Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1833-09-07
Published by particular Request.
" ADDRESS ON TEMPERANCE
BN JOSEPH TALBOT.

Bx JOSEPH TALBOT.
Being lately in Connecticut, | was
informed that the ruinous effects of ar
dent spirit had much awakened the at
tention of the people. Many Of the
clergy, and others, were engaged in
discouraging by their example, by the
circulation Of tracts, and by the infu-
ence Of associations, not only drunken
ness, but also the familiar use Of that
article. As the subject has not obtain
cd so much concern. and interest, in
our western country as in some other
places, permit me to invite you to con-
slider whether there i, not something
farther for US to do.
1t commonly answers but little pur-
pose to expOstulate with the intcmper-
ate 1T is to the sober and influential
part of the community we must look to
promote reformation. DIR. Rush,
and others, suppose that 1000 or more
of our citizens are annually sacrificed
to strong drinking, How numerous
the friends and connections of those
who suffer and mourn! How many
disconsolate widows Pining under po-
VERY and want. How many tender
infant minds, who promised TO be orna-
rupted, vitiatcd, and rendered nuisan-
cc- to society; and all this b, means OF
strong drink! Thousands Of the be-
ncyoleut and the humane of different
religious denominations, being affected
With this great evil, have been induced
20 contribute as little as possible to it,
and to counteract il as far as in their
power. Sometimes by relinQuishins
their dls,illerie, some BY relifquisnins
their trade in it; others by declining
The use Oft IN raising their buildings
and carrying on their business, and by
declining to sell the produce Of their
farms for the purpose Of distillation.
Indeed, some have been SO scrupulous.
and tender IN their feelings towards
their poor weak fellow men, that they
nav. declined any use Of ardent spir
Its, even for medicine DIR. Rush says
that MANY, by using it for medicine, ac
qu,re habit that destroys them. 1t
snow proved by large, long, and solid
experience, that factories, agric ulturc,
and mechanical business of all kinds,
are better carried on without than with
spirltuous liquors, and that health does
not require it. II is also satisfactorily
proved, that when the benevolent de-
signis carefully explained in a tender
friendly manner to labourers, they will
generally be accommodating, and
checrfully cooperate in promoting a
reformation. 1t IS farther proved, that
hose who have abandoned the Gus
tcmary use of ardent spirits. reflect
with peculiar satisfaction on this part
OF their conduct. Why shall we then
con'rnue in a needless practice which
IS troductive Of such infinite unhappi,
nes<1 Why will not every humane,
ire,.g mind, follow without hesitation.
.hc ~xampie of those who have tried
the Experiment. with such satisfactory
success!
,ver, distlllcry, and every dealer in
fpi ''uous liquors., increase its con-
SUMPTION. Are there not too many
tay rms and retailers Of that article
Htbe public receives an emolument for
licenses, does it not lose more by the
impcveIishment of its members? In
STAGES have been known of store
keepers impoverlshlng their customer:
with it. so that they could neither pay
Their merchant, nor he get a living a
monest them
do not flatter myself with the pros
pee, OF new laws that will produce :
Reformation, until people become inter
c>tcl OF the subject. If we had the
bss' laws we could wish, they would be
OF ht'l@ Use unless people we're dis
pos d % pnt them in practice. Man,
useful and respectable men are in the
habit of frequent moderate drinking
without materially ipiuring thei
health or moral character: but these
are the very men who do great inlur,
10 he weak-who. If they follow the
example of their superiors, and take Z
little, cannot resist the temptation {,
more: and so thousands go on to ruiz
for want of the example to ''touch no
handle ~"
What can be more affecting ant
pathetic than the means and lamenta
tons ofsome poor creatures over them
selves in their sober hours, when con
victed in their minds. and given to Sc,