Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1842-01-29

/
| time afterwards.
| REMARKS OF Col. II. w. DWIGHT
AT THE MASS. MEETING MIDDLETON,
CONN
The President introduced to the meet
ing Colonel Dwight, Of Stockblidge, dis
tingushed lawyer and Senator in Con;
gress, whose we'll known talents would
have elevated him permanently TO the
highest posts in our country; had it not
been for that "mocker" wine.
Mr.. Dwight spoke Of the causes and
effects of in.empaee.nce. "Many," said
he, begin to drink or continue the prac.'
tice, under the impression that intoxica~
ting liquors are good for them. They
use tho article 10 warm them when hey
are cold, TO cool them when they are
hot, to restore them when they are sick,
and 10 prevent disease when they are we'll.
They suppose it makes tho brave man
Drawer, the strong man stronger; that 1t
gives wings to the Imagination oil the Po-
ct and orator; that it is panacea tor the
ills OF mans body and mind, and an ln'
centive to great and virtuous deeds. But
they are mistaken. Alcohol is poison.
! 1t enerya,es the power Of man, and pre-,
pares him for the worst Of crimes. Two
hundred years ago, Sir Matthew Hale
attributed to this cause two tiiths OF oil
the crimes committed in England. y IS
much worse now. There is now coming
at 1.-THE amount Of misery and vice which
flows from this source. am not exag-
Grating the evil. If you knew halt that
know you would see that exageratlon
is impossible. In some countries the OPP
pressed people resort to the bowl to
drown their Affections. But how shall
account cor'the conductlof mycountrymen,
blessed as they are with an abundance OF
the bounties Of Providence, and treads
ing free soil7 We are without excuse
We see the destructive influence OF the
habit on every side. The noble Indian,
who regarded Columbus as a god, and
brought to him the corn and potatoe, the
first ever seen by Europeans, what did
no receive for his kindnesss The BoTTrL.
And where is he! Before this destroyer
he was wasted away until he is nearly
extinct. Tho whole land has suffered un-
der this scourge. The whole world suffers
lin England 10000 persons die annually
of Drunkenness; in France, 30O,000i in
this country, $4,000. Who can contem-
plate this havoc OF life and happiness
without tears! What multitudes wept
for their kindred who fell q! Waterloo!
But alas what multitudes fall in the bat
tie Of Alcahol! how many hearts are
wrung with anguish at the sight! But
aid is coming. America shall be free
from this tyrant. Shall it be said that
the sons Of the Puri'a ans are slave to ap-
petite? Behold the drunkard! To what a
depth Of infamy he has fallen! Yet he
will tell you Of his freedom and rights,
He'll make no pledge, lest it should a.
bridge his liberty! lie says he Jean make
the pledge 10 himelf; yet in the hour oil
temptation he claims he has a right to
break his promise because he made It to
himself and about himself. He drinks
and thinks he has q RICH to drink. He
drinks on public and social occasions; ne,
drinks alone believing he is doing himself
service. But who shall describe his
wretchedness and infamyj What can be
done to rescue him! 1t is q true remark
MADE Dy ONO Vi tHO SPSuASAS 1850
cause must be carried forward by the
power Of sympathy. Kindness is the on>
efficient instrument OF success. Hence
the powerful Influence Of the female sex.
The wife saves the unbelieving husbanp
and so does she the offending sinner. 1t
is the wife, the mother, the sister, TO whom
the lost Of our sex are indebted Tor tnefr
recovery from incorporate habits. we
therefore ask them TO come to our aid; 10
Join our society, not for their own sakcs
but for ours. There is ~ no such thing
as drunken woman. Her sex can do
moro towards saving US than all other in
fluences combined.
81 find that the time assigned TO me has
nearly elapsed, and others more able
than myself are waiting to address you.
therefore will only add that the pledge
should be signed by all. 1t is a bond OF
strength and security. While we stand
alone. we are like single reed, broken
! bv the slightest breeze; but united by q
piedae to each othor, we are able 10 resist
, every assault. l defy man to break a
pledge made before such crowd OF wit
nesses. And why should we continue to
drink that which poisoned our3 first moth
er's veins! She ate the fruit, and we,
with similar madness, drink the decor
ton"