Litchfield enquirer., 1829-11-05
FOR THE LlrcHrlELD ENQUIRER.


NJ. EGitor-There are few evils the suupresson of
which requires vigorous exer,ion on the part Of
those who possess the power Of selEgovernmeu, than
that Of intemperance. you think the publication of
the following lines would contribute in any measure
TO such an event. you requested to insert them in
your paper.
Having been educated 10 what is called " the land
Of steady habits" have too often witnessed, even
there the "stcady habit" Of an Incorporate use of
ardent spirits. Who witness, without emotion,
the enormous growth Of this alarming evil in every
part of our country How are the finest sensbli,ies
OF our nature shocked on behodng many youth ad-
dcted to this degrading this seIfdestroyng, this a.
bOminable practice! And being compelled by the
common intercourse Of mankind, to witness and to
dread its consequence what phan,hropst, dictated
by the cause Of humanity, will lend the ce-opcra-
ton Of his influence in the great work Of arresng its
destructive progress!
Among the causes Of this mighty evil, the example
Of Incorporate parents their children is very con-
sPicuous. No one will, presume, pretend tina, chill
dren are born with relish for ardent spirits: and yet
how often do we witness circumstances indicative of
this artificial appetite even in very young persons!-
However humiliating it may be to parents, we are
compelled, in very many instances, to refer such an
effect to the above named cause. No sooner do in
iants discover signs Of perception and inquiry than
their minds begin to expand with knowledge of the
names and qualities Of things. Eager to participate
with their parents in whatever they are taught by ex-
ample, to think capable Of gratifying the Senses they
are importunate unit, their wishes are complied with.
is in vain for parents their children BY pre-.
cept, against vices which they themselves habually
in fhair II =
the interrupted taste Of children TO arden, Spirits
while they are continually urged by example to an
other draUght Of what was at first disgusting.
81 want some," socferated boy Of Eve years old
to his father who took decaRler from the sideboard
for his accustomed dram. 90 you must not drink
tit is poison for little boys;" rejoined the father.
without feeling the force of the truth he had uttered
"What makes you drink it, Pa, lift is poison p 30
Pa has to work. When you get a little bigger, so an
TO 20 into the field and work, you shall have some
How does il taste in your mouth 7" continued the
little urchin, with penetration which indicated
genius deserving better example. The mother an.
swered, 40 it is not good James. Pa drinks il to
make him strong, so thai he can work."
Thus may parents for a time, appease that mpor.
tuny which at length becomes uncs ntroabIe, and ID
complied wb at the expense Of their future if NOT
their eternal happiness. As IL IL was not enough that
their youth must afterwards be exposed 10 the conta.
minaiing influence Of the dssipated circle which Gus
tom collects around the inebria,ng bowl. the seeds Of
moral and physical destruction are sown 10 their very
infancy! What vast amount Of good might result 20
the rising generation, would all parents, who are nd.
dicied TO- the practice of intemperanee, picture 70
themselves the loss Of happiness the ruin Of reputation
which must ensue in consequence Of their pernicOua
example; and 10 view Of the subject break OF at once
from their evil habits. and unite their efforts, By ex.
ample well as preceP, to train up their children in
the way they should 90, that when they are old they
may not depart from 10. would proceed to speak Of
other causes Of this dread monster, ssd by tracing
their effects strive induce such OF my readers as are