Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-06-15

! from this address, which we think VIII
fully sustain the character, we have
already given it, in an editorial notice.
Genius Of Tenn.
Suppose then, that moderate drinking
had never been opposed, and that in
temperance could have gone on as it
once did, increasing and spreading over.
our country, prostrating moral principles,
destroying individual virtue, blasting
the best hopes, creating poverty, vice
and crime, corrupting the elective fran
chise, and converting public opinion
into tide of wickedness, how quickly
would the most base and artful men
have launched into the popular current,
proclaiming their devotion to the peo-
pie, by denouncing every good man
who should oppose their designs?-
How soon would sophistry and decep-
ton have held up vice in virtues dress,
and virtue in the robes of vice? How
fast would liberty have become licen-
tious; virtue, expediency; public good,
the good of the strongest party; and
patriotism, boisterous Boosting for the
/ peoples rights-mean ng all the time
! the right of selfshness and of party to
/ get in power, and then tramplc on the
i people at leisure? Thus cabals, in
trigues, violence, desperation and reck-
lessness of character and consequences,
! must have followed. And as sure as
effect is produced by previous ade-
uuate cause, so sure would the time
have arrived when the flames Of civil
discord, filling the temple of American
virtue and patriotism, would burst Its
central dome, and spread destruction
t till American blood should quench the
5 desolating fire.
This is not ficton-it is truth drawn
from reason; and Tor evidence | appeal
to documents Of former years, which
S were given out, not by entire abstinence
! men, but those who sanctioned moderate
drinking. And further proof can bt
, found in the records of vice and crime
and the journals Of our courts. Surely
:. then, if the temperance enterprise ha
= prevented even the proximate causes o
such consequences, it is enough to con
secrate its efforts. And where can W.
find evidence to show but that it ha
u averted from our nation the appallin.
and awful catastrophe'
J, Enough has been said, to show wha
this enterprise has done; and the won
der is that so much has been accom-
plshed in a few years against such
host of opposition as at first existed
Perhaps many of you will ask what has
been done in our town to advance thu
;, great object? But first it may be said
that we all live in an age when intel
ligence on this subject, and ever.
other, is constantly pouring from tn
press; when truth may be proclalme
% boldly; and when in this cause me
y have volunteered whose talents, intel
ligence, literary requirements, Practica
sound sense, and virtuous characters
are sufficient to call to it our most can
did attention.
These means of information, witt
'e numerous lessons Of experience, taugh
u % by the folly, disgrace and ruin OF TIT
r. r. dupes of strong drink, have show
,r every person who has wished TO know
s. it, that ardent spirits contribute not al
item to human strength; that they d.
not submit the digestive organs; tina
they excite, only to produce CORES
ponding depression of muscular power
that they weaken, derange and prostrat
moral principles, and destroy whateve
makes life a blessing. This has beel
portrayed in neglect Of duty and busl
,r ness, and indulgence in pleasure an
If dissipation; in challenging the socia
t glass and tarrying long at the wine; 1
> laxity of principles, conversation an
h manners; and in unreasonable irritabill
ia ty, or ridiculous eileminacy. Also i
S; frequent recourse to the bottle, bar
s. room or grog-shop; in low jests, licen
s. tious stories, idle talking, and ribal
songs; in sporting, as it is called amon
- the rich, and gambling among the poor
ne where both act alike, in losing money
I. and having their minds, which ought
n be the seat of happiness, wrought up I
desperation, and almost madness; an
also in time lost, faculties weakened am
v talents destroyed
g This picture has appeared distressing
y even heart-rending, in the ruin OF pro
" missing sons and daughters; in fathers
once tender and indulgent, becomln!
- monsters in cruelty TO their wives ah'
children; in mothers, whose amlabie DE
-. portment excited admiration, losln!
y. ~ every charm Of female character' IN th'
81 q cheerful home and happy freside bein!'
el. made the scene of misery and despair
e. in property squaudered, estates mortgag
od and whole families reduced to IN
: dirence and pauperism, and childre
scattered to the mercy of the world