Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-16
From the Democratic Press.
MINT JIJIFPS.

81
the ravages made in our country by the habit OF
taking sings, uleps, and other drains. pub
lie officer Of Philadelphia, holding highly re-
snonsible Office: one, in the faithful conducting
.of which the public have deep interest, Is so
much slave. to this detestable and rninous
practice, that, independent Of various extrava-
gancies and disgusting indecencies OF conduct,
in public places, he has been known 10 take Jo'"-
teen mint juleps before dinner!
How long is the public patience to be sport
ed with. and theirsust expectations OF change
frustrated? How can the business OF an eA'eh,
Give nubic office. with number OF clerks and
runners. be depended upon to be done with cor
rectness and honesty, with such an officer at It's
head3 There are other changes IN TINS city
loudly demanded by the public interest and the
blic voice. If the administration were locat-
ed in Philadelphia, where they could see and
hear that which is passing, this city would mol
he disgraced as it is, nor would the pubic
nurse suffer to the extent it has done from the
negligence and knavery, or absence and inatten-
ton. of their public servants. THOMSON.
From the Ne,o York Enquirer.
MINT JULEps, &c-Our remarks on the pro-
nriety Of erecting an a YUM for drunkards have
met with very general appreciation, and been
most extensively republished in other journals
Of the Union An appeal 10 the moral sense OF
the public will rarely be made in vain. We feel
disposed therefore TO follow up those remarks
with some others of less general application
and Of more general nature. lntcmperance,
the besettng vice of our country, is not comm
ed to the low and vulgar merely. ltls, no doubt,
low and Vulgar vice, but the high, the ednca-
ted, and the compIished orders OF society are
not altogether uncontaminated by its influence
1t is amongst them that its most melancholy trl-
umnhs are obtained II is there that we have
its path marked by deeper impress and wi
der desolation. We shall perhaps startle the
quiet and moral portion OF our citizens, when
we assert, that habits Of intemperance are grow
inc upon the educated youth Of this metropolis
deed to be found in any disgusting exhibitions
of intoxication in the streets. Ii the evil as
sumed that shape, it might be the more easily
eradicated No. it is to be detected in the ge-
neral practice Of tipping in bar rooms at all
hours ofthe day, without any regard to appear,
ance or apprehension result. Young men OF
the best families in this city may be found SO
indulging themselves. The practice is so ge-
neral as to pass without notice. Brandy and
watcr-mint julePS-wine bitters, &c. &c. are
the daily (and sometimes the hourly lndul-
gence Of too numerous and TOO respectable
class of our young men. In England when peo-
pie meet, the first salulation is-"a line day"
or can unpleasant day." in France, ga pinch OF
snuff" in New-York, "wha. will you drink. =
At first, the practice may be harmless; but, like
all other sensual qualifications, " 1t makes the
meat it feeds on, aud insensibiy generates
fixed and most pern!cious habit.
To see half dozen youths OF family, fortune,
and high exp ectations, crowding round tavern
bar, in the broad day, reckless OF observation
and consequences, is sad prospect, and not to
be met with in any country in the world but our
own. The taste is soon vitiated-the health al
fected-all delicacy Of sentiment (the only true
moral preservative) Observation-Disclosures gradu-
ally neglected-low intimae les contracted-cha-
racter taipted-till at last, the unhappy victims
of this foolish and fatal propensity, are IRENE
diably ruined. This is not speculation. 1t is
not mere fanciful sketch. Our city can num-
Der but too many terrible examples Of its lite
raj truth. More than one respectable family
will bear reluctant testimony 10 the raVages OF
this vile practice. Who can walk our streets
without occasionally meeting some bloated and
broken Countenance--marked with the SAD trac-
es of unnatural disease? Ask who and what
tDeSe poor CREATURES dIe anu YOU VIII W o"' wv
frequently Iold--that they were born in lair
station, and educated with the brightest hopes
but that station and those hopes, the affection oil
their families and the respect of the public, have
all been sacrificed to the poor ungentlemanly and
degrading habit of Incorporate indulgence. 1t
is The source Of every other social offence. 1t
is the create. fountain which deluges the gam
ing room and the brothel with their pestlient
population But how is the affection to be mi
ligaled? The suppression of tipping houses
and dimnution Of licences may be serviceable
to the morals of the Small vugar'-but the
"great vulgar are not to be checked by any
such restraints. Nothing but broad and pub
lie stamp of moral Reproduction can affect them
Parents, guardians, tutors, masters, are called
upon 10 visit the lapses Of those committed to
their care with the most earnest admonitlon or
the severest censure.
Let them point out by name the many and me-
morable instances ofdegradaton and ruin which
have happened in this city. young man just
beginning to drink his Jjuleps and baters must
look, not to his own companions, but those who
have had few years start of him, for proofs
of the effect which these sensualilies produce.
If he has the good sense to profit by the expe-
rence Of others, it is fortunate If not, it is on
II, come hannv internoSition which can save him |