sed by many
hundreds of millions. Hasheesh has filled countless brains with
chaotic dreams, and everywhere that civilization has gone the blood
of the grape has been used. Nothing is easier now to obtain than
liquor. In one bushel of corn there are at least five gallons--
four can easily be extracted. All starch, all sugars, can be
changed almost instantly into alcohol. Every grain that grows has
in it the intoxicating principle, and, as a matter of fact, nearly
all of the corn, wheat, sugar and starch that man eats is changed
into alcohol in his stomach. Whether man can be compelled to do
without a stimulant is a question that I am unable to answer. Of
one thing I am certain: He has never yet been compelled to do
without one. The tendency, I think, of modern times is toward a
milder stimulant than distilled liquors. Whisky and brandies are
too strong; wine and beer occupy the middle ground. Wine is a
fireside, whisky a conflagration.

It seems to me that it would be far better if the Prohibitionists
would turn their attention toward distilled spirits. If they were
willing to compromise, the probability is that they would have
public opinion on their side. If they would say: "You may have
all the beer and all the wine and cider you wish, and you can drink
them when and where you desire, but the sale of distilled spirits
shall be prohibited," it is possible that this could be carried
out in good faith in many if not in most of the States--possibly
in all. We all know the effect of wine, even when taken in excess,
is nothing near as disastrous as the effect of distilled spirits.
Why not take the middle ground? The wine drinkers of the old
country are not drunkards. They have been drinking wine for
generations. It is drunk by men, women and children. It adds to
the sociability of the family. It does not separate the husband
from the rest, it keeps them all together, and in that view is
rather a benefit than an injury. Good wine can be raised as cheaply
here as in any part of the world. In nearly every part of our
country the grape grows and good wine can be made. If our people
had a taste for wine they would lose the taste for stronger drink,
and they would be disgusted with the surroundings of the stronger
drink.

The same may be said in favor of beer. As long as the Prohibitionists
make no distinction between wine and whisky, between beer and
brandy, just so long they will be regarded by most