Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-05-28
TEMPERANCE IN IREL AND.

The history of the last year affords no sight on
which the eyes Of the phllanhropist rest with more
delight than the high upshoong of the tree Of Virtue
among the pcats and boys Of Ireland. Men OF calm
slow reflection, who look with dstrust upon what.
ever reform oustrps their own estimate OF means and
ends gaze upon the mighty work which has been
there accomplished in wonder and admiration; the
mouths Of cold scoers are stopped the heart OF the
lover of Man is choercd; and pure, calmly burning
light streams heavenward from the land which was
before full of darkness, cruelty and blood. Ireland
has been, but recently the home Of beasty sottsl-
ness, of poverty and crime; she is the abode of
temperance, of peace and of plenty.
No deeper degradation of the soul be conceived
than the complete mastery of Man hy base appetite
that sense which has been given to us only IN COM
mon with the lowest. vilost, least honored crea-
lures of the Universe should obtain entire dominion
the mind and heart-should blot out the light OF
reason, scar the conscience deaden and destroy the
best affections, and lead ali that is manly and gener
within captive at its will surely is depth
ofinfamy and shame from which the veriest slave
might shrnkin aflrghted adherence. The ruin which
it brings is not dreadful than the shame which
it involves. Mans best dignity, his sound Judgment
his selfrespect his hearts treasure of affection, his
peace, safety ambition, happness-a that makes the
light of heaven pleasant sold for the base delight IN
which beast,may share There can be no lower
Deep into which an individual may plunge.
| Two years ago, Ireland was nation Of such drunk
ards The bright genius of her Sons was darkened,
was almost blotcd ont by the foul presence Of this
blasting fend the warm enthusiasm of her children
the rich affection of the Irish heart, the swelling love,
the generous manly pride, all were sacrificed to ap-
pease its appetite and the whole nation laid down in
the deep stupor out to arise in the mad fury of lntem-
perance. There crime had its citadel loyalty faith
and love fled from its borders the tears of wives and
helpless children flowed fast in agony and the whole
nation seemed sunk rrss9veroby into the region ,S Of
simple eloquence of one man could persuade these
millions to break their bonds and stand free from the
,hrnldon which for so long time had held them, in
the dust! How are all the calculations of the sobeI
judgmcnt-he reasonings of him who would 60 for
ward cautiously and udicously in the work ofreforn
disappointed and brought TO nought!
In our opinion the cpuses OF THIS mighty reforma
ton to be looked for partly perhaps, in the un
bounded influence Of the Catholic clugy the vii
of their members, but still more in tie peculiar trait
of the Irish character. Warm hearted, full OF hgl
enthusiasm always earnest and determined IN what
ever they undertake. it needs but one bsld impulse II
so great cause this to give birth tos movcmen
whose extent and results can scarcely b. computed
!. The feeling coquence of Father Matthew spened thel
eyes to the deep degradation into which they ha
fallen his wide spread charities his known devotion
and phianthrophy, gave them confidence II his repre-
sensations, and their own hearts told then that hi
> words true. Their best feelings wcrt aroused
and the very sight of the misery in which they wer
plunged awakened within hem all that WIS mani
: and benevolent. They rushed in thousands to EN-
brace the last hope of redemption from their deep dis
grace and now they are sitting in peace and qaetnes
y clothed and in their right mind. Can any man loo
upon this spectacle of millions redeemed from tn
foul bondage of lntemperance, and not feel renewe
trust IN lne lDOTH power Oh IlaH ONCr dppelltt
= and higher confidence that the day of deliverant
from this widespread curse is at hand
., We know that in quarters the abors OF Fatht
) Mathew are decred: base motives ascrbed
u him. and his whole work is DETAINED as imposure an
U deceit. Wehave no patience with those who thus d.
tcct a semblance of evil in all that is good. We b
# levc their charges false and malicious the bright Il
n cord of Mathews life and deeds is not to be thus din
! med by the skepucs scott But grant the full truth
their aspcrsons yet does not Ireland stand redeeme'
n Is it nothing that million anda half ofmen have bee
raised from the foulest abyss which Earth contain
. and placed upon level with their fellows Is
y. nothing that millions of bruised hearts have been bour
II uptha the flow of tears and Of blood has been sto
ped-that comfort, love, and all the dear delights
IF life have been brought back TO the hearth ston
J. whence the foul demon of Intemperancc had drive
them apparently for ever! Is ii nothing that n
llol grief has been assuagcd-a Nations deep dl
grace wiped out and her hopes restored! If all the
G are TO weigh nothing against the whispers of mali
Y ofhc loud clamors of open, oulmouthed detracto
i then Judgment must have
- fled to british beasts
= Aud men have lost their reason
Bat whatever may be thoughts or the representation
= ofcvl-mndcd men with reference to this unparalle
movement in favor of Temperance its results will r
= main as monument TO the eternal praise OF the SOL
of Ireland, and will continue for long course Of yea
TO shed blessings upon their daily lives. The Gree
" Isle grows grcener bv this fresh oy-glvlng outbur
" TO Virtue and Morality. Her children, who ha'
h ever been characterised by all that noble in intelle
and benevolent in action, have set an example wo
thy the imitation Of the world: they have trodden
the earth the yran appetite that has ever been the
II dcst foe, All stand erect, freed from his Dol
@ dage, and bidding defiance TO his power. Well ma
her Harp sound with veler, more triumphant soni
at this mighty seli-delivcrance! Words are feeble
i express its III Unity, and long alone can full
display It's beneficent results Nep YOrker.