Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-09-27
MIR. LEEDS TEMPERANCE AID.
DRESS.

II l"S "'S ho "'oNW eAhhcts 'oh' thiS "u-
dress, wlch we think will fully sustain the char.
acter we have already given il, in an editorial no.
tice.-N y Gsnius Of Temp~ance.l
Suppose, theu, that moderate drinking
had never been opposed, and that intern
pcrance could have gone on as il once
did, incre asing and spreading over oul
country, prostrating moral principles, de
stroying individual virtue, blasting the
best hopes, creating poverty, vice and
crime, corrup,ing the elective franchise,
and converting public opinion into trade
of wickedness how quickly would the
most base and ariul men have launched
intothe popular current, proclaiming their
devotion to the people, by denouncing
every good man who should oppose their
designs? How soon would sophistry
and deception have held up vice in vir-
tues dress, and virtue in the robes of
vice! How fast would liberty have &C.
come licentious; virtue, expediency;
public good, the good Of the strongest
party; and patriotism, boisterous boa
ing for the peoples rights-meaning all
the time the right Of sclfshncss and of
party to get in power, and then trample
on the people at leisure3 Thus cabals,
intrigues, violence, desperation and reck-
lessness Of character and consequences,
must have followed. And as sure as ci-
feet is produced by previous adequate
cause, SO sure would the time have ar
rived when the flames Of civil discord,
filling the temple Of American virtue and
patriotism, would burst its central dome,
and spread destruction till American
blood should Guench the desolating fire.
This is not fction-it is truth drawn
from reason; and for evidence l appeal
to documents of former years, which
were given out, not by entire abstinence
men, but those who sanctioned moderate
drinking. And further proof can be
found in the records of vice and crime,
and the journals of our cougts. Surely,
then, if the temperance enterprise hus
prevented even the proximate causes of
such consequences, il is enough To con-
secrate its efforts. And where can we
find evidence TO show but that il has aver
ted from our nation the appalling and aw-
ful catastrophe?
Enough has been said, to show what
this enterprise has done; and the Won
der is that 80 much has been accomplish
ed in few years against such host of
opposition as at fist existed. Perhaps,
many Of you will ask what has been done
in our town to advance this great object?
But first it may be said, that we all live
in IN age when intelligence on this sub
ject, and every other, is constantly pour
ing from the press; when truth may be
proclaimed boldly; and when in this
cause men have volunteered whose tai
ents, intelligence, literary requirements,
practical sound sense, and virtuous char
acters, are sufficient to call to it our most
candid attention.
These means of information, with nu-
merous lessons Of experience, taught by
the folly, disgrace and ruin Of the dupes
of strong drink, have shown every per-
son who has wished to know it, that ar
dent spirits contribute not an item to hui
man strength; that they do not submit to
the digestive organs; that they excite,
only to produce corresponding doPres-
sion of muscular power; that they weak
en-, derange and PROSTATE moral prlnci-
pies, and destroy whatever makes life a
blessing. This has been portrayed in
neglect of duty and business, and indul-
gence in pleasure and dissipation; in
challenging the social glass, and tarry-
ing long at the wine; in laxity of princi-
pies, conversation and manners; and in
unre asonablc irritability, or ridiculous
effeminacy. Also in frequent recourse
to the bottle, bar-room or grog-shop; in
low jcsts, licentious stories, idle talking,
and ribald songs; in sporting, as it is
called, among the rich, and gambling
among the poor, where both act alike, in
losing money, and having their minds,
which ought 10 be the seat Of happiness,
wrought up TO the desperation, and al
most madness; and also in time lost, fac
ulties weakened and talents destroyed.
This picture has appeared distressing,
even heart rending, in the ruin OF
promising sons and daughters; in fathers,
once tender and indulgent, becoming
monsters in cruelty to their wives and
children; in mothers, whose amiable de-
pertinent excited admiration, losing eve-
ry charm OF female character; in the
cheerful home and happy fireside being
made the scene of misery and despair;ln
property squandercd, estates mortgaged,
and whole families reduced to indulgence
and pauperisn, and children scattered to
the mercy oC the world. And this pic.
ture has received its dark, gloomy and
terrific coloring, in the victims Of 'ntoxi-
cation who have swelled the expenses
of their temperate countrymen, in peop-
ling our alms-houses, gaols and prisons,
in adding largely to tho list Of crimes,
and in furnishing subjects for the gal \