Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-04-15

rectlOn OIL tneSe vices is q uuty, OIL "iA ~
, nit. But amidst all the vices which degrade
and disgrace us as people, the vice OF IN
temperance "alone bears the PALM" II
has been repeatedly affirmed, by those who
have visited all other countries and cllmes,
that the Americans are the greatest nation
of drunkards on the face of the globe. un-
less there be strong foundation for such an
humiliating comparison, it can scarcely DC
believed that such unqualified assertions
should be made. Look around, however,
and ask ye, your own hearts and minds' II
there be not the strongest reasons IN the
world, to elicit from foreigners as well as
those who have visited foreign countries,
such disparaging remarks. Consult the
newspapers of the day-examine the bills OF
mortality-take review of your own expe-
rience and observation-and the relations OF
credible witnesses-and see what a vast
multitude Of human beings are every year
hurried to the tomb, not by ordinary sick
ness and disease, but by the overwhelming
and destroying power of Rum! No man,
when candidly and soberly viewing this sub
iect, can refuse his assent to the proposition,
that Intemperance is a just cause OF reproach
to our nation. And fit be justly national
reproach, it is of course such to individual
character.
fit be true, then, that this vice so great
ly prevails among us, it may not be amiss to
consider it in various points of view, in or
der that we may do away the cause Of ma
tional as well as self-reproach. In the &C
QUESTION of wisdom and knowledge, it has
been wisely said, that the first step toward
it is, "to know that thou art ignorant" But
in regard to reformation of character,
whether public or private, the first stepis to
know, and realize too, wherein our character
is faulty and defective. Without this know
ledge of our defects, it is vain and delusive
to imagine or believe that any change will
ever be wrought So long as men can find
means of justification, excuse, OF apology
for what they allow themselves to do, so
long there is little hope, however vicious or
proAigate they may be, that they will ever
pursue any different course. The cold
man" will not be put off for +" the new man J"
and "they that are filthy, will be filthy STILL"
II, is vain to attempt to wink out of sight
the fact, that the Incorporate use of ardent
spirits commits, annually, the most fearful
ravages upon the health, wealth, peace, and
happiness, of vast multitude of the citizens
of this country. Scarcely can we walk
abroad without beholding some living me-
mento of its baneful effects. How many
young men, who, but a very few years since,
were the joy of their parents, and the delight
of their friends, are now either asleep in
their graves, or are eye-sores to their ex-
pectng parents and friends, by reason of
this dreadful scourge of human prospects
and human felicity! Every individual of
forty years of age, who will be at the pains
to pass in review the last twenty years of
his life, and make candid acknowledgment
of the truth, will be ready to exclaim-Alas
what terrible inroads this devouring monster
has made in the circle of my friends and ac-
quaintance. See, says he, there was that
man, who but a few years ago was one of
the most smart and active men for business
in the place-but now he is feeble, enervat-
ed, and broken down. There, too, is another
he was man of fine talents, capable of
doing business to the greatest advantage,
and might have been an exceedingly honour
able and useful member in society-but rum
hath destroyed him-his mind is distracted
his character gone-and he no longer
merits trust or confidence. There, too, is
still another, he was dear to me as a friend
or brother-he was kind and affectionate-
and ready and willing in every good word
and work. But he, too, hath fallen victim
to intemperance His company is no longer
pleasant or agreeable-his time, instead of
being spent in useful industry as it used to
be, is now consumed in visiting taverns or
grog-shops, listless idleness, or an unmean-
ing and senseless jargon of idle, low. and
foolish conversation. These are but few of
the examples that might be adduced; but
the reader, by calling to his view facts
within his own knowledge, will readily per-
ceive that there are numerous others equally
affecting and impressive.
And are these statements and views the
result of a distempered Imagination? No
they are sober realities. Scarcely man
can be named, whose feelings, in one way
or other, have not been severely tried and
wounded, by sad experience of their truth.
Who, then, that values life, domestic, social,
4 and friandlu iratorcnurso h1.t .,a..s4 e Il