WHAT "THE THUNDERER" SAYS.
By Editor
Nearly always an anti-temperance sheet has been the great, conservative London Times, yclept "the Thunderer." But now, in view of recent discussion, it feels called upon to speak on the question. According to a London despatch of October 1, it says: According to recent developments of scientific opinion, it is not impossible that a belief in the strengthening and supporting qualities of alcohol will eventually become as obsolete as a belief in witchcraft. . . . The whole question really turns upon the consciousness that alcoholic drinks satisfy some kind of temporary want, or produce some temporary comfort or exhilaration, coupled with a belief, which modern physiology is doing her best to dispel, that they are at least essentially harmless when consumed in moderation. It may be stated as an opinion upon which most, if not all, physiologists are agreed, that alcohol contributes nothing to the permanent powers of the healthy organism, whether physical or intellectual. No man, it is said, is the stronger for taking it, and no man is the wiser. The experience, now very extensive, of insurance offices seems to place it beyond doubt that even the moderate regular use of alcohol, in any form, is, on the whole, contributory to the shortening of life. When these views come to be fairly balanced against temporary gratifications of the palate, or temporary stimulation of the brain, they will be likely to lead, not to a single "wave" of sobriety, but to a gradual change in the habits of the more intelligent portion of mankind. These words are wise words. May they be heeded.