streets and alleys? It would seem, too, that, although no cure could be hoped for in such cases, their removal from their customary haunts and the influence of their demoralizing examples would doubtless have salutary effect upon society at large. But, be this as it may, no method for their redemption will be proposed by the writer, and I desire it understood that whatever plans may be proposed and discussed in this work shall have no reference to the confirmed and constitutional drunkard. Neither local, State, nor national prohibition, high license, or free whisky can operate, as even a temporary check upon his downward career to a drunkard's grave, and perhaps to a drunkard's hell, the contemplation of which has not the slightest effect upon his appetite or his actions. It was said of old by one who ranks in history as the wisest of mankind in all ages of the world, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." To this rule, as well as to all others of a general character applicable to human conduct, there are, of course, exceptions. There are some incorrigible individuals who are so prone to do wrong, whose vicious passions and proclivities so far predominate over their moral resolution, that no training, however strict and conducive to the development of the higher moral sensibilities, is practically of any avail. But while this is true, it is, I think, safe to assume that the great majority of young persons are susceptible of the good influences of correct moral training. Alas, how great the number of our race who have grown up to manhood without such training, but whose lives and characters have been molded and fashioned by chance, and that, too, after the most vicious and depraved models of society! How many have been permitted to grow up in utter and profound ignorance of their own capacities and of their own immortal destinies. How many have grown up in the unrestrained indulnce of every beastly appetite and propensity, while the mind and soul have sunk down to a level with the beasts of the field. How great the number whose intellectual faculties have been cultivated to their utmost tension, while the moral powers have smouldered amid the rubbish of vicious actions and ungodly purposes. The first question which arises, is, who is to begin this work of reformation? Is it to be the legislator, in an effort to enact and promulgate rigid laws for the punisment of those poor fallen victims to evil training, evil influences, and evil associations? He has his duty to perform, which will be discussed in due time, but he is by no means the only one who should bear the responsibility of the work to be done. Napoleon once said that the one great need of France was mothers. The great men of all ages have conceded to the mothers of the land an influence in the promotion of a nation's welfare and prosperity above all others. It would take too long to attempt to enumerate the great characters in modern and ancient history which were the handiwork of a mother's influence and devotion. From her the tender mind of the helpless infant receives its first impressions. The first touch in the formation of its character is by her loving hand. Its first sensibilities are awakened by the beams of her countenance as she keeps faithful watch over every motion of its tender features. By her are planted in childhood the first principles from which in after life are to spring so many of the noble or ignoble actions which are to mark the distinguishing features of character and determine the extent of its usefulness and respectability. I shall not further attempt to speak of the mother's influence. It is beyond my comprehension, beyond the power of my language to define or to attempt to describe. I only refer to it briefly for the purpose of impressing upon the mothers of our country the importance of the duties which God and nature have committed to them, and to arouse them to the necessity of training their children with a view of making of them examples of sobriety and |