Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-06-25

dent of too will be adduced 10 Justify ano.
her until the Bible, the only standard Of morris, will be
laid aside, and the dc,a men be made the rule OF duty
and the rights OF private judgment would be ein-
qsed The consciences o the ignorant would be fet-
tered and uammeed with regard the most trivial and
veha indulgences, and lie rendered uncomfortable by
useless observances. When a large portion of the com
muny declare to be sinful TO drink trade in ardent
spirits, the spirit oil prescription is at once The
church member declares, that lie cannot have fellow
with one who has not joined Temperance Society and
who by drinking ardent spirits trading in the same is
committing SIN The aspiring aud designing politician
tiers this iilbera sp slips In ho society himself aud in
cucaes the doctrine that he that lives in the habal sin
OF trahcng i'll ardent spirits is unfit for civil olice-De-
cent society Is called upon TO refuse intercourse with
who has forfeited his claim to Church and State pre-
meht and thus the upright aud liberal minded man, no
ouaches no consequence such trivial observance
abstinence from drink. when he is entirely temperate
excommunicated from the church. put under the ban
ne empire and prosecuted by public opinion. Such will
e "eVaoiy TIE consequences Of the inolerant spirit Of
the members OF the Temperance Society unless checked
by timely interference OF cnlig public opinion
Du' we WIN examine more in detail nto the that
are alleged 10 sinful traffic ill., or use ardent sp
ri,s as drink. Ii is contended,
First That the use oil sprtuous liquors is neccssa
sary Tor the sustenance oil hie and that they are
tive of great mischief society by their abuse and a
therefore, their is moral wrong We " III examine
this subject anaiytically aud enedvour shew that no
one OF the reasons alleged in the sequel sufficient Jus.
NY The inference, that the traffic OF ardent spirits
a. drunk - moral wrong; they all combined
ecen 10 Suy snch iniercnce The argument under the
hrS head proves too much. If the every thing
essential 10 mans sustononce which is productive OF mis-
chief To society is TO be proscribed sinful more than h.
OF the comforts of life might Tor the same son be con,
deinned Meat, which is abused To guttony is
not necessary support fl lac xuries and r.
of life might also be excluded Wealth. often abused TO
The viles purposes, would be interced and nc such
doctrine pushed to its legitimate queuce, would
JON Tie most ausere department., gaib the
codrsest iood; ami in TACT amount to virtual ahanone
oil the many blessings with which henciicen Providence
has crowned lie. Almost every thing in nature has
been abused perverted by the vile propenscs man.
The idea OF supporting vice by nerctng the means or
opportunities OF committing sin, il chimerical sinful
Ii was this idea, that drove into monaseries; that en-
joined cebacy; and has aided in the establishment Of
many sinful and unnecessary austeries. And the
progress towards similar extremes since the first organ
cation OF Temperance Societies, similar consequences
may be apprehended We were first asked TO oin
temperance Societies upon the ground OF eXpediency
The Joining OF such associations is required
uuly. Societies are now springing up in of
tue Northern States, prescribing the of tobacco
We will be told next that the OF tobacco is a mo
raj wrong and that all who grow deal in that article
cur moral guilt for, defy the patrons of the Society
produce an argument condemning sinful the sp
rtuous liquors. that does not with equal propety exclude
as sinful the Of tobacco The Incorporate
lee and tea is productive OF many distressing dis
eases, and society has sustained much injury from the
trade in those articles They articles of luxury and
sufficient why those who them nnocently and
in moderation, should be deprived of their and made
answeabe for their abuse by others? Will the import ant
discovery be reserved for the 18th century, that he who
sips dish OF tea takes pinch of snuff ncurs moral
guilt? Let these .Nec Lights (roh pudor) stop befoi
they arrive at such ridiculous excuses.
MODERATION.