Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-05-10
FOR THE v1noISlA ARGUS.
DRUNKENNESS.

Dyaatdrds-In this epistle shall speak of
your character with freedom; | shall point out
ihe improperly Of your conduct and attempt to
prove the absurdity and turpitude of the habit,
which you have contracted.
Drunkenness is voluntary debasing ones
seltto the lowest state of beastiiness it is will
fully and Knowingly depriving ones self of rea
son, without which, man is dupe 10 the vilest
passions, and liable to commit crimes, ut which
human nature should shudder. Ii is prelude TO
most other crimes consequently the precursor
OF much evil 1t is great enemy to morality
and rc!iSiani both of which IL atiacks, first by
arl,fce, then by violence. It hes tendency t.
eradicate very refined sentiment every exalted
idea, and every rational conjecture; and I'm.
fslsTtt 2rejHdice, suspicion, jef lousy and malice,
an the breast Ok lin: who yields to its baleiul
influence. 1t dilapidates the vs9erabie fabri k
OF modesty, and upon its ruins, pcnrs Hood
of yulearty.
IL arms the assassin, persecutcs the unpro
tected, pursues with mslignity the virtuous,
combais with justice, makes the timid pot
valiant, and withholds that charitable relief
from the needy which humanity would not de.
ny to guilt. Nor does the malevolence of the
d5unksrd stop here after having insultcd,
abused, castigated, and with sataRical fury,
driven his wife and children from the protec
ton of his roof (their legal right to stem tie
inclemency of the night chilling dews, and PEI.
hsps rain, hail, and snow; he, then, like the
prowling wolff with black design, tracks his
way to The miserable hut Of the African, who
has toiled The day upon the scanty pittance OF
bread and water: 10 support the intemperance
Of this wretch, who, now, attempts TO torture
him with lire, water, or any engine of misery.
and denies rePose to the poor negro on his bed
of boards, who solicits the warmth Of the fire 10
supply the want of blankets.
Such IS thy character, oh drunkard and
such the tenets ofthy God to whom thou offer.
est myself as a sacrifice, and with the essence
Of whom, thou art SO frequently surcharged as
20 be unable to walk erect with your draugb,,
consequently you fall PROSTATE by your altar
(Which IS commonly called the bottle OF iug)
and chant songs which were composed by Luci~
fer some of his ministers, and which may be
found among the archives deposited in the pan.
dsmonium. And when you have sung your
mass, and gratihed the wants Of Somnus, should
the powers Of your religion have so much abat
ed, as to admit you 20 rise from the cbiaton
which you csstup from q region near your heart,
sou viii then be IN as surly mood as the Span.
lei was, who let 60 his meet 20 fight his own
image, which he saw in the water. Tho cats
and dogs vii fee from your vindictive hands
at such time thisi knowing that you viii
make them the object of your vengeance, and
on them iniiict tie venom Of your sting.
At this enlightened day, and in this civilized
mother, the infant, and the servant, dcploring
the cruelty Of their intoxicated churlish LORDS
power. How many children have been consign
I'd 60 pcnury and want, frora their fathers drum
kenuess How many Of the far Sex, who would
have 8hOne as bright considerations in their re-
spectiye spheres had they bee properly odu-
Gated, have been doomed 20 pass their days in
unnotcsd poverty, the effect OF thtr fathers
bbacity Many young men have grown up ne
elected, and uncducated, who, II they had re-
eeived the necessary Improvements, would
make the ar, the pulpit asd the senate resound
with their elOquencej but alas their fathers
cVpldlty has denied them this honor. and com.
p-led them 10 fall victims 20 ignorance. Res
der, art thou a drunksrdi ~ thou art, get drun.
No more remember it is On offence gainst t,e
divine IS well as against the municipal law
recOilect, that If you coRtinue in your dunk en-.
Bcss, you cannot possess the love of your
friends, and the confidence OF your acquaiutan
ees IN this life, neither can you inherit the king
DON o. heaven, 1.-THE abode Of eternal felicity
after death. Let me tell you that he who aior
tens bis days by intemperate drinking, IS gully
OF deliberate suicide, and II he is married
man he Is also guilty Of perjury because wher
The marriage rites we're sOlemnized, he proms
I'D, (aad ssilsS On God to witness) that he