Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-09-06

We make the following extracts from Me- fes-
senden's Address before the Charestown,( ( Mass.)
Temperance Society.
sThe path Of life is besct with monsters
menacing destruction to pilgrims jour
neying through time to eternity. Some
Of these foes to Mankind are best en-
countered single handed, and against
others it may be most eXpedent to form
alliances. Drinking to excess general
ly originates in social indulgencies, and
is one of the excrescences or good felloc-
ship-It has its origin in society, and may,
perhaps, be best encountered by societies.
1t was introduced by fashion, and may
be expelled by being rendered myashion-
able. If those who take the lead in the
community set their faces against it in
concert, they may frown it into non-cxis-
tence, and without any coersive mea-
suics, ex,nguish the most formidable
pest that ever ravaged the realms Of hu-
manity.'
'The difference between excess in cat
ing, and drinking of distilled or fermcnt-
ed liquors, is marked by The following, a
mong other lines of distinction. The
one is the abuse off good Ming-and the
other is the use of bad thing. ln the
former case we take too much food, in
the latter case we swallow more or less
poison Aliment should be taken with
moderation, alcohol, however mixed, dis
guised, diluted or compounded, should
not be taken at all.
'The causes Of the late universal, and
present too general use of Intoxicating Ii
quors, deserve investig alton; rot merely
as a matter of curiosity and philosophical
speculation, but for the purpose OF their
counteraction. These causes have been
partly physical and partly moral, and al
most as powerful as their effects are per-
nicious. Indeed the appetite for intoxi-
eating liquors, being as unnatural as it is
dcleterious, requires powerful means for
its creation and establishment. No man
ever became attached to strong drink,
the germ Of disease, the essence Of mad
ness, the elixir of death, without efforts,
which if they were Of a proper character
and properly directed, would have led to
useful and honorable attainmcnts, and
placed their posscssor in the highest sta
tions in society. "Intcmpcrance," said
respectable coadjutor, "requires an ap-
premiership as much as law or physic;
and man can no more become intem-
perate in a month, than he can become
a lawyer or physician in month. -
The child must be seduously trained in
the way he should not go, or he can new
or become addicted to Il vice which met.
amorphoscs man to a monster, destitute
Of cast, and entitled to no standing n
mong created beings. In order that the
vitiated appetite which rcvels on poison
may be acquired, il has been customary
to begin with the infant. 1t must have
its doses of paragoric, peppermint, and
other cordials, and it will be unusually
fortunate if it escapes the emptyings Of
glasses Of toddy, and the dregs of mugs
Of flip, and other residuary messes from
divers cups Of abominations. Sour cider
and perhaps strong beer, as soon as the
little sufferer can be prevailed on to
swallow them, are administered without
mercy, BY the tender assiduities Of the
nurse, and the gentle hand Of parental
affection. The child, thus trained, over
comes its natural aversion to intoxicating
drinks; and at length acquires such a
hankeriDg after alcohol, that he will
quaf with delight the most nauscous mix
ture, if that exhilirating substance COM
poses one Of its ingredients
'As soon as our STRIPPING begins to
seek society, and TO aspire to distinction
among his associates, he is taught that
drinking is requisite Of fashion, and an
indication Of manhood. Should he re-
fuse to- "toss of" his glass in turn, and
swallow bumper in token Of his appro-
baton of every toast, song or sentiment,
which is elected by incipient inebriation,
at friendly "high CO." he is stigmaiz-
ed as vulgar and III bred-no more fit for
gentlcmen's company than if he had re-
fused to fight duel, made an unskiful
move in whist, or neglected to pick up
lady's fan, dropped on purpose to give
him chance for displaying his gallant
ry. In this way, and from these causes,
what were denominatcd the "higher cir
cies," as well as the lower walks ~ socie-
fy, were little better than schools of SEN
suality, in which young men of ardent
minds and quick perceptions, possessed
Of what has been called temperament OF
genius, ARE most inevitably and thorough
ly contaminated