The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-02-01
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY,

TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.-No ].
" These ought yc to haze done, and not to
feare the other undone. ST. MATT. xiii, 90.
Webster, in his Dictionary, defines the word
temperance, {" moderate indulgence of tae ap.
pettes or passions" The effect of diff'usible
and narcotic stimulants upon the human svs.
TEN, by continued use, are productive of the
worst consequences to the health, habits, and
happiness of mankind, if inordnately employed,
and many expeGients have been resorted to by
the guardians of public as well as private
- morals, for remedy TO so extensive and de.
stiuctIve matady. Numberless societies have
oeen instituted IN our country, for the diffusion
OF temperance, and the g moderate indulgence
OF the appetites or passions" though the word
temperance IN some societes, is OnLy limited in
ats meaning to the temperate use of rum, Jran.
az, and gan But in this age of reform and
improvement, in the moderate indulgence of
the appetites or passions" it is the unalienabe
right OF every member OF the community, TO
examine into the theory and practice of this
work OF humanity, or in other words. the cram
pie as aoeH as p,ecept Of those acho are dedica-
tors Of the cork
But, In the first place, we would invite the
attention CT every honest mind TO the fact, that,
IN the zeal OF many, apparently pious and moral
people, TO dlscountenance and prevent the use
OF ardent spar.ts, many iceightier stimuiants
are either overlooked, forgotten, or neglected,
which exert more deadly influence upon the
system, and are used by many to an alarming
and even fatal extent. At The head of this
catalogue Of" substitutes" is OPIUM. This drug
is called, by celebrated writer, the uagnuRl
Det domain, In medicine; but how perverted has
peen It's usefulness, even in this community, by
substituting 1t for other stimulants. The ruin
Gus effect 1t produces in the system is not ex.
celled by rum, brandy, or gin. would refer
the reader to the first volume of the Journal of
Health, page 297, for description of some Of
the horrors it occasions. Vines and beer are
used to great extent, and in a great degree
nave taken the place of ardent spirits. The
narcotic principle contained in the hop, of
winch the beer is partly composed, is of a most
deadly character; and when taken in excess,
produces fearful consequences. White Must
ard, BeliddonG, Ginger, Pepper, &c., are also
much used as substitutes for ardent spirits, and
possess powerfully stimulating qualities when
taken into the system. In regard to the use of
ZONES, Eve aude TO the fact, that for every
gallon of pure wine which is sold, there is per.
haps pipe, or fifty times the quantity, of that
which is adulterated, and in various manners
sophlsticated-the whole, without exception,
the source of thousand disorders, and in many
instances, an actiUe poison imperfectiy disguis-
ca. Thus we find that the very wines which,
from their cheapness, will be the most apt to
come into general.use are little better than pois-
ons'" See Journal of Health, vol. !, page 1876.
Another substitute is afforded, by adopting
the "1honpseniaa system of Elixirs," " Anti,
fogmatics," &c. Thompsons Eiiltr is com.
posed Of eognac brandy, cayenne pepper, and
myrrh, and as used cery ertensiUeiy By his pros
etytes IN different parts Of our country As to
the effects of brandy upon the human system,
1t is too generally known TO require comment,
and what must be the effect Of brandy when
saturated, and made doubly stimulating and
noxious 10 the system, BY the addition Of cav.
enne pepper, and the aromatic bitter, myrrh |?
" The tmcture Of myrrh is in common used ex.
ternaIly, as stimulating application to foul Ill.
GERS, and 10 spongy gums" See American Dis.
pensatory. What person is there of common
understanding and moral worth, in any civilized
community, who would use daily, weekly, or
even occasionally, or advocate such phlogisti.
Gated compound as Thompsons Elixir ? al.
eohoi, Itself, cannot produce more injurious
and Undertaking effects upon the system than
thus Ettrtr Owe OF THE PEOPLE