The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-08

who need no tavern, and who resort thither from
idleness, from love Of excitement, or from beast
ly appetite.
Go into any town, and abide for few days at
one of those marts OF alcoholic temptation
Mark the men who from day 10 day enter the
ever-open doors. Some are there for hours,
some at frequent intervals; some are maudling
by the crate or stove, others are hanging about
the porch You have before you the represen-
tative Of the incidence the loquacity, the un-
thrift, the misunderstanding, and the insolvency
of the place. Is there one of them who drives
handsome business Is there one Of them
who wears his own earnings on his back2 Not
one. Is there one of them who is reputed for
philanthropy, public spirit, or successful talent,
in any department. Not one. Is there any one
of them who enjoys the alertness, the clear
spirits and the rosy hue Of health2 Not one.
That increasing plethora and sluggish growth is
not the sign of strength The cheek is fabby
and the hand is soft That redness of the eye
and nose is not the color Of genuine health
That shipper and that laugh are not the gaiety
which irradated the face before the tavern be-
came shrine.
All if that bar-room could be adjured TO tes-
tify il those books, redolent Of brandy and spot
ted with the marks Of many tumbler, could
be put 10 the question: il, after every name, you
could read the history Of the drunkards who
have dropped off one by one, how would the
hideous revelation scare the very sot from his
swinish indulgence! The spell, however, is
not broken, because the true Lethe is ever nigh.
The first twinge OF conscience Is quieted by
brandy and water. Hence il is that the tavern
hunter is so often hopeless. He drinks till he
feels himself half ruined; he is wretched he
drinks to drown his wretchedness he does
drown it. and his soul along with il. Oh hap
less youth before such Re your fate break away,
by sudden, an agonizng effort, or you swell
the list of victims.
The brandy house and home are antagonist
powers-deadly foes irreconcileable rivals. If
you wish to embltter mans home, and break
his young wife's heart, introduce him to the bar
ROOM Grant all you please of attraction at
home, the drinking place will have more. Has
he virtuous, sensible, notable, comey, loving
wife, and endearlng babies. No matter. His
leisure hours are not for them, but for the loun-
gers at the bar and porch. He will feign bust
ness, or anxiety for news, or the expectation OF
customer, or any one of thousand pretexts,
to take him and to keep him there. There he
is, at noon and at hight, and on the Sabbath
Until habit has steeled him, he sneeks thither.
Grown holder, he becomes fixture to the es-
Enlistment Every drinking place has its reti-
nue. of attendants, known TO every passer-by,.-
The tavern sign is not more familiar than the
tavern suffers. Homeless creatures! each of
whom in some bright or humble sphere, might
have b, en- enjoying such innocent delight,
around the domestic altar, as could make this
world type of Paradise!
To young men, beginning life-especially to
newly married men, the counsel is seasonable
REVERENCE THE FIREsIDE Admit no rival here.
Let your chief joys be shared by her who has
forsaken all other hearts and hopes for you-by
those who must inherit honor or disgrace from
your course of life. Shun the bar-room and
purlieus of intoxicaton. IL is TO thousands the
avenue to infamy. Help to rid those industrious
men who preside over public houses, and sue
cumb to the sad necessity Of leading sober men
into drunkenness, and drunkards into despair
help to rid them Of this unpleasant part of their
office. They protest their grief for these results.
wash their hands of the horrible stain. x.