Litchfield enquirer., 1833-09-12
FOR THE LIrcHFIELD ENQUIRER.


 If the evils which arise from drinking spirits are as great as have eudeaSored show that they are. it becomes serious question, how they can be prevent ed take il for granted that all who take the troub e to read these papers l feel interested in this ques- iion There may, indeed be persons whose sole anx- i,ey is. how they may best enjoy Ife and secure the greatest amount of property and pleasure, with the least trouble. Such, however, they exist, are rath- objects of compassionate regard than of sober argu menia,ion. can only hope that this paper will be read by those who feel that they have in this world something to do for the general good, well for their own; whose happiness is complete till all their fellow share in it. Such, perceiviDg the evil tendency and evil effects of ardent spirits will feel that something ought to be done to coun,eract them.
 There are several measures, which, it would seem, must commend themselves to the appr0baIfen of all who canGidly consider the subject.
 In the first place, spirits must De totally abstaiRed from. The idea Of n moderate use of them must be given up as impracicabe. lift possible tO use wine with temperance, it is not possible spirits for spirits being that in wine which makes tt danger ous. are. in ihemseves. positively all that wine possibly be {; they cannotbe used without niemper-
 
 ed more hopeful undertaking, than io steal temper ateiy, or lie temperately. The only case in which they can with safety be used is in sickness Ried cine. Whether even in that case they can he resor- ed io, with real Hy, he determined by the phy siciaH, e arises. It is not within my compe- tency say that, in of sickness bodily hurt, they may no, he beneficial. There few poi sons which 60, sometimes. But even then they mus, be regarded undermining the constitution, while they relieve it of its present load.
 As to using spirits daily by way medicine, with view acquire strength work hard, and keep abo" inc idea is absurd to be admitted. Ha person be really tn ,at in which ardent spirit is required he ought consider himself, and 10 be considered by others being for the time invalid. He 6ugtt iO keep ,is bed, CT his house, as if he had taken metc, or some other medicine, implying serious sick ness, and inability to pefurm common husiWess. His friends ought to visit him, take for his Hest practicable recovery; and a the mean time io that he does nothing which sick inao is not inl'y compe,ent 10 do. And fine loves his medicine so as to be willing to he sick enough to require h hc ought to he considered ne disorered in his ihellec and to be treated others are, ia cases ofnen disorders
 In the second place, ardent spirit oGgH mot to O. publicly sold for common ass. fG medicinal point view the sale of fit siaads the ground the sale of arsenie or sny other poison. These arc kep only by regular dealers in medicine, and ought spr it to be. Every person who cells spiriss ought 10 b' held. in degree. responsible for the lives which | shortens; for so he doubtless is morally responsible like the seller of poison. h moral point Of view, is like the selling of indei obscene books; ahs nothing Lai the fact that las been common, prevent considered being accessary the moral corTSpoi oi Ihe community. those who sell the lquo whose probable effect wii be pauperism, increased pense the community, moral depraSiiy, profsaenes' lew duess, and murder, exempt themselves. iH I view of sober reason, from a'ge share of tAe hol responsibility of these evils.
 When speak thus, do not is:end to cast Fe pyoach on many persona. otherwise estimable. wh have been, or may this time De, implicated tn th practices here speci6ed. The whsls com'naniiy hs been ioo deepy asd too recently invOsed inshs sham for any ol tie members De forward ia casting h a ih teeth of others. IanyAs theGe things. they know ns what they do. But that does not after the Ha'ure them, nor make the mischief less. lt is subject regret and the hope Of earing the evil s the osy ja'
 casioa Cor exposing t. All tha is desred is o plac t ia s proper light; aad isis hoped that a will e il in that light.
 In the third place, sUsTy pssssB ssgf e do his s moss ssfirsiy to bsRish spiriss Som cs~as uss. q" eommoa sre6ie. Every thing that good ci'issas me A. ....hs Aa AoSA ham;aia lhae