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

l.. 10 the 0funkafu > grave, ~ thc OedCou
which indicates the point of safety? who,
then, that presumes to travel this road
can tell when he crosses that invisible
line, which divides temperate from in
temperate drinking"
Having thus exposed the deceitful
character Of moderate drinking and also
the error in public opinion with reference
to the use Of ardent spirits, the author
went on to show how this error might be
corrected. He made it evident that
the influence of example so powerful in
producing intemperance would be equal
ly powerful in preventing it. He illus
trated the nature and moral influence Of
Temperance Societies, & the soundness
Of the theoretical views, which lead to
their formation. He then brought for
ward the following array Of facts to prove
their efficacy in practice.
'The safe and wholesome principles up
on which our Societies are founded, and
the perfect security which they afford
from the ravages of intemperance, have
given them a degree ofsuccess throughout
our country, unparalleled in the history Of
all moral reformations and far be yond our
most sanguine expectations. A revolution
has taken place in this moral universe,
within the last six years, which promises as
much for the interests of humanity, as the
political revolution of'76. In 1895, ,such
th.nc Cnn.at,,
unknown, but in May 1881, the number
automatically reported to the American
Temperance Society, exceeded 5000,
containing more than 300, 900 members.
From the influence Of these societies, on
the public mind, 900, 900 more had adopt
ed the plan Of entire abstinence. Con-
nected with these, the children, laborers
and others under their control, were sup
posed to be about 600, 900 more. Here
then no less than 10000 persons are
brought directly under this salutary re-
straint which our system imposes. Now
had we followed the old plan Of using
rum moderately, 10000 of us must have
become drunkards; for out Of 12 ,O0O, 900
pursuing this plan 400, 900 had become
SO, which is in the same proportion.-I
Since the commencement of the Tenn
perance reformation 1000 distillers and
5000 retailers have voluntarily abandon
ed the murderous business of making and
selling poison in the diluted and disguis-
ed form Of distill ed spirits. More than
5000 unfortunate drunkards, finding their
footsteps no longer followed by moderate
drinking, have paused, and are tracing
back their way to responsibility, and toF
happiness. They have all temporarily re.
formed, and, as the temptations to drink,
are so much diminished, many of them
we trust, permanently so. A general
sense of the danger of drinking has been
awakened throughout our country, and
public opinion is rapidly undergoing
happy change. Willyou cooperate with
us in completing this work of benevo-
lence; or will you throw yourselves into
the ranks Of the enemy and oppose us'
l say oppose us because | can see no
neutral ground. We have been success
ful in suppressing and preventing intem-
perance, by directing our efforts az gainst
the cause Of this vice-moderate drink
ing. You, by your advice and your ex.
ample uphold and sustain the cause, how
ever earnestly you may deprecate its ef-
fects-You plant the tree, encourage its
growth, and when it has become firmly
and deeply rooted, you vainly attempt TO
eradicate it. Say not that you are tenn
perate enough already, and others may
take care Of themselves. What would
YOU think Of the man, who should refuse
to subscribe to the quarantine regulations,
on the ground, that living in healthy
part Of the town, though the malignant
cholera might be introduced and thou
sands Of his fellow-men might die, he
would be safe? But we propose reg gula-
tiens to prevent the spreading of pestl-
lence, compared with which the cholera
is blessing-a pestiIence which annu-
ally carries down to the grave, 80 900 Of
our fellow-citizens, loaded with infamy
and disgrace. i cannot on this occ aston
notice all the little objections made a
gainst our Associations-I will say Of
them. as whole, however, that when
weighed against the lair and conclusive
arguments, and the facts by which our
cause is sustained, prejudice itself must
acknowledge that they are but dust in
the balance"
"But il a man use no distilled spirits
himself, or procure none for the use Of
others, is it necessary for him to Join a
Temperance Society," Such a man is
with Us in principle, and we know no
reason why he should refuse to let the
world know It, that his character and in
fuence may plead the cause Of Temper
ance even while his tongue is mute
Every one too knows the superiority Of