Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-03-16
TEMPERANCE ADDRESS.

ance society, Muncietown, Indiana, OF
the 2ed. Of February, by DR.. 4. H. Kennedy
MY FRrENDs:-There is an evil abroad in The
world, which has strange and fearful effect upon
the human family. II converts sober. iu,eIigen
men into a state Of being, tho most groveling anc
degraded. II enters the mansion of the rich
steals away the pride and responsibility OF the &C
cupant, and turns him cut poverty stricken and
miserable 1, brea,hes its pes,iientiai breath
upon the peaceful and happy, and soon all peace
and pleasure is at an end. 1t touches the strong
and healthy mar, and s,raght-way, he is neitheI
strong nor hoaithy any more. Young and old
all feel it; for i, brings upon the one, pren,a lure
decrepitude, and carries the other lettering to the
grave In a word; it destroys the heath-ruins
the Observation-Disclosures the mind--emp,Ies the
purse, and makes mankind thoroughly wretched.
Would you know the name of this evil! liz Is
INrEMpERAScE! There is no doub, at all OF the
fact, that the incorporate Of strong drink, Is
the main cause Of crime and disease.
II fills your jails and aims houses with misera-
Bile inmates. II causes many widows tear to
flow, and brings many an aged head IN sorrow TO
the grave.
Is intemperance an evil! Look around IN so
cie,y. and behold its effects. See what Prostra-
ton of intellect, and what falling of from the
dignity of human nature; what utter abandon
ment Of morals and decency; what brutality, It
leads men to.
Let US draw a slight sketch of drunkard
See him seated in a dram shop, with two or three
halo fellows at his side; observe his soiled and
tattered dress, his bloated vsage, and the stupid
glare Of his redeemed eyes, how he hiccnps and
stammers, as he attempts to speak; and 90 but
listen to the foolish and profane words, which
issue from his lips; how sad fool he makes OF
himself He staggers up to the bar, and demands
moro drink, and presently perhaps, you may STUN
bio over him, as he lies senseless and SPRAYING
in the gutter. At home, his poor wife and chill
dren, are destitute and needy. He, to whom
they look for support, has spent, perhaps, his last
cent at the dram shop; his creditors too, are a
bout to visit him by process OF law, and then his
little all, will be gone. His is an extreme case
it is true; but, it is extremity to which con-
firmed drunkard must arrive. IL this then an
evil? What! man an intelligent, lordly creature,
created, in the divine image and gifted with an
soul, thus to blast and throw himself
away. Is it an evila t
But every one has not reached this melancholy ,
there grades in tho system OF In r
temperance. First;-Is the occasional tppler. S
who takes glass now and then with friend, in c
token of good fellowship; he thinks il no harm, t
md at all events, regards il as right. lie has n
no particular fondness for the drink, and he par
lakes only because others do SO, il is customary. n
Then comes your temperate drinker; he new fl
,r known 10 be drunk, but when grocery,
10 drops in and takes glass. He does this "sol-
tary and alone.' and consequently, from grow
ng fondness for whskey. The next variety OF
ntemperance is seen in your morning dram TEL q
ows. They rise early and wend their way TO %
he drink establishment. This class Of drinkers, ,
consider upon fair road to ruin; though per- :.
,aps they may not themselves suspect It. Moth !,
NO brings on the incurable habit, soon and so g.
this indulgence upon an empty 4
tomach. Drinking whiskey before breakfast. 81
will manufacture drunkard in tho shortest posi- ;,
lie given time. This practice evinces two very "
sarful steps. First-a love Of strong drink, and :,
econdly, crav ing Of tho stomach for the slim -
Illus. c;
II is not possible, short lecture TO pre- ii
end to follow the incorporate man, through all if
he gradarions Of his improper cause. Exper- re
snce however, shows, and can amply testify to ii
he fact that all the several steps Of drinking h,
rams progress, but SO many stages of the IN
.me complaint. / do not mean TO say, that eve te
= man who takes glass now and then or even tn
Q who drinks moderately, Temporarily sup 81
ose it is caled) will Of certainty become sot liz
his 10 not true, for many, in other respects ca
orthy men, drink moderately, all their lives. ST
ithout serious injury. But whence arc drunk to
IDS manufactured? Is it not from your class of nc
mpernte drinkerss Certainly, for he who tn
ouches not, tastes not, handles noi," cannot be &C
danger at all. Therefore, do say, that every mi
unkard, no matter how low and degraded, has ar
ssed through all the several steps and stages OF
temperance, to reach his wretched extremity of
hat poor, pitiable being, who lies stretched IN err
Q gutter, tho victim of vilo and runous habit, Nc
- once a respectable and useful man, and no ms
ubt looked upon the sin Of drunkenness, with vo
much adherence as any ofus. But how came ote
, in his present situation? Was it suddenly in
,gls plungsi No. 1t was gradual. First, he sor
ought il nothing wrong, to taIe customary Hs
nix Of whiskey; then came the indulgence,