The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-10-03
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From the UiHiamStol0a .4drocate.
nEEENCE on DI1hI

LEI E4NCL Of RUM
EXTRACTED FROM A COLLEGE ExER-
CIsE. x = < Among the various grounds
of objection assumed by anti-drinking com
blnations against the use of ardent spirits,
shall only briefly notice the following
" that it enervates the mental faculties,
dlminshes muscular energy, produces pow
erty to individuals and misery to families,
shortens life, is dishonorable, and obslucts
the prosperity of a nation" That preju-
dice should scatter seeds like these ought
not perhaps to surprise us. But would men
look at facts with impartiality, they would
! see with other eyes. The true effect of
4 drinking on the intellectual faculties IF the
I yeraci1y of the initiated may be relied on
are in their order these. 1t sheds genial
warmth and cheerfulnees around the heart,
expands the imagination, and paints to the
eye OF fancy a thousand delightful images.
1t gives richer and brighter flow to social
sentiment, and emits Il wonderful blaze of
wit It wakes the energies. of thought,
lights the ethereal fire, and rouses genius
from its Wonted state of inactivity. In
spired by this celestial beverage,-this
nectar OF the gods, the patriot feels his
bosom swell with mighty projects,-the
poet darts his lightning through the moral
his thunders. Each period is magic to the
breast of Virtue, palsy to the arm of Vice.
Hear the testimony of the Scottish bard.
q Leeze me on drink! 1t giles us mair
Than either school or college;
In kndles wit, it wakens lar,
1t pangS as for a. kR0aciedge"
In noticing the second position, that
! drinking impals the muscular energies" |
admit that ardent spirits if taken to great
\ excess may produce some arrangement in
| the system. That men were formerly in
the habit of drinking TO excess l will not
deny. But those days are gone by; and
| in this age of improvement and refinement
we stimulate that is, drink Tor health and
spirit. And have we not the testimony of
medical practitioners in all ages to the vast
utility OF SfiBlutdntS IN cases OF debility /?
appeal directly to the man of experience,
to the whole class of our laboring popula-
ton if an increase OF energy is not one
very end of drinking? Doubtless it is this
which filings a flush of health upon the
cheek of youth, strings the nerves of toll,
and makes old age more CHEEKY totter
downsthe vale of years.
| am no advocate for acine. This every
one knows is pernicious. "Who hath wo
who hath sorrow? who hath contentious
who hathwounds without cause who hath
redness of eyes? They that tarry long at
the teiae I" 1t has been asserted by a
modern writers Ia sage, no douot) that
all the crimes on earth do not destroy so
many lives as ardent spirits" 1t is even
pretended that ten thousands die annu-
ally in the United States from this cause.
But facts, so far from authorizing the posi-
ton, that spirit shortens life" prove it on
the contrary to be promoter of longevity
Francisco, the Methusaleh of America,
died at the good old age of 1875. And
why did he pass so far the common bound
aries of human life ? He lived in constant
habits of inebra:ion. And some have sup.
, posed that rum must have existed before
the flood, or men could not have lived sc
, long.
Drinking has been Furthermore pronoan
ced dishonorable y Dishonorable Is
not honor founded on fashion? And wha
, more fashionable than Bacchanalian de
, lights? Dishonorable Look into th'
highest walks of life. See the cup in the
hands of talents, education, and refine
ment; of the grave and reverend; OF mag
a istrates and kings; " And truly these arr
; all honorable men,"
Still it is urged by our cold-water politl
i ticians "that generous libations obstruc
i the prosperity of nation" TIC. put dow
!. forever this prejudice, look at the tendenc
Of our distilleres, They furnish employ
/ ment to multitudes, They afford TO on