Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-12-25

Be assured am,
most aflcctionately, yours.
From the Newark Daily Advertiser.
THOUGHTS AFTER ELECTION.
FOR YOUNG WORKING MEN.
The heats of clection-time arc over, and
We think it might be well for US to look about
US for something with which to occupy the
minds of our restless population. During
the long winter evenings our working men
need something to take the place ofthe calcu-
lations, the arguments, the wagers, and the
wordy war, about Van Buren, and Harrison.
We have had our pagcants, our beacon fires,
our salutcs, and our treats: il Is time to sit
down to the quiet cnjoyments of the season.
And a blessed season it is after ALL
Spring, summer and autumn have each their
appropriate delights, and these are mostly
enjoyed under the blue heavens, and in the
balmy air: but winter, cheerful winter, is
the time for indoor comforts, the quest of
knowledge and the flow of affection. They
may talk of May,-but who does not know
that the mutual attachments Of young hearts
put forth their claspng tendrls most Justify
between Thanksgiving Day and the return
Of the Blue Birdl Now, when ruddy fires
begin to throw their dancing flames over the
snug sitting room; when the piping of the
wind tells how close the house is; when Jack
Frost drives the rosy children to wantOn
about the fathers knee, or roll half asleep
upon the rug; now is the time when the
working man, who has that best of earthly
gifts, wife, ard abundance of little olive
branches about his table, learns fully what is
meant by the happy syllable, HOME.
The rivals of our Home are many and
fearful. Among the dilest is the drinking.
place, whether known as pOrtcr-house, grog-
shop. or tavern. The man who spends his
evenings in these stygian fumes, soon grovels
and wallows away half his civilizations
Where ought he 10 be, but by his own warm
Preside, rewarding his wife for the solitary
labors and vcxations of the day, and receiv-
ing on his own part those cheap but invalua-
4 bile pleasures, which are as much above the
delirium and ribaldry of the bar room, as the
= light ofday is above the glimmer ola dipped
= candle. am no enemy to tavern-keepers
They are useful class ofmcn. Their Offices
Of kindness to the stranger and the traveller
ought to be remembered and repaid, but they
ought likewise TO be freed from the horrible
cnormi.es which proceed from their phial.
of madness and death. The worst effects Of
i'll conducted taverns are felt, not by the
way-faring man, for whose ehoof the inn j,
Instituted, but by the throng Of villagers and
neighbors, who have, or who ought to have
homes oftheir own, who need no tavern, who
resort thithcr from idlencss, from love O
excitement, or from beastly appetite.
Go into any town, and abide for few
days at one of these marls of alcoholic temp.
tation. Mark the men who from day to da,
enter the cver-open doors. Some are there
for hours, some at frequent intervals; som.
are maudlin by the crate or stove, other.
are hanging about the porch. You have be.
f fore you the representatives Of the Incidence
the loquacity, the unthrift, the mischief-ma
/ king, and the insolvency of the place. l.
there one of them who drives handsome bu
t sincss2 Is there one of them who wears hi
own earnings on his back? Not one. |.
there one of them who is reputcd for philan.
thropy, public spirit, or successful talent, II
any department Not one. Is there one
ofthem who enjoys the alcrtncss, the clea
spirits, and the rosy hue ofhcalth? Not one
That increasing plethora and sluggish growth
is not the sign Of strength. The cheek i,
habby and the hand is soft. That rcdncss o
/ the eye and nose is not the color of genuine
health. That shipper and that laugh are no
the gaycty which irrtated the face befor,
the tavern became shrine.
All! Ifthat bar-room could be adured t.
testify, il those books, redolcnt of brand,
|, and snOitpd with tho m rk of manv "a tumhlor
could be put to the question; it, after every
name, you could read the history of the
drunkards who droped Off one by one, how
would the hidcous revelation scare the yer,
sot from his swinish indulgence! The spell
however, is not broken, because the true
Lethe is ever nigh. The first twinge of con-
science is quietcd by brandy and water
Hence it is, that the tavcrn-hunter is so otter
hopeless. He drinks till he feels himself
haf-ruined; he is wretchcd he drinks te
drown his wrctchedncss he does drown it
and his soul along whit. Oh hapless youth
! before such be your fate break away, by {
sudden, an agonizing effort, or you swell The
list of victims.
, The brandy-house and home are antago.
mist powcrs-deady foes, irrcconcilable RI
} walls. II you wish to embitter 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 a virtuous, sensible,
notable, connolly, loving wife, and cndearing
babies? No matter. His leisure hours ~
not for thom, but for the loungers at tho
and porch. He will feign business, or anxiS.
~ for ncws or tho cyOectatiOn of a customer.