Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-01-11
FOR THE ENQUIRER.

While contemplate with considerable
pleasure, the successful effort our Legis-
iatGre has made, to put a stop to the Oa, C.
ful practt of Dueilng, lament most sin
ccreiy, that Its notice has not been directed
to another evil of equal, if not greater
magnitude. l allude 10 the habituai and
perniciJus practiC of IN intem perate use
ofardent spirits. The Legislature Cannot
doubt the propriety OF tax MS this matter
into their most serious consideration. when
its numerous evils shall be made to appear
70 them in their d eadtui forms.
The destructive effects OF ardent spirits
upon the faculties of the mind, are most
lepiorablc, and no less so upon the morals.
It's demoralizing effects are manifested, i'll
the commission of the blacklist crimes
such as uncieanness, fraud, theft and muir
der. And can there be a mere affecting
scene presented to the view of a man OF
feeling, than to see one possessing al the
fine accomplishments OF a polished educa
ton, a slave TO this odious practice ? Is he
husband what tumultuOus anguish rends
the bosom of his wife is he Father !!
beh Id the bushes that suifuse the cheeks
OF his son or daughter, when his garru Gus
tongue begins the recital Of some obscene
action or other Is he an Officer high III
authority what fears and apprehensions
are entertained of venal administration
Of the laws lin fine, poverty and misery,
crimes 6I infamy, disease & death, are the
Certain consequences OF a too free indul-
gence in the use of this Undertaking liquor. 1t
mas been estimated that there are between
10 and 1900 persons, who die annually
from the use of ardent spirits, in the u. ).
And will it be denied that Virginia bears
her full proportion Of this astonishing mum
ber9 | hope not, for the sake of clear
conscience. If this deadly influence upon
our population, morals, &c. continues to be
exerted, without some effort on the part
of those whose constitutional prer0gatve
it is TO devise such measures as are Calcu-
lated to avert il, what need have we for
Government ] answer, none at all. For,
in permitting a vice Of such enormiiy, to
reign with IMMUNITY, is mockery OF those
principles upon wDich it was originally i'll
stituted. If the horr,d and barDarous prac-
tice of DuelliDg, which often deprived so
ciety OF its brightest ornaments, was suiiloi-
ent cause to awaken the sympathy and
terror of the Legislature, and Induced il to
enact certain laws to prevent its recurrence
what solid reason can it ofler for the want
Of similar zeal and interest, in protecting
our citizens from the more general and
CiudilJ OtoeiuCliFC Pi~SttSC VI oh iiOih
nate indulgence III the use Of distilled spi-
rits
This growing evil in our state. must a.
larm aad aflct every friend to virtue and
morality it calls aloud for Legislative in-
reference and unless son measures arc
adopted, by that bOdy,to suppress its bane-
fol influence on tie health, wealth, popula-
ton and morals of our citizens, there will
be no knowing when, where and how il
will-tsrminate. No good plan has BIZ
therto beer proposed, by which the evjk
could be entirely obyIdtcd. ! would there
fore suggest to the Legislature, the pro-
pretty OF imposing heavy taxes on all dis
TILED liquors, & fines upon all drunkenness
wherever exhibited, whetherit be IN pub
lie or private, so the faCi can be clearly as
northumberland in order for the more CT
teclual attainment q this end, lei Il be The
duty Of the Commonwealth Attorney, to
! g,ys this olsncc, to tie laws, III charge t.