Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-05-21
now retains it under the title Of an Ecclesiastical

Gaming down. then, through tie NiuuiI
Ages.,, When every castle was garrison, ana
eyery courtyard seat of justice, we fnd this
vice still existing and increasing, until, IN mo-
dern times. it has frequently become the suo)ect
of LEGISLATIVE enactment. There Is one reason
which prevented intemperance from blazing iortn
during the dark ages, with all that brlllancy
which distinguishes our own tlmes-and that
reason shall be given hereafter.
We now arrive at the latter part OF the ProPo-
.it,on. which is, 6: That the greatest men VINO
have figured on the pages OF antiquity, either as
sayes, philosophers. or warriors, have regarded
temnerance as one of the cardinal virtues"
The heather philosophers, in almost every IN,
stance. made temperance an important article OF
creed. Zeno. born at Citium, in the island OF
Cyprus, and Father of the Stole Philosophy,
was remarkable for this quality. He taught his
followers, by precept and example, that sobriety
was necessary ingredient in his favorite phloso-
phy; and it was to the practice Of this virtue that
he owed long life, spent in public service
Epictetus, a disciple of Zeno, and teacher OF
his doctrines, was as remarkable ashis master Tor
total abstinence. Epicurus, celebrated phllo-
sopher, born in Attica SAC years before Christ
taught his followers that happiness did not ARISE
from sensual qualification, or from vice. Out from
the euioyments of mind and the sweets OF virtue.
Although violently assaied by the believers IN
the Stole Philosophy. he answered their charges
by referring them to the blameless tenor OF long
and peaceful life. Plato, an Athenian phlloso-
pher. was 50 temperate character, that hlsto-
rrians have attributed his wonderful escape from
the plague $50 eoquently described by lhucy-
dides) which ravaged the city Of Athens during
the commencement of the Peloponesian war, to
this virtue alone. -
Socrates. the most celebrated philosopher OF all
antiquity, was also of the Athenlan school. lie
was one of those who firmly believed IN the I'M
mortality of the soul; and on certain occasion
declared. that he had formerly possessed the most
vicious propensities, but that they had been re-
strained by the voice of reason. Seneca, born
wears before Christ, was follower OF the Stoics;
he resided at Rome, and became the Preceptor OF
Nero. zone of the blacklist characters OF Anti
ouity). He did not partlcipa in any OF the
vices which then dishonored the Romans-and on
that account became an object of hatred to his
Imperial Master-The consequence was, that
he suffered death for pretended offences: breathing
forth such principles of morality in his dying
hour. that St. Jerome has ranked him among the
Christian writer's. Pythagoras, born at Samos,
was notorious example of 1emperance;-in the
4Oth year of his age he removed to Crotona. and
continued, in the public places of the City. to
deliver lectures to the populace, which would do
credit to any modern sage. Epaminondas has
been considered as one of the most brilliant cha
racters of ancient times-and his military re-
nown has not been essened by the greatest tenn
p,rance and frugality;-whilst Thebes herself IS
remembered, in song and In story, the name OF
Epaminondas will not be forgotten. In sacred
history, we find the Apostle Paul, at Cesarea.
among other subjects reasoning on Temperance
before Felix the Governor, and with so much Ell
feet that Felix trembled. Arisldes. distinguish
ed Athenian warrior and statesman. was surnam-
ed the Jusr; because, in the estimation OF his
grateful countrymen. his exemplary Temperance
had entitled him to it.
After running over these venerable characters,
MANY of whose ennobling qualities lie buried in
the gloom and obscurity of ages, / would ask
how does the proposition now stand! Here were
men with passions as ungovernable as our own:
who had. in fact, with the exception OF Paul
no higher motive TO guide them than present hap
piness: vet we find them discarding lntemper'
ance. as one of the banes of society.-tiave these
ilustrous personages no weight in the great scale
of Morality: glory in the pride of their great
names! 1t may, therefore, be contended, that
there is nothing useful or expedient In the prac'
tice of Intemperance, or it would have been
adopted BY the Heather Philosophers: they were
in pursuit of happiness.-Had these habits of In
temperance afforded them that happiness they
would have INDUCED in them; but as they avoid
ed them, it is clear and logical conclusion that
there was no happiness to be found therein 1t Is
cogent and manifest syllogsm.
Having established, as think, the genera pro
position shall proceed upon other grounds; SC
far we have been fighting an enemy not In sight
let us bring the subject nearer home: let us make
it as plain as the simplest language can do it,
:. Temperance is beneficial, because it is an area
nam of longevity" On this point l shall bt
brief as for the effects of ardent spirits upon thu
natural constitution that rather belongs to the de
partment of the Physiologist-and every thing
that could adduce upon that subject would ot
taken from the writings of eminent practitioners
| will content myself with stating few facts
In work entitled g The Philosophy of Natura
History" by VIM. Smelie, IA Member OF thu
Antiquarian and Royal Societies of Edinburs,
it is laid down as an axiom, ''that, notwithstand
ing few exceptions, Temperance. placid ane
cheerful disposition. moderate exercise, and pro
1