CHAPTER III. 



DANGER TO MORALS. 



Everywhere we find political centralization counteracting the in- 

 fluence of that social decentralization which looks to elevating the 

 condition of all the people of the state, whether male >-r female. 



— Henry C. Carey. 



In an opening chapter I made the claim in behalf of 

 the rural classes, that they, in addition to their many- 

 other valuable characteristics, were peculiarly the moral 

 safeguards of society. Especially is this so in reference 

 to the use of intoxicants. 



Regrettable though it be, we are, in some particulars, 

 becoming more susceptible to the acquirement of this 

 habit than heretofore. We have already learned that 

 nervous disorders are increasing. This is not only the 

 case in the United States, but in Canada as well. " When 

 the nervous system loses, through any cause, much of 

 its nervous force, so that it cannot stand upright with 

 ease and comfort, it leans on the nearest and most con- 

 venient artificial support that is capable of temporarily 

 propping up the enfeebled frame. Any thing which 

 gives ease, sedation, oblivion, such as chloral, chloro- 

 form, opium, or alcohol, may be resorted to, first as an 

 incident, and finally as a habit." ' 



' Dr. George M. Beard. 

 235 



