Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-05-10

Is oihefs TO The Temperance II, formation No exemr.
tiou is expected by its friends from the difficulties
l. usually presented in the yay of every etFr, 70 do
great puoiic good Iney do however, hope and ey-
" pect that the merits of tins effurt will be fully and
arly eanvassed and justly appreciated by the editors
OF political papers, and by hem LAID before the pen~
pie whom they profess to serve. go %. : =
The great OBJECT of these associations has beer
misunderstood, aad therefore misrepresente6 II is
moi to reform drunkards; bat 10 prevent the
OF their plumber Il is believed that the only ctc,ent
ears. 10 gain this end entire abstinence frorn The
use Oft ardent spirits. That much evil proceeds from
their USE cannot be denied. Il follow az neeesaarg
consequence, that much evil would be prevented h.,
entire abstinence The use of ardent spirta hEs
Drought INTO society more poverty, crime, and desra-
dation than any other vice, and carried premaureIv
TO the grave more of our race than plaque pesti-
fence or famine Why should not all unite in remo..
wing from among us. -uch detnora.izng desruc
agent! We should hail the discoverer of specific
ior hydrophoola or consumption, n bencfacor of
mankina, Yet, stronger inconsistency When wo
have remedy proposed for n Iaalady which, one
year after another. sweeps oTens Of thousands from
the EARTH some OF us not only regard 1t with utter
indifference, bui without examination treat II with
contempt Does any matter, thought so important
10 the happiness OF man, by those who have rnauelv
considered it, merit such reception from
any who claim title 10 benevoence or patriotism? A
plan which proposes to the usefulness of thou
sands and TO rescue tens Of thousands from want and
misery? T,,1F
Public virtue is the very fountain of life to sound
t"putii2an System The character and conduct OF
every lntueIccS the Stability OF
iclit and the peace and happiness Of society The
patriot wall do al in his power, to place his country
m condition 10 command and employ all her ener-
gles, mental ana physical, in The promotion of heE
prosperity So far from using the detnorailzng agen
cy OF ardent spirits, to gain epheneFa popularity
nc Will frown upon that who would thus jptre3
poison into the fountains Of c isation debauch the
public morals anu send from eectioneernr orgies
IOtu the hosoms Of families their nntural prot octora
transformed INTO brulss 80
1t would require more time than can al present
devote 70 detail the benefits that would result from
entire abstinence from the use of erdent sprus: ,oo
will only notice few the most common obectiono
TO Temperance Associations and give "a ehcrt hint
to such as would egislute for the families of drunk
ards. One objection Is that ";he abuse of good
thing Is no argument against the use of it." NYhe
business OF this, IN its application to this subject will
be admitted, when it is shewn that auy good Is dong
to the individual or to society, by the of ardent
spirits an drunkards were moderate drinkers.
They doubtless intended only to use and not abuse
the good thing. Who that uses il with the same
good intention, has any security that he viii not
abuse ~ The drunkard had the same security; il
failed: and he is ruined Another all sufficient rea-
son given by many, foT refusing give their !ndn.
ence TO promote he object of hesa societies is thai
they are free men, and will do they pie,ss Ua
say to suck-f IN the exercise OF your free agency
you canno; choose to do good. there Zone ~ con
pei yon, AID we hope there will be any. Yon
are certainly free TO act the one way the other
except SO far ardent spirits has dominion over yon
w" DO not understand that why 1t is not quite as
ranig a2d independent 10 resolve TO cease 10 do
evil, and learn 10 do well take Gle oppo-.
site Course and continue to do evil and learn TO do
worse There Is another obi lection which ought not
to be passed unnO!cei It is this-These
"Tcmperance Societies will be used by de-,
signing for political purposes, and cndanger our
liberty II there be great promise Of public gooG
from these associations, and ali good patriots thcre
tore JOIN them, where is ia" party from that
VIII subvert our liberty! Surely not from the Fem.
Perancc Society. Restraint upon RIGHTEOUSNESS by
the m Jestc influence of public opinion never endan:
gered the liberty of any people. '> = 81
1t is thought by some OF politicians, that pro.
vison ought to be made by lawfio protect the drum
kards family, already covered with shame from po;,
erty and despair Laws ee5ting the private conducs
OF Individuals when that conduct does no lnmcdata
Injury 10 the person property of any ohsy thar,
the family OF the individual whose praciscs are rem
rehenSlbe, are TO say he most, of doubtful policy
Like sumptuHry laws they will always be odeus 70
the great body " the people, and therefore badlq
executed. Let those who would legjsate for tho
families % 6runkards give the aid OF their taeno
and example to Temperance Societies; whose salata,
ny influence Is to purify and strengthen our political
institutions, and 10 duse blessings through all tia
social and domestic relations of life, Let all rood
and influential men, unite in This great cause and
there soon will be to egislae for tho
amiIes Of CruukardS Fhe number OF broken hearted
wlvG:, OF disconsOlste willows, and poor orphans
Will be diminished. Parents who cannot afford by
reason Of their thirst and that of their friends
to educate their children. will be enabled 10 perform
this important duty their ofspring-our poor rates
VIII be much reduced-uur tails and penitentIarv
comparatively dePopulated, To the next generation
our tipping laws will be mere matter of curious
history. They are now standing reproaca to all
"Pposers of Temperance Societies.
a MODERN FANATIC.