Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-05-30
MISCELLANY.
For the Waterman and Journal.
INTEM


1t is easy TO speak against the vice OF intemper-
ance, because it is popular to do so. Whatever
else may have been accomplished i'm the recent
temperance reformation, it has not rendered the
peaslIy haDlt OF MODIFICATION more odious, or more
contemplate in the public mind. There is some
thing so revolving to our natural feelings in the
bare idea OF rational being voluntarily diyest-
ing himself of his reason and his intellect and
humbing himself to level with the brutes. that
1t requires long course of familiarity with such
scenes 10 reconcile ourselves to their practice
Were not the habhs of intemperance acquired by
long ana constant practice, were not their ap-
proaches gradual SLOW, but alas too sure, it would
be entirely unnecessary TO decaim against them !;
Tor the individual cannot be found, who is naur-
ally so corrupt, so degraded and lost to all the f.
ner Feelings oil our nature, as with one fell swoop,
10 plunge himself into state OF utter wretched-
ness uLd ruin, leaving behind im all mat can rem
der lille desirable health, completeness, character
happiness, and last, though by no means the least
the vigur OF an Immortal mind. The approach of
inlemperanco is like the approach ofa thief in the
night. Slow aud cautious in lis movements, subt-
lie and pleasing in ig advances, II comes, when we
are leu> aware OF lis approach aud tIIngies in
the festive throug, adding new life ind hariV 10
lis enjoyment aud seemingly cemehtiug in stron
ger ties lie bonds ui its union and its friendship
Little do the youth Imagine in their simplicity
that nemperance is ut haud--thal this is the road
thousands have lrod before them in their Journey
to despair Could they perceive, and perceive
plainly, the precipico on which they stand, would
they, think you, Iaugh AT the danger which threat
ems them, and needless OF admOnltion md the ma
ny sad lessons of eXperience which have been read
to them continue 10 tread those paths in which so
many have been destroyed before them? No. The
love oil happiness Us natural to all men, but we are
oaptto seek II where nature has never placed II in
the unlawful qualification of our appelites and pas.
SONS. who wishes to be drunkad? What young
FrnnfIn tho Mt i'll
and honor placed before HIM, is ambitious of the
honor OF filling drunkards grave? Can one be
FOUND, who IN his calm aud sober moments wish
es 10 "trainple brute-llke on each flower" which
Hod am nature has strewed within his path ? Not
one. Why then so many such instances To
be found That such is tile fact we must how
ever reluctantly, admir-, nor can the fact exist in
dependent OF a reason. The fact can be acco,In
TED Tor only on the supposton that man is ant to
form an incorrect estimate of human happiness
or OF the sources from whence il NAV be obtain
ell. ny neglectlng to make the enquiry, In ,chat
does happiness consist man has rendered him
self criminally gully. We cannot consep, IN the
oeIef mat man wishes TO be miserable nature
insllnctlvey shudders at the idea but we must
AUNT that man often adopts that course of con-
uuct, Inc only tendency OF which Is towards the
gates OF hell We can account for il only nv as
crlblRg the cause TO ignorance wilful and Grimm
al ignorance. What il is u mans duty 10 know
criminal III his ignorance. Unlike the brutal Gre
1ion, man is blest with intellectual powers the
foundation OF his happiness must be there fixed
and established, or he becomes in fact what The
theory OF Atheism declares him TO be. a compan-
ION ioI brules." Ii is ignorance of this truth,
Whch iinpels the sensuaisI to follow the huunts
OF dissipation and debauchery in search OF happi-
ness It is ignorance OF The danger of lurking on
me porders OF iniemperance which has led ,nnnv
an unsuspecling youth to march, before he WINS n
ware OF being IN the neighborhood OF vice, bold
ly to its capitol. ~
Every nan who has been once intoxicated, felt
determined that his first lesson in this s,hoai
should be his last. The vilest drunkard thai can
now be found can remember the time when Le
had no expectation, and certainly 10 irten,ion Of
ever being reduced TO his present condiion
When indulgng himself with his temperate glass
had some kind friend whispered 10 him Of his
danger, he would have regarded the caution as an
insult. lie felt as secure, as much confidence in
his own powers to resist temptation, as the orou.
des. OF us can now feel. Let me ask the TEMPER
ate drlnker, where is your security? Will YOU
say thnt you are safer So too said he VIII Won
say Tint you have too much independence o(mind
10 suffer your reason to be lost and drovnod Lv
the cravings of Yitiated appetite? He TOO could
once boast us independent inind as proud snir
II, and character rs unspOtted from The world ms
the proudesl OF you all, aud YET he now is dead 10
every sense oil shame, and totally deaf TO every
reproof OF conscience. Let me ask the fond aud
affectlonate a'her who both by precept aud ex.
ample, recommends to his children the fem
perale Use OF intoxicating liquor, is there not, al
least, some danger That some OF your sons may
sustain the character of drunken aud Worthless
vagabond' Are they more vIruous, and more
secure from the danger of temptation Than thou
sands OF others who have fallen into The snare,
ana nave become the terror of their families and
'"e s"aoe' Inc disgrace, Of their friendsi r. d.