Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1815-01-30
MONITORIAL.


~ aSudthcL ~ our HIST assay, tnat the 1
publick mind was scarcely awake to the ex.
tent and invrteracy Of the evil, which arises
fromshc violation Of tho laws, that relate 10
the vending Of spiriIuous liquors and the
observance OF the Sabbnh Every mail,
however brings the pleasing intelligence Of
al increasing attention to this important
subject. Societies are rapidly forming and
progressing for the suppression Of vice, a.
mong which the vices of intoxication and
Sabbath breaking hold conspicuous place
yet il must be conceded, that the extent OF
these societies, compared with their objects,
is very small We also expressed an opin-
ion, that there is yet virtue enough in the
people to correct these mischicfs and we
still believe, that j. is only necessary to ex-
pose the magnitude and deforlnity OF the
evil, and point out the remedy, TO secure
prompt and effectual reformation. The
possibility Of affo. ding any infornaion, Of
DRAWN, more attention to the subject, Of
rousing the negligent, of lettering orposi-
ton, and Of encouraging the active, has
induced the writer to continue his ex.r.ions.
Able ms have been employed in the work );
hut they have not exhausted the subject:
And as they have generally published in the
form of pamphlet, great proportion OF
those who read news pa pcrs, are unaqnaint.
ed with their publications The extensive
circulation of this paper in the District OF
Maine affords an opportunity Of addressing
many, who perhaps have neither read nor
thought much of the subject | shall first
attempt partial enumeration of the evils
both pnblick and private, that result from
the unnecessary and excessive use OF ardent
spirits. Blu, start back from the trighsful
catalogue for who has the resolution and
fir nness to look undiuntea upon the mise
ries--the demons they bring upon the
earth Where shall begin Shall tell
you OF large estates ruined; Of individuals
reduced from independence to poverty
Shall call you to witness camiiies and
broils between families, lawsuits and mutn.
al injuries Look at yonaer half clad
children, CRYING for bread and shisering
with the inclemencies of the season. Go
with nj. tothe Workhouse, the Hospital,
and the Prison and behold tae victims OF
int n oerance, and see few Of the diseases,
of both 0oIy and mind, that follow in is
train. Shall Ipon. yol to the youth, once
the hope of his family, the delight of his
parents bat now staggering home a. mid
nighlto pierce them through with many
sorrows - Shall show you children IN
dutifu! fathers who are monsters, aud
mothers that have forgotten the babes OF
their boso N Shall tell you Of the pro
fanalion OF The Sabbath, open avowa!s OF
Atheism, contempt of magistrates; and
close the black list with theft, blasphemy,
robbery, and murder
These are but few OF the trophies OF
drunkenness Ifyou are MT shocked with
The enumeration; ifyou % not recoil at the
frightful group let me lie I'd you to yonder
house. surrounded with the vestiges Of for
mer affluenco And after we have passed
BY the Sheriff and doctor, who are driving
the cattle from the barn, or carrying away
the last implements Of husband,y that are
worth saving; let us enter this dwellings,
woe. This, my friend, is the only room left
to the family. See these children, hovering
oycra few Goals, alternately crying for
bread and casting an astonished look towards
yonder corner Of the room Behold the
father stretched uoon t,at couch, blolted
with feverish blood, and tossed with racking
pains-the mother, the wife of his youth
hanging over him. No tears give vent to
the anguish of he; bosom she has long
since ceased 20 weep Mo,ionless with one
hand--Lo admghter in the opposite COG
ner-tears bursting-she turns away her
face at our approach, and covers ito, le.
us withdraw my heart blceds. The pres
ence of charity only adds roignancy to grief.
PHILOLEGIS.