Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-10-06

is no grace in coat nor in pantaloons.
The former is not adapted to set OFF the hui
man form to advantage, but rather conceals
and Injuries it. There is nothing for grace
that can compare with the ancient Roman
robe, or the short cloak, doublet slashed
sleeves, feathers, and hat of the Spanish cav
alier of olden time. That was dress that
was indeed ornamental and native to good
taste but which has passed away probably
never to return, and only to be admired in
the beautiful engraving or vivid description.
TEMPERANCE REFORMATION. Every be-
nevolent man must regard with great salts
faction the reformation which is gradually
progressing in the use of ardent spirit.
From every part of our country, which has
long since come to be stigmatized country
of drunkards, there is abundant evidence to
satisfy every inquirer that agreat and gene
raj change is taking place for the better
that people are opening their eyes to the
enormity of this widespread evil-and that
a consequent decrease in the consumption of
intoxicating liquors is every where manifest.
This is encouraging, and should operate as
powerful Indictment to those who are en-
gagged in the cause of temperance to be un-
sparing in their efforts till the great end of
an entire and complete reformation is eff
fected.
We are inclined to attribute this reforma-
tion to the associations which have been
formed for promoting temperance. 1t is by
promoting temperance, rather than by sup
pressing intemperance, that we are to rid our
land of one of the greatest evils which can
befal us. Experience has taught US that it
is vain to attempt the reformation of drunk
ards, by argument, persuasion, or even by
Enthusiastically while the habit of tenn
perute drinking is kept up. The only effec-
tual method is for individuals who are al
ready temperate to form compacts to abstain,
while they have it in their power to do so,
from the use of ardent spirits under any cir
cumstances, and thus not only guard them
selves against this besetting temptation, but
furnish an example which will do more for
the general good than all the arguments
which reason or ingenuity can suggest.
Notwithstanding the present favourable
state of publick opinion upon this subject,
there still fingers in the minds of many we'll
disposed and benevolent individuals preiu-
dice against temperance societies, & all open
& decided measures to promote temperance,
which we should be glad to see done away.
1t is common for such men to refuse to take
an active and positive stand against the use
of ardent spirits, and join society which
holds its members under bond of honour
to discard it entirely from their houses and
places of business-and at the same time
express, and undoubtedly fee, "a most friendly
disposition towards the object of such un-
dertakings. The reasons assigned by such
men for this course of conduct are various.
Some do not wish to prevent temperate use
ofintoxicating liquor; some think it deroga-
tory to lay themselves under an obligation to
abstain from what they have no temptation
or disposition to do; others will argue that
it is enough for them to take care of them
selves, and set an individual good example ;
others, again, are yet unprepared and unwil-
ling to deny themselves a very moderate
use of ardent spirit-(a very moderate use
of poison! they wish to poison themselves
only little! to injure and endanger their
health and lives only little! to destroy the
tone of their stomachs and the characters of
their minds only little J and are hard to
persuaded to deny themselves this trifing,
yet bewitching and insidious qualification,
for the small prospect they would fain be-
lieve there is of its being of service to their
fellow-men.
We cannot but believe that little refec-
ton would convince such men that they hold
an erroneous and dangerous doctrine-and
lndt ii Lney are not on tne SIDE OF temper
ance they will most certainly be against it.
If temperate, respectable man refuse to
lend the influence of his character or the
force of his example to check the great sin
of drunkenness, he may depend upon it that
influence will be put in operation to give the
sin blacker stain and deeper root. The
drunkard will take advantage of it to stife
a little longer the compunctious bodings of
his conscience, and the temperate drinker
may not be put upon his guard, as he ought
to be, against the wiles of treacherous
enemy which is every moment seeking his
ruinin the guise Of friend.