If the manhood is withdrawn and she is
thrown upon her own resources, there is disaster; if the manhood be
damaged or degenerate, so much the worse for the woman; if the manhood
be of the best, there and only there are the best conditions provided
for the highest womanhood.
First, then, let us observe how alcohol injures women by its
contribution to the male death-rate. Allusion has already been made to a
simple statistical enquiry which I made a few years ago in regard to the
influence of alcohol as a maker of widows and orphans. The results of
that enquiry may here be quoted, having only appeared in the daily press
hitherto. They will suffice to show that alcohol on this ground alone is
a great enemy of women, and especially of wives. The following is the
conclusion published in several papers in England in November, 1908:--
"Some time ago we heard a good deal, both in and out of Parliament,
about the debenture widow whose little all is invested in brewery
securities. There is, on the other hand, the widow so made by
alcohol. I am not aware that anyone has attempted to estimate the
approximate number of each of these two classes. The following is
merely a rude approximation.
It has been stated that there are half a million persons who have
invested money in the licensed trade. Let us allow that half of
these are men.
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