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CHEROKEE PHffiNIX
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AN ADDRESS
Delivered before the Washington City
Temperance Society, jYovcinbcr 15,
1831. By Thomas Sewall, J\J. IJ.
Professor of Anatomy and Physiology
in the Columbian Collage, District of
Columbia.
[concluded.]
4t-fe Unquestionably-true, that ma
ny oT the surrounding objects in na
ture, are constantly tending (o man’s
destruction. The excess of heat and
cold, limpidity and dryness, the vicis-
itudes of the season, noxious exhala
tions from the earth, the floating at
oms in the atmosphere, the poisonous
vapors from decomposed" animal and
vegetable matter, with many other in
visible agents, are exerting their
deadly influence; ai\d ivere it not that
every part of this system is endowed
with a self-preserving power, a prin
ciple of excitability, or, In other
words, a vital principle, the opera
tions of economy would coast, and a
dissolution of its organic structure
take place. But this principle be
ing iitifrianted in the system, reaction
takes place, and thereby a vigorous
contest is maintained with the war
ring elements without, as well as
with the principle of decay within
It is thus that man is enabled to
endure from year to year the toils and
fatigues of life, the variation of heat
and cold, and the vissitudes of the
season—that lie is enabled to traverse
every region of the globe, and to live
with almost equal ease under the e-
' quator, and in the frozen regions of
the north. It is by this power that
all his functions are performed, from
the commencement to the close of
life.
The principle of excitability ex
ists in the highest degree, in the in
fant, and diminishes at every suc
ceeding period of life; and if man is
not cut down by disease or violence,
he struggles on, and finally dies a
natural death; a death occasioned by
the exhaustion of the principle of ex
citability. In order to prevent the
too.rapid exhaustion of this principle,
nature has especially provided for its
restoration by establishing a period of
sleep. After being awake tor six
teen hours, a sensation of fatigue en
sues, und all the functions are per
formed with diminished energy and
precision. Locomotion becomes fee
ble and tottering, the voice harsh,
the intellect obtuse and powerless,
and the senses blunted. In this state
(lie individual anxiously retires from
the light and fiom the noise and bus
tle of business, seeks that position
which requires the least effort to
sustain it, and abandons lumself to
rest. The will ceases to act, and lie
loses in succession all the senses.—
The muscles unbend theinselves, and
permit the limbs to fall into the most
easy and natural position. Digestion,
respiration, circulation, secretion,
and the ether functions go on with di
minished power and activity; and con
sequently the excitability is gradually
restored. After a repose of six or
eight hours, this principle becomes
accumulated to its full measure, and
the individual awakes and finds him
self invigorated and refreshed. Ilis
muscular power is augmented, his
senses are acute and discriminating,
his intellect active and eager for la
bor, and all his functions move on
j with renewed energy. But if the
stomach be oppressed by food, or the
system excited by stimulating drinks,
sleej,), though it may be profound, is
never tranquil and refreshing. The
system being raised to a state of fe
verish excitement, and its healthy
balance disturbed, its exhausted ex-
citabibility is not restored. The in
dividual awakes, but finds himself fa
tigued rather than invigorated. Mis
muscles are relaxed, his senses ob
tuse, bis intellect impaired, and bis
(unctions disordered; and it is not un
til lie is again-under the influence of
food and stimulus, that lie is fit ior
the occupations of life. And thus he
loses the benefits of this wise provi
sion of repose, designated for his
preservation. Nothing, probably,
tend more powerfully to produce
premature old age, than midnight
revels or disturbed and unrefreslung
sleep.
It is also true, that artificial stim
ulus in whatever way applied, tend
constantly to exhaust the principle of
excitability of the system, and this in
propot tion to its intensity, and the
freedom with which it is applied
opium, or by violent and long continu
ed exertions, does not coagulate.
The principles laid d< wn arc plain,
and of easy application to the case be
fore us.
The inebriate, having by the habit
ual use of ardent spirit, exhausted to
a greater or less extent (lie principh
of excitability in the solids, Hie pow
er of reaction; and (be blood hav
ing become incapable of perft rm-
ing its office also, lie is alike predis
posed to every disease, and rendered
lablo to the inroads of every invading
foe. So far, therefore, from pro
tecting the system against disease,
intemperance ever constitutes one of
its strongest predisposing causes.
Superadded to this, whenever dis
ease does lay its grasp upoivlhe drun
kard, the powers of life, being already
enfeebled by the .stimulus of ardent
spirit, lie unexpectedly sinks in the
contest, and bu-i. too frequently to the
mortification of his physician, and the
surprise and grief of hist friends. In
deed, inebriation so Enfeebles the
powers of life, so modifies the char
acter of disease, and so changes the
operation of medical agents, that un
css the young physician has studied
thoroughly (lie constitution of the
drunkard, he has but partially learn
ed bis profession, and is not lit for a
iraetioner of the present ago.
These are the true reasons why
the drunkard dies so easily, and from
such slight causes.
A sudden cold, pleurisy, fever, a
fractured limb, or a slight w»und of
the skin, is more than his shattered
powers can endure. Even a little
xeess of exertion, an exposure to
heat or cold, a hearty repast, or a
glass of cold water, not uiifreqnenlly
extinguishes the small remains of the
vital principle.
In the season (hat has just closed
upon us, we have had a melancholy
exhibition of the effect of intemper
ance in 1 lie tragical death of some
dozens of our fellow citizens; and had
the extreme heat which prevailed
for several days, continued for as ma
ny weeks, we should hardly have had
a confirmed drunkard left among
us!
But there is still another principle
on which the use of ardent spirit pre
disposes the drunkard to disease and
death. It acts on the blood, impair!
its vitality, deprives it of its red col
our, and thereby renders it unlit to
stimulate the heart and other organs
through which it circulates; unfit
also, to supply materials for the dif
ferent secretions,&to renovate the dif
ferent tissues of the body, as Well as
to sustain the energy of the brain; of
fices which it can perfoi m only, while
it retains its Vermillion colour and
other arterial properties. The blood
of the drunkard is several shades
darker in its colour, than that of tem
perate persons, and also coagulates
less readily and firmly, and is loaded
with serum; appearances which in
dicate that it has exchanged its ar
terial properties for those of the
venous blood. This is the cause of
the livid complexion of the inebriate,
which so strongly marks him in the
advanced stage of intemperance.—
Hence, too, all the functions of his
body are sluggish, irregular, and the
whole system loses its tone and its
energy. If ardent spirit, when taken
into the system, exhausts the vital
Many of those deaths which came
under my notice seemed almost spon
taneous, and some of them took place
in less than one hour from the first
symptoms of indisposition. Some
died apparently from a slight excess
of fatigue, some from a few hours’ ex
posure to ihc sun, and some from a
small draught of cold water; .causes
quite inadequate to the production of
such effects in temperate persons.
Thus, fellow citizens, I have en
deavoured to delineate the effects of
ardent spirit upon man, and more, es
pecially to portray its influence on his
moral, intellectual, and physical pow
ers. The sketch I, have given is a
brief one, but the occasion would not
permit me to say more,* and my feel
ings would not have allowed me to
have said less.
But wc are not assembled to brood
over the evils of intemperance, and
to spend our time in mourning the
ravages it has made in our land, to
weep over the broken-hearted fathers
and mothers—the deserted wives and
children—the suffering widows and
orphans ii has created. Wc are as
sembled not merely to paint its hor
rors, and to deplore its desolations;
wc arc convened to take counsel to
gether, to learn the success of tlii
society during the past year; the pro
gress the cause of temperance is ma
king thro’ the land, & to devise meas
ures to promote its advancement; and
not to devise only—we are called
upon to cxocute as well as design.
There is a work to he performed,
must be done, before the evils we
deplore will be eradicated.
1. Let us keep ia view the objects
of this Society:—•'■To produce united
vigorous, and systematic exertions for
suppression of intemperance, to diffuse
information, and give circulation to
publications which exhibit llic evils
of intemperance, and the best means of
checking its progress
Let us bear in mind, also, the ob
ligation .imposed on us—“ To use all
proper measure to discourage the use of
ardent spirit in the social circle, at pub
lic meetings, on the farm, in the me
chanic shop, and in all oilier places.’'
These are the objects of the Socie
ty, and iIns (lie obligation resting up
on its members. it is not a mere
matter of formality that we have put
our names to its constitution; we have
pledged ourselves lobe bold, active,
and persevering in the cause; to pro
claim the dangers of intemperance
to our fellow-citizens, and to do what
we can to arrest the progress. In
view of these objects and of this
pledge, then, let us, if indeed we
have not already done it, banish ar
dent spirit from our houses at once,
and forever, and then we can act
with decision and energy, and speak
in a tone of authority; and our voice
will he heard, if precept be sanction-j zens;
ed by example. j
2. Lei us use our utmost endeav- ■
ors to lessen the number, and ifpos-j
sible utterly exterminate from among i
us those establishments which are j
the chief agents in propogaling the ’
evils of intemperance. 1 refer (o !
those shops which are licensed for
retailing ardent spirits. Here is the !
source of the evil. These arc. the
agents (hat are sowing among us the
seeds of vice, aud # poverty, and
wretchedness.
IIow preposterous an enlightened
community, professing the highest
regard for morality and religion,
making laws for the suppression and
punishment of vice, and the promo
tion of virtue and good order, institu
ting societies to encourage industry,
enlighten the ignorant, reclaim the
vicious, bring back the wanderer,
protect 1 he orplnn, feed the hungry,
clothe tlie naked, bind up the •broken
hearted, and.restore domestic peace;
at the same lime to create and foster
was o/ten a sudden and easy ono, ours
produces a death that lingers; and not
content with tin; lives ol our fellow
citizens, it lilies their pockets It
revels in rapine and rubbery; it sacks
whole towns and villager,; it lays waste
fields and vineyards; it riots on domes
tic peace, and virtue, and happiness;
it sets at variance tho husband and
the wile; it causes the parent to for
sake tlie child, and the child to curse
the parent; it tears ■•sunder the-strong
est bonds of society; it severs the len-
dcresl lies of nature.
And who is the author o( all this—
and where lies this responsibility?
I appeal to my fellow citizens.
Are not we the authors? Does not
the responsibility rest upon us? Is it
not so?
The power emanates from us; we'
delegate it to the constituted author
ities; and wc say to (hem, go on.“cast
fire-brands, arrows, and death;” and
let the blood ol those that perish ‘be
on us and our childi eu.” W ( - put the
tomahawk and scalping-knife into (he;
hands of our neighbors., and award to
them a bounty. — We do more-wd
share, (lie plunder. For the paltrv
sum of tweiuy dollars, we consent
that a floodgate of v ice, and povcitv,
and death; be opened upon our citi-
nud by the multiplication of
these through our city, we receive
into our treasmy (lie annual sum of a-
bout six thousand dollars One half
ol this to he expended in the support
of the paupers, it creates, the other
half in improving our streets, and in'
ornamenting our public squares! Let
us arouse, my fellow citizens, front
our insensibility, and redeem our char
acter for eonsistawy, humanity,- and
benevolence.
3. Let us not confine our views,
or limit our operations to the narrow
boundaries of our own City or Dis
trict. Intemperance is a comnioir
enemy. It exists every where, and
every where is pursuing its victims
to destruction; while llicicfore we
arc actively engaged upon the subject
in Washington, let us endeavor to do
sonic thing elsewhere; and much may
lie done by spreading throughout our
country correct information on the
subject of intemperance To this
end, every newspaper and every press
should.be put in requisition. Crrcu-
thoso very means that carry idleness | late through the various avenues,
and, ignorance, anil vice and na-
nakedness, and starvation and discord
into all ranks of society; that make
widows and orphans, that sow the
seeds of disease and death among us;
that strike, indeed, at the foundation
of all that is good and great.
You create paupers, and lodge
them in your almhouse; orphans, and
give them a residence in your asylum;
convicts, and send them to the peni
tentiary. Yon seduce men to crime,
and then £ rraign them at the bar of
justice—immure them in prison.
With one hand you thrust the dagger
to the heart—with the other attempt
to assuage the pain it causes.
We all remember to have heard
from the lips of our parents, the nar
ration of the fact, that in the early
history of our country, the tomahawk
and the scalping knife were put into
the hands of our savage neighbors,
by pur enemies at war, and that a
bounty was awarded for the depre
dations they committed on the lives of
i,iur defenceless fellow citizens. Our
feelings were shocked at the recital,
and a prejudice was created, as well
suitable tracts, essays, arid other dr.
uments, setting forth the causes of
intemperance, its evils, and its reme
dy; together with an account of the
cheering progress now making to er
adicate it.
Do this, and you will find thousands
starting up in different parts of the
country to lend their influence, and
give their money in support of your
cause, individuals who have hitherto
been unconscious of the extent am?
magnitude of the evil of intemper
ance; you will find some who have
been slumbering upon the very precip
ice of ruin, rallying round your stand
ard. Indeed, we have all been in
sensible, (ill the voice of alarm was
sounded, and the facts were set in ar
ray before us.
J. Appeal to the medical profession
of the country, and ask them to cor
rect (lie false idea w hich so extensive
ly, I may say almost universally pre
vails, viz: That ardent spirit is
sometimes necessary in the treatment
of disease. This opinion has slain its
thousands and its lens of thousands,
and multitudes of dram drinkers dni-
to these poor wandering savages, as ly shelter themselves under its de-
tlio nation that prompted them to the j lusive mask. One takes n little to
principle of the solids, it destroys , and we are pledged not to draw back
..iiii i-,r!n»«inl« nf ilin lilnml nlsn? from its hardships, nor shrink from
the vital principle of the blood also;
and if taken in large quantities, pro
duces sudden death; in which case
uio blood, in death by lightning, by
its responsibilities; and what can be
done'? Permit me to suggest a few
tilings which may bo done, and which
work,which neither time nor education
has eradicated. Yet, as merciless &
savage as this practice may appear to
us, it was Christian, it was humane,
compared with ours; theirs sought
only the life-blood, and that only of
their enemies; ours seeks the blood of
souls, and that of; our own citizens!
and friends and neighbors. Tlicir
avarice was satiated with a few inches
of the scalp, and the death inflicted I
raise his desponding spirit, or to drown
his sorrow; another, to sharpen his
appetite or relieve his dyspepsy; one
to ease his gouty pains, another to
supple his stiffened limbs, or calm his.
quivering muscles. Ono drinks to
overcome the heat, another to ward
off the cold; and all this as a med
icine. Appeal, then, to the medical
profession, and they will tell you, eve-