Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1833-09-07

a mark OF prudence and wisdom, then.
to guard with the utmost caution a
gainst acquiring so baneful a habit
Many Of these were men Of talents
respectable, useful men; they did not
intend to be drunkards they abhor-
red the idea; the habit insensibly stole
on, and fixed its chains. 'Were the
present race ofInteInperate persons an
initiated from the face Of the earth
would not our habits make more? II
is the habitual and universal drinking
of spirits that has made drunkards
and while this habit continues no ra-
tional man can expect that intemPer-
ance will be rooted out" 1t is much
in the power Of the influential men in
each neighbourhood, to render the
practice of drinking strong liquors un-
fashionable and despicable. But for
want Of consideration, or for want OF
resolution and frmness in opposing SO
pcrnicious a practice, they continue in
it themselves, and even in places OF
public resort, what can we expect OF
our young men and the community at
large? Does not even the fate of our
repubiic rest on the example of our in
fluential mem "Vain and visionary
are all those theories which promise
men liberty and happiness, while the
first principles OF m rality cease to be
regarded. Moral corruption destroy
ed republics Of ancient and modern
times, till few, if any, are left except
our own, and in this the same cause
will have the same effects, if not RENE
died. 1t is the virtue of the people
that must support republics
1t appears that in the year 1910, our
consumption Of ardent spirits was
33,OUO,OOO Of gallons! most of which
was of our own manufacturing. vi
course many millions Of bushels pre-
cious grain. designed for the sustenance
Of man, was converted into a destruc-
tive liquor which destroys men, both
body and soul. What waste, and
worse than waste, Of the bounties OF
Heaven! How shall l express my
grief for those who are now. IN time
ofscarcity, and while the rod is shaking
over our heads, still Perverting the
bvunties of Heaven. Good effects
have been p. oduced in some places by
our p.ous ministers and others. in re-
mlnding individuals, fro" time TO time,
in friendly Christian ma.Iner, of the
injury they doing their fellow crea-
lures, and that God vii. reward every
man according to his worA>. slave
we cot cause to fear, that an Almighty
experimenting Providence will with
hold the increase of our fields, and Wis.
it us with a famine. if we continue to
abuse and pervert the blessings and
bounty Of his hand! Can the farmer
ask blessing on his labour, when the
fruits Of his field, intended for the sup
port of life, are converted into an artl-
Gle Of death, and destroyer of morals
Without morals. what are all preten-
sion to religion. but a mere delusltn p
Should we not reflect with humility
and reverence on the dealings of Pro-
Whence with US the season past7 Is
there not cause? May we consider
the consequence ofthe persevering i'm
piety and the impenitenCe Of the ante
diluvlans, and be disposed to follow the
example of the Ninevite, by hunbline
ourselves, and turning away from the
evils Of our ways. The sin of drunken
ness is great in our land and who i:
clear of givi! 6 it countenance in some
way or other?
"Men and brethren, what shall We
doris there not something farther
to be done1 Ifw cannot effect a:
mu, h as we wish, let US not despise
the day of small things. The t.se
mites were an acceptable offering; eve
y;man can be good example: single
grains Of sand limit the ocean. We
read of martyrs who laboured. suffer
ed and dieG, in support of truth ano
righteousness. We hear of the extern
sive benevolent. and humane exertlon:
of our fellow citizens Of the prcsen
day, in pro noting the happiness, ane
melioraiing the evils OF the human finn
lily. Shall we of this fertile. favouree
western country. SIT still and view witt
comparative indifference the broker
walls of ZioD2 OF shall we not rathe
arise; and while We build every mar
over against his house. let US invite
our neighbours to follow our example
and 'sthe Lord our God he vii
prosper US: and those who turn mali'
! TO righteousness shall shine "a the star