The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-10-05
lNTEMPERANCE.
Extract of an Oration delivered on the 4.h
OF July, 1926, by Mr.. Robert Fleming.

OF July, 1926, by Mr.. Robert Fleming.
NY female friends, we solicit your aid and
attempts to overthrow this colossal evil. Your
influence over our sex is justly acknowledg-
ed. Let the young man who thinks it small
matter to indulge too freely in spirits, feel the
potency of your frowns. Should he be so inn
prudent as to offer to join in your inoffen-
sivc parties of pleasure, or your evening rec
reations, let him read in your countenance a
cold and UNIV elcome reception. Give him
distinctly to understand, that however smart
he may think himself around a Bacchanali-
an board, you think him unworthy of admis-
sion into your associations of amusement. All
unite not your destines with his. He is of all
men the least likely to reform. Though
your arguments may win the gambler from
his shameful pursuit---though you may pre-
vail with the uncouth blasphemer to desist
from his low and ungentlemanly habit tho
your smiles and economical conduct in your
domestic pursuits may provoke the indolent
and improvident husband to active industry
and strict frugality, yet a lover OF ardent spir-
its is incorrgible. His ear is deaf to all rea
soning; his inscnsibillties are blunted, and
not to be awakened by all the soft per-
suasiveness of your embraces, or the more
melting eloquence of your tears. Could we
pourtray before you the legions of evil bro't
upon your sex by Incorporate maIi-could
we represent in proper light the scenes of
iniquity which have stained his character,
your feeble nature would shrink from the
sickenng view in melancholy sadness, while
all the smitten powers of your soul would
thrill with the mournful sound, "man is fal-
len"
The case, however, of most confirmed
drunk ards, is rremediable. But though few
should be reclaimed by this pointed, this
singing neglect, yet it is believed many, pe-
ry many, would be deferred from entering
their path. Our hopes are principally from
this rising generation. To them in good
degree, is committed the destiny of our land.
Tn proportion to their virtue, or their vice,
our country will be happy OF it will be miser-
able, we should therefore guard them a.
gainst vice in general. Good parental gov
ernment is the life Of good society, and that
community in which no attention is paid to
the moral culture of the youth is rapidly
Fastening to infamy and disgrace. "lt can
not be doubted that if due pains were taken
to impress on the minds of children at an
early period an abhorrence of drunkards and
OF hard drinking in all its forms, many
might in this way be saved from shame and
| oerdtion." But alasi how many fathers in
.his Christian country, (even OF those VINO
! have declared that they are the followers OF
] he Lord,) leave their children do as they
/ list, to associate with whom they please,
! to go where they will, and return when they
think proper. How many youth while un
der the parental roof, and during that criti-
cal period when the vigilance of parent
should be double, are permitted to mingle
fwith the dessolute and unprincipled, to loi.
ter round dram-s shops and acquire habits OF
idleness and tippling. 1t is now no uncommon
sight to see beardless boys, reeling and spew-
ing around these pitfalls Of destruction.
If we love iberty-if we wish to preserve
our country from bondage-if we wish tc
save it from the iron grasp of bloody tyrants
let US endeavour to cultivate the minds and
morals of the rising class of the community