Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-08-30

considers the sole cause Of Intemper-
ance:--
"The idea of permanently invigora-
ting u healthy man by. artificial stimu-
lus is contradicted by physiological facts
as well as practical exper iments-lt is u
well known law Of the animal economy,
tina. Just as far as you raise the system "a
bove lis natural and healthy tone by ar
tIticial stimulus, Just so far will it fall be-
low il the moment that stimulus is with
drawn. Whatever then may be. gained
during the period Of excitement, must be
lost during the corresponding period Of
collapse which will follow. Nor are dis
TILED spirits necessary in cases Of exhaus-
tlon from exercise. The neuperativc
energies of nature under such circum-
stances, require the aid of nutrition and
not stimulation. The notion too of TAX
ing spirits as a preventive Of disease, is
as absurd as the idea of taking them to
improve upon good health; and for the
same reason. 4 man, for instance, who
is to be exposed to cold, or contagion, or
any other cause of disease, drinks glass
of rum and no sooner has the momentary
excitement which it produces, passed of,
shan there ensues a state oftorpor and de-
bility, and all the inroads of disease are
completely laid open.-1his doctrine has
been excriIplfcd in one melancholy III
stance at the cholera hospital in this
place. A man Of good constitution and
OF temperate habits, was sent there as an
attendant; he took spirits to prevent tax.
ing disease, and thus predsposed his con-
in the manner have described,
and fell victim TO the cholera. say
then that little alcohol is not necessary
either to Undergo fatigue, or prevent dis
ease, and no respectable physician would
hazard his professional reputation by an
assertion to the contrary, Experiments
too have been made on the most varied
and extensive scale, which show most
conclusively that men will endure moro
without ardent spirits than with them, un-
der all the vicissitudes Of heat and cold,
humidity and dryness."
DR.. Weeden here detailed great
number OF experiments, showing the cx-
tent to which all kinds Of business are
carried on without the use Of ardent
spirits; and then went on to enquire
nlo the origin and progress of intem-
perance, in order to show how far mod
crate drinking is concerned IN its pro-
iuction:-
"No man was ever born a drunk gard
no man ever deliberately resolved to be-
come a drunkard, unless indeed he delib-.
eratcly resolved to poison himself, and
for tina: purpose alcohol might answer as
well as arsenic. ! he manners aud Gus
toms of society give birth to this vice, and
it is nourished and brought to maturity;
by the combined influence OF fashion and
habit.
Every person is influenced to drink, in
the first instance, by the persuasion and
example Of others; and in this way tho,
foundation Of habit is laid, which grows
with the growth and strengthens with the
strength OF the individual, until an artii.
,ial appetite is acquired-an appetite.
which requires for its qualification pow,
,riul stimulus that changes by degrees.
he moral and physical constitution Of
nan. The unsuspecting victim has now.
% resist the united impulses of his own.
passions and the unyielding solicitations
If his most intimate associates. Tempta-
ions now beset him on all sides. First
lie bewitching aud beWildering proper
les OF distilled SPIRITS themselves--exhib-
ting to the eye all the fascinating COZ,
urs OF me prismatic spectrum-varied-
q taste and favor to suite the gusto of
very one-promising to the Imagination
right and animated visions, and to Iea-
on 4 suspension of all anxiety and care.
They, are exhibited too, on all occa-
ions under the imposing aspect Of friend,
b p aud hospitality; and the man who.
u-.d commits an assault and
artery upon the well settled customs Of
ociety. The idea of drinking is asso-
lated with the hilarity and glee Of all,
Dcial intercourse. The propensity 10,
rink increases with every glass. The,
rawlings of morbid appetite are TO be.
ppeased; and so admirably does habit
cooperate with fashion in the production
iniemperance, that paroxysm Of this
seased appetite returns and IS feh pre-
sely at such times and on such occa-.
ons as the individual has been before
I'd is again called upon 10 CRAFTY it,.
he unfortunate victim too is utterly un-.
'nscious Of the dangers, that sur
und him. lie is moderate dripkcr.,
His conduct is sanctioned by the,
ccept and example Of the best men
society. lie is made to believe that
oderate drinking will hurt no man; and
is lelt entirely to his perverted ap-
tite or misguided judgment TO say,
=, ..,xl...,x. J.;rL; ;,o for uooderaf,