The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-06-21
INTENfPERANCE.
From the Boston Daily .4duertiser.

Mr.. Sprague's Address before the society
fcr the suppression of intemperance, on
Thursday evening. attracted a crowded au-
dience, and was heard with profound attcn-
tion. 1t was powerful appeal to the pat
riot, the philanthropist, and the Christian.
20 unite in the determination of the vice OF
intemperance. The appalling spectacles OF
man falling away from his glorious destiny.
and woman sinking from her angel character
Of tae young bowing their faces in the oeau-
~ of their promise, and the grey headed
seeking the tomb in disgrace, we're present
ed in warm and glowing colours. and the du-
~ OF exerton to arrest the progress OF the
destroyer--by example as well as by pre-
cept-was enforced in strong and vigorous
language. The power of example, Mr.
Sprague contended, was the power on which
the society must chiefly rely for success in
their labors; as laws for suppressing dram
shops and laying heavy duties on imported
or domestic liquors, could be of little avail,
SO long as custom authorizes, and renders
almost indispensable, the constant use OF ar
dent spirits, wines and cordials, on all occa-
sions of hospitality OF festivity. The revolt
ing portraits he sketched of the son, the hus-
band, and the wife, given over to the om-
nipotent despotism of strong drink, It is fear
ed, are not the creation of a poetical ina
gination, but the two faithful pictures OF
painful and frequent realities. He traced
the all-pervading propensity to dangerous
indulgence through all classes OF society
from the rich, who boast Of their wine that
has been rocked upon the ocean and rlpen-
ed beneath an Indian sun, to the miserable
tenants of the hovel, who will have rum,
though their children famsh for lack OF
bread; and urged to the necessity of com
mencing the reformation so much desired
among the rich and fashionable.
After touching upon many OF the evils ot
iitemperance. as they affect man in the life
that is, the orator alluded to the unspedkable
Importance they assumed, when man was
considered as a being born to live forever
Time would cool the hot blood of youth. and
Philosophy might take the reigns that pas
sion resigned, but the vampire lntenper.
ance would cling closer as it drew Its cap
tive nearer to the grave. Is it not wonder
full, Che sad) that a creature glowing wits
the divinity of his Creator-cndowea with
energies TO control the things Of one world,
and with attributes that capacitate him Tor
the joys of another--abe to bind to his will
the elements that surround him, making
the winds and the waters the ministers OF
his pleasure--riffling the caverns OF the
earth of their unsunned MISUNDERSTANDING
places-exploring TIL unbounaed realms OF
creation till he stands in speechleSs
homage at the footstool of creations awful
Founder---is it not indeed wonderful, that
such a being, so rarely endowed, should
dare to quench the sacred fire that has de
scended upon him--cumberng the earth he
was born to subdue, and torfeitlns the Hea-
ven he was ordained 70 enjoyt
The orator adiured the clergy, the anont-
ed ministers Of Christ, who enjoyed the prl-
vilege and had the command to speak Il
men of their immortal destiny, TO aid II
the work Of reformation. fit were impor
sant Che said) TO make men beGere right
was it not still more important to max,
them do right. If it were their duty as min
listers to point the way to Heaven, was It no
their duty, to fit men for Heavens enjoy
ments. They could sharpen and burnisl
their weapons, and set themselves IN aTa'
against each other, in defence of their yari
Gus and contradictory creeds. and why coulc
they not unite their powers to overthrow
the giant sin that wars with every creed.
In conclusion, Mr.. Sprague cxhorted til
Society to persevere in their honorable la
bors, not suffering themselves to be dishcart
ened because they could not accomplish al
they wished. All human efforts The said
however laudable, must be marked by i'm
perfection. Thar is the badge of earth an
all that is earthly. 1t is hung round th
neck Of man, before his first repose on hi
mothers lap, and it remains there till hi
last sleep on the lap of the common mothe
of all. 1t is impossible entirely to root ou
drunkenness--but it may be made so rare
crime, that the guilty ones shall stand OF
like dark pillars on the road of life, to remin
the innocent how far they have left then be
hind. Go on, then, as YOU have begun. tn
health and happiness of individuals, ii
comfort of families, the welfare Of societ
call upon you. The fiery serpents of il
temperance are abroad in the land, let yol
example be the symbol OF healing, which III
afflicted may look up to and live. What !
say and do, others will initiate. Alread
there is rustling among the leaves Of II
forest, and it foretells the rising wind tn;
shali come in its parity to cleanse the sufft
eating atmosphere. Reformation is begin
ming at the right place, even in public opir
ion. Win but that, and it will do more I,
you, than all the laws that sumber in I.
dust of your public archieves Go on ar
may the prayers Of good men accompar
you, and the blessing of heaven seal yo,
honorable labors And when that hou
which must come TO us all, shall come to W
when lingering on the confines Of life al
death, the awed and subdued spirit looI
back to the scenes that have faded in Il
distance-when thr hollow applause Of IL
raC tg-.pn -, Il -