Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-07-20
For the Alerandrio Gasstte.
INTEMPERANCE.

rlch, WDicn ucdVSu SecHiS 10 nave h'S'-SN
saouId yield every thing calculated to give true
enioyment--a climate always healthy, and
where a greater part of the year, ''the ar
sweetly recommends itself into the gentle sem
ses,, and where even in the deepest winter,
when the chilling blasts and merciiesss storm
yaues round rs. we are favoured with every
mean to defend us from the inclement season.
A government securing to the enjoyment of
equal rights and privileges free press from
which is constantly flowing every species ofin-
formation which can either enlighten or amuse
"a system of education from which are CONT
uually flowing streams Of instruction, running
through every, part of the community, with
the most happy influence upon the rising gen.
eration- IN land possessing so many sources
of innocent and rational enjoyment, Isl not sur
prising that any human being should be found
willing to sacrifice interest, health, character,
happiness, and even life itself to the gratiiica-
ton of thirst for ardent spirits Are the no.
bic faculties which God has given US, by which
his image has been impressed upon mankind to
be thrown away as vanities? viii good rePu-
$ation, the respect and esteem OF those around
US, the pleasures of social intercourse and do
mestic eniovmen: afford less pleasure than the
miserable fumes that intoxicate the brain? are
honor, virtue and religion only dreams? and
:, it better to be worse than brute, than to be
aman? Then is wisdom to be found at the
bottom of our cups, and the drunkards course
shaped by sound philosophy.
We need not on this occasion pursue intern
perance into those dens of iniquity and vice,
whereit celebrates its unholy midnightrevelry
mingled with the most horrid prefanity-Ncr
need we particularly advert to those miserable
wretches we often behold reeling in our streets,
known by the name of common,drunkards.-
Those who unite in these acts and who exhibit
such spectacle may be safely left to the disci'
pline of shame and remorse that follow them
such an examples too disgusting to be con-
tageous. The greater body of the people may
pity or despise, hut cannot initiate. Improperly
considered, they are lessons of wisdom and IN
struction, well calculated to teach us all
how much the paths of the incorporate are to
be Stunned. The pernicious example which
eorrupts public sentiment on this sub ct,comes
from different quarter. 1t is when ardent
spirits are introduced into the higher classes of
society-into better company-and used not to
intoxicate but to give zestto social converse
1T is when taken by men of high standing in
society-men of education and talents, whose
conduct and opinions give laws and taste to
fashion; it is when used in the society OF the
reverend and the serious, rulers and magistrates
that the example becomes contageous-so long
as it here receives countenance and support,
so long will it maintain its ground in society.
If sentiments of propriety and decorum of con-
duct are to be supported-if habits of temper
ance and sobriety are to be cultivated; # the
moral instruction which we have received from
our ferefathers, are ODE preserved and trans
mitted to those who are hereafter to fill our pla-
ees, those sentiments, habits and institutions
must be cherished, guilty ated and preserved.
IT is not by idle defamation against the in
temperance of the times from the lips just wet
with wine, that this wee is to be rePressed. A
firm and steady example must be set by men 70
whom others look up for an example. Inc
sentiment must be deeply impressed upon the
public mind that it is disreputable and disgrace
fulto indulge at any time In the use OF ardent
spirits.
The whole amount of misery and distress,
which this odious vice scientifically scattering
through the land, cannot be ascertained-nuch
of the sorrow and misery, OF grief and distress
It produces, is anxiously concealed in the ach-
ing hearts of wives and children-parents and
friends Nor is it easy to ascertain the amount
of injury it does to the moral and religious ha-
bits of the community, nor how far it loosens
the many ties which bind man to his Creator
Ito his fellow men. But we daily witness E.
nough to give us the most appalling conceptions
of the magnitude of the evil--we behold ITS
baneful effects in the uncultured farm--the
suiped buildings-the wasted health-the tot
tering frame-the disorded affairs of its wretch
ed and miserable victims. 1t often seems as II
the very genius of ruin and desolation has pass
ed over their affairs, sweeping away every
thing around them that would sweeten and en-
dear and embellish existence & leaving behind