Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-08-14
ALEXANDRIA.
WEDNESDAY, Areusr IA.
COMMUNE ATIoN.
DRUNK ENNESS.

cONMUNfcATIoN.
DRUNKENNESS.
While contemplate with considerable
pleasure, the successful elfot our Legis:
|iature has made, toput stop tothe bane-
|fut practice of duelling, | lament, most
sincerely, that its notice has not been di-
|rected to another evil of equal, if not
greater magnitude. allude to the habi
|tual practice OF an incorporate use Of ar
dent spirits. The Legislature cannot
doubt the propriety of taking this matter
limo their most serious consideration,
whenits nulnberless evils shall be made
to appear to them in their dreadful forms.
The destructive effects of ardent spirits
upon the faculties of the mind, are most
and no less 50 upon the mo-
trails. Its demoraltziag efects are maui
Tested in the commission OF the blacklist
|crimes; such as fraud, theft and murder.
land can there be more affecting Gene
presented to the view OF 4 man o. feeling,
than to see one possessing all the fine ac-
accomplishments of polished education, a
slave 10 this odious practice !? Is be a
husband (? what tumultuous anguish
trends the bosom of his wife ! Is he Ia
| Their behold the bushes that suffuse the
cheeks of his daughter or son, when his
sarsu.ous ton.sue begins tie recital of
,soGe obscene acton or other! Is he an
officer high in authority what fears and
,pprehensions are entertained o. venal
administration of the laws In fine, pn-
iyerty aud misery, csimes and intamy.
disease and death, are the certain conse-
iquenc.s Ola too fee indulgence in the
use Of this inebtiating liqaoT. Il mas becn
ESTIMATED that there are between 10 and
1000 persons who die annually from tie
use OF ardent spirits in tie United State;
land wll it be denied, that Virginia bears
her full proportion Of shis astonishing
ngmoer2 hope not, fay tie sake OF a
clear conscience, Ii this deadly inilc-
ence upon our population. morals, DC,
continues TO be exerteti, without some
eifort Oh tie part OF those, whose oonSu-
lSutional prereSatiVe 1t is 70 devise such
measures as are calculated to aret It.
fsyhat need save NC for governments
ianswer. rome at ali fo IN permitting a
E9ice OF Such enefm!tys TO reign with lin"
lpunity, is a mockery of those principles
upon which it was originally instituted,
! lhis growing evil lnour state must alarm
iand ai1ict every fliend 10 virtue aud mo-
ir.tiity II calls aloGd for legislative inter
ference and uniess some measures are
adopted by that body, to suppress It's
thaEeiui influence on the kealth3 wealth.
population, ard morals, Of our citizens,
There viii be no Knowing when, where,
Iaad how : uii terminate. No good piau
nGsh:therto been proposed, by Nhlch The
levi could entlrei, be obylated. | wouiu
therefore su gest TO the Legislature, tie
lpropriety sfnnposlng heavy taxes on all
Idisaacd liquors. aid fires upon all
hitu. kean.ss, WI. ever exhibited, w'le-!
It.eS lss5elff i!i.a,.c OF private, tie tact
lea be ciea.iy ascertained ana III o.
ider TO. tire more ehctgai attainment ci
FMS end. ltt5lt &c lie uuty # the com
'aaa>. eaith's attorney, and u TIE judgesi
~ tue supreme coust. to give THIS ofehcei
TO the saws Iii Charge TO the grand jut, !
Upon the cohylctien OF the second or
ithnd offence. incapacl!ate lie offender
Etot serving eltilsr ~ q g'&Gi5tra.e. lnOli
Tor witness il ce,r o. also fccola !
In'eied The iDsyi,a,.ng al sesefe penaltlesI
lagaiasf tnose who sell spirits to such a.
Inad already drank TOO freely.
Aitlnugisthe measures sppear seeere !
ithey are mild Wien compat cd to. so,ae q !
idopted by other states in the union. I'd
lsuhdue hi evil in sUcfely, SO saaversjvcI
jof all order, decnrum and morality. andI
(which, Il not checked BY the interpretation
I5f the law. mast eventually prove run0us|
10 the happiness and wei beng Of soci
ley.
RUSH.
Fairfax County,
a ,ceN authenticated Fact.