The science temperance text-book : in relation to morals, chemistry, physiology, criticism, and history / [Frederic Richard Lees].

  • Frederic Richard Lees
Date:
1884-
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The science temperance text-book : in relation to morals, chemistry, physiology, criticism, and history / [Frederic Richard Lees]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Spirituous Liquors, collected by Anthony Benezet,’ which gave the opinions of Dr George Cheyne, and other English physicians. After detailing the evils of “ these infernal spirits,” he asks—“ How much, then, is it the bounden duty of those who have it in their power to withhold this destructive Man-bane, either as parents, masters, or rulers of the people committed to their trust? ” As the mantle of good illiterate Benjamin Lay fell on pious Anthony Benezet, so, in turn, his mantle descended upon that good physician and patriot, Benjamin Rush, who has been rightly called 1 The Morning Star ’ of the Temper¬ ance Reformation. Watson puts the case thus, in reply to ‘ the deleterious reasoning with which self-interest endeavours to defend itself.’ “ If all the effects that had arisen from the use of a single hogshead ot spirits could be brought to pass in review, the spectacle would be sufficient to settle the point of right or wrong ” (p. 29). “ The most powerful obstacle to the progress of this good work [of reform] is the contiguity of a certain description of stores and taverns, called dram-shops. The quantity of liquor drunk by those who have a propensity for it, will always bear some proportion to the facility op getting it. This fact is sufficiently proved by daily experience.” Shortly before the declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776), the evil of distillation attracted the notice of the patriots. At their first Congress in Philadelphia, February 27, 1777, the following resolution appears to have passed unanimously :—- “Resolved, that it be recommended to the several legislatures in the United States, immediately to pass laws the most effectual for putting an immediate stop to the pernicious practice of distilling grain, by which the most extensive evils are likely to be derived, if not quickly pre¬ vented.” Dr Benj. Franklin, Dr Rush, and other signers of the Declaration of Independence, were members of this congress. In March, 1788, an act passed the Legislature of New York
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