Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-12-20

add-temperance. Why is il that two
farms, side by side, where the soil is G.
qually good, present SO different an as
| pect3 In the one case, the fences and
the buildings are kept in perfect repair;
the stock on the farm is well fed and
thriving; for the farmer would rather feed
his cattle than the still with his coarse
grains-In the other, the fences are all
down, and the catfle'destroying the crops;
the house is in dilapidated slate; while
old hats and coats supply the place of
glass. Where such difference exists,
let the cause be examined, ard in nine
cases out Of ten ardent spirit will be found
to be the root OF the evil.
So with any branch Of business. Those
farmers, those manufacturers, or those
mechanics, who permit the use of ardent
spirits, cannot as general rule, stand in
competition with those Of the like en-
ployment who conduct their affairs on the
principle of entire abstinence from strong
drink.
Why is it that the Society of Friends
are almost invariably successful in their
undertakings' May it not be in great
degree attributed to the fact, that they
never drank ardent spirits Who ever
has seen Quaker paupcr in this coun-
try? Who has ever seen Quaker con-
victed3 There may have been instances
Of both, but if so, they are rare indeed.
What stronger argument do we want in
favor Of the cause of total abstinence,
than that to be drawn from the habits Of
this highly respectable class Of citizens.
Their experience is invaluable. They
have tried the experiment fully; they
have tested it's value and they are con-
stantly enjoying the advantages of it. 1t
is no wonder that thrift and success at :.
tend them, for they are always sober, al
ways cool and collected; and it is not
their fault that they have this great ad-
vantage over others in their worldly bu-
siness. How desirable in every point of
view, that the experience Of the Quaker
should not be lost upon our country -
How happy ifthc whole community would
adopt the excellent rule, and have moth
ing more to do with the destroyer! We
should then see new order of things.
Health and prosperity would take the
place Of disease and poverty, while no
estimate made would even approach the
full advantages to be derived. All clas-
ses would be gamers; and even the dis
tilcr, the wholesale dealer, and the re-
taller, would soon find they would not be
losers. The fact is, the use of ardent
spirits has tendency to destroy an i'm
mense amount of trade in useful articles;
for, let all agree to stop making and
vending them, there would be no drink
ing-no intemperance. Then portion
Of the hundred millions Of dollars now
spent yearly in purchasing the poison,
would be spent in procuring bread; this
would help the farmer-another portion
in purchasing clothing; this would help
the manulacturcr--another portion in
tea, sugar, coffee, SC. sc.
and this would help the grocer-famlies
would be better clad, and this would help
the tailor, the shoemaker and the halter.
All would live in better houses, (and pay
their rent too) which would help the
landlord. So in every point Of view, all
classes would be gamers; and another
hing, the dealers would place themselves
out Of the danger they are in; for on en-
quiry it will be found that sooner or later
a very great proportion Of the persons
engaged in the traffic Of ardent spirit,
nave either been ruined by the trade, or
BY the temptation constantly before them,
nave become Incorporate, or have had
he distress of seeing their sons intempe-
ate; or their daughters married to men
who have become Incorporate in consc-
luence Of the example of those they look
Up to for guidance. Temp. Rec.
III