2o8 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



My friend on the left has alluded to the cider drinking experience of 

 a part of our people as evidence favorable to the wine theoiy of reform ; 

 but it seems to me that this is a very unfortunate evidence for that side. 

 It is true we have had several generations of cider drinkers in this coun- 

 try, but I believe it is true that cider drinking never restrained men 

 from the use of distilled spirits, but always excited an appetite therefor; 

 and more than this, it has in itself caused an immeasurable amount of 

 intoxication. I was myself raised among the green hills of New Eng- 

 land, and I know whereof I speak; and I know that it was the common 

 remark in my neighborhood, that cider diamkenness was the most degrad- 

 ing and beastly of all forms of inebriety. But I know that cider is not 

 wine; it differs from it essentially in its chemical constitution, and doubt- 

 less also in its constitutional effects. I only allude to cider here, because 

 our friend* unluckily used it as an argument for wine. 



But what we want in considering the question of the probable influ- 

 ence of wine drinking on the American character, is to know what that 

 influence has been on the character of other nations. In some of the 

 States of Europe, wine has been the common beverage of every day, of 

 all classes of the people, for hundreds of years. We want reliable evi- 

 dence of the geheral results. How does the temperament, the moral 

 character, the civilization of these peoples differ from the same character- 

 istics of those communities which have drunk little wine ? We have 

 some testimony on this point, but much of it is conflicting. I shall be 

 glad if our discussion to-night shall lead to a more thorough, impartial, 

 and exhaustive investigation of this subject; that we may be more wisely 

 guided in our course regarding this most important subject. I am not 

 willing that this Society shall act decisively at this time on the resolution 

 of my friend Daggy, and I move the reference of the whole subject to a 

 committee of five. 



Mr. Shaw moved to lay the whole subject on the table. 

 Lost. 



The question on Mr. Earle's motion was taken by a standing vote, 

 and largely prevailed. 



Prof. Burrill moved that the report of the Committee shall be 

 confined to facts, not opinions. 

 The motion was lost. 



Mr. Galusha moved that this Committee be instructed to report at 

 the next annual meeting. He said that the importance of this subject, 

 both in respect to] its immediate results and its far-reaching and wide- 

 spreading influences, demands that we shall not act rashly or unadvisedly 

 upon it. 



The time for closing the present session was near at hand, and it was 

 impossible that a committee could, in the short time left them, calmly and 

 thoroughly look over the vast field to which this resolution will 

 introduce them, so as to point out the best practical course for this Society 

 to pursue. He knew the President would select five men in whose good 



♦NoTfi. — The speaker referred to, wai not distinctly heard by the Secretary. 



