Litchfield enquirer., 1835-03-26

4 skefch ftkcir origin and prOgress in Amer ica.-The object of Temperance Societies is to check the progress of incorporate drinking, as the most prolific cause of ru- inons expenditure guilt, and misery and as presenting most formidable obstacle 10 all moral improvement, and lo the extension of the Kingdom of Christ.
 The means which they employ, PersuG- si0n combined scitk associated example, were first brought 10 bear upon this enormous evil in North America. However simple these means appear, they have effected in that country a change of public opinion and custom, which has awakened the attention of the most distant civilized nations.
 l The first European Temperance Society was established in 1929, by the cxertions of MT. c. w. Carr, at New Ross; in the JtSouth of Ireland and others were formed ia the north of that Island, and in Scotland. < Their principles have been spread with much zeal and perseverance,, and with most cheering success, among the population ot the north of England; Lancashire and l Yorkshire alone, where the earliest efforts were made, containing over 3O,OOO mem- bers.
 < Above four hundred Temperance Soci- cites and Associations have been formed in England, including the interesting isl- ands of Guernsey, Jersey, and Man; the whole comprising, according to the latest returns, more than SO,O00 members.
 Scotland, under the direction the Sig- orous Committee of the Scottish Society, numbers about 400 Societies, anG S4.OOO ! members. In Ireland, notwithstanding numerous disadvantages and difficulties, about 20, ,OO0persons have joined the stand ald of Temperance Societies.
 The Canadas and other distant colonies are known to comprise several thousand members, making total of more than l50,- 900 British subjects voluntarily engaged to abstain from distilled spirits, except as a medicine, and to discourage intempcrance in general. I Temperance Societies arc formed in l Newfoundland, nit Calcutta, and in Van ,l Dieman's Land.
 II The Hottentots in the vicinity of the I Cape of Good Hope, who were thought to I be "' beyond the reach of good example, take lively interest in this reformation ! and the inhabitants of the Society Islands I of the Pacific have formed themselves into numerous and zealous Societies to deliver the nations from the curse ofspirit drinking.
 The King of Sweden, though surround- ud by huBis tIistiiieEs, iIus A e;..il.. .4.s sed his distinct appreciation of Temperance | Societies: and the Grown Prince takes an , active part in their proceedings.
 The Government of Prussia has applied to the New-York State Committee for complete history of the temperance refor- nation, and a sketch of the machinery necessary to be set in motion to enable the Government to establish Temperance So- cieties tbroughont the kingdom of Prussia v
 The quantity of spirits which pay duty for home consumption in this kingdom. has more than doubled within a few past years. According to Parliamentary .re- turns made in 1883, it amounted to 25,- 9S2, ,494 gallons at proof, which, with the addition of one sixth for the reduction oi strength by retailers amounted to Gls,429,- ssl 5s. 1Od.; and this sum does not inc ciude any part of the many millions of gal Ions known to be ilIicitly distilled, or i'm. ported without paying duty.
 < In the neighborhood of our large towns the habit of drinking spirit especially Il found to be the chief source ot misery a. mong the poor. Dram drinking offers t' them ready, though fatal oblivion of the' sorrows and thousands seek refuge Iron distress in this insidious indulgence. whicI obstructs an attempts to afford them sub stantial relief, and bafies exertions for thei moral and spiritual advancement. It des troys domestic happiness, and cuts of al hope of rising by industry and frugaIity te an honest independence.
 The customs of principal towns rapidl, extend to smaller places. Debasing habits of excess in beer drinking too often pre- pare for the cheaper and seadier excite ment of spirits and in many country towns of England. gorgeous gin shops now glare among modest and useful trades, and thrive opon ihe want, and misery, and moral ruin which they spread around them.
 Four-ffihs of all the crimes in our coun- try have been estimated to be committed under the excitement of liquor. During the year 1888. 29, ,s80 persons were taken into custody by the metropolitan police fo' 4 drunkenness alone, not including any of the numerous cases in which assaults or more serious offences have been committed Dn. der the influence ofdrinking and 1t should be observed, that this statement relates only to the suburbs of LondoD, without any cal H.. skn ns.an ode of cases which