Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1842-04-12
INTEMPERANCE.


to show the cause and also the effects of intenpcr.
@nee. We may in some degree attribute it to our
ancestors, who not being aware of the evils and
miseries they were bringing upon their offspring,
would instil into their minds when young the per-
nicious practice ofdrinking alcohol; telling them
the good which would arise from it: and thus lead
ing them on from one step to another, until their
appetite for alcoholic drinks had become strong
and they being habituated to it by the instruction
which they received from their parents; it seems
to them that if they abolish that which their faith
ers had so unanimously sanctioned, it would pro-
duce instant death Being deluded by the fanat-
clsms and far-fetched imaginations of of their
predecessors, they drank and continued to drink
until they found themselves buried in the vortex
of ruin.
| Why is it we so often see the brightest orna-
ment in society, so often dgraded 1t is because
he is SO great favorite to the intoxicating bowl
Why is it we so often see the broken hearted moth
er clothed in sadness, wearing the countenance of
sorrow, now and then tear of anguish starting
from her eyes, and all her features seeming almost
ready for the grave2 Ask her what it is, and she
will tell you tale of intemperance Why is it
we so often hear the cries ofthe athcrless and see
them clothed with the apparel of povety, and their
whole frame bearing witness of some dreadful ca
lamiy which has befallen them9 1t is this. it is
because King Alcohol, that monster, which has
so long travelled the earth with uneuualed randi
ity, laying waste its thousands and tens of thou
sands annually, has at last made his approach and
taken from them their much beloved father to helm
fill out the drunkards burial ground. Why is it
we find our States prisons so generally attended
1t is because king alcohol is their agent; he feeds
them, and makes thfm to drink OF his own sub
stance, by which they are made to commit some
crime against the laws of the land, and then he
sends them there with good recommendation of
being his own followers.
When we take into consideration the ravages of
intemperance-th desolation which it has produce
ed in many family; can we sit down and keep
silence, and say nothing for the cause of temper
ance2 No! Let us arise unitedly, and having the
laws of God on our side, and the best witness of
man, we shall prevail The work has already
commenced the dark cloud which so long hung
over the city of Baltimore led them to believe that
the vengeance of the Almighty was gathering in
one black mass, fearful as midnight darkness which
had so long rested upon that place, in the shape Of
drunkenness And thinking it about to burst up
on them, for their ungodlness, were terrified and
struck with wonder. But no, it stood stationary,
for short space, until it saw king alcohol was
overthrown and Temperance stood predominant,
then thrill of joy run through the whole city
the hills and mountains seemed to partoke in their
happiness, re-echoing back their hallcluiahs for
fhnc rroIo Tatlo.
their Creator with hearts of thankfuness, for the
great work which he had commenced; and their
children were heard warbling out their notes of
praise to the God of wonders for his great bles-
sings for removing the dark Cloud ominous of
some great evil and placing in its stead the bright
harbinger of better times.
Would that we could hear the drunkard ex-
claiming, Oh ! intemperance thou destroyer of
mems souls; how long have l trusted to your
honesty How long have stood an advocate
for theel How much have | sacrafced for the ad-
vancement of thy cause? How great has been my
negligence towards my family; how much misery
has my Incorporate habits occasioned and all all
for thee intemperance The fair prospects with
which l was fattered, are all blasted Utter ruin
and the deepest distress attends mel But is there
no remedy2 Must remain in my present posi-
ton? How shall escape from the net in which
l was so easily entangled2 Would that we could
hear his voice, saying, will do my duty
will sign the pledge of total abstinence; which l
am confident will relieve me from all that fiery
thirst for alcohol-free me from all the appetite
for that poisonous drug, which have so long held
as most intimate friend, and which be one will
step, in pursuance of that never fading crown of
glory, which lies in store for those holy beings
who are to remain with God Remember re-
member that there is that 9oeth about in bot
ties, seeking who he may devour, and who he
can deceive" 1t is not expected believe by any,
that those who are now drunkards will, many of
them reform but it is expected that those who are
now coming upon the stage action, will see the
great evils resulting from 1t, and therefore let it a.
lone and if so they do, it will not be long before
the last funeral knell of the drunkard will sound
: and let him be buried: cover him with the clods
of the valey-erect him tombstone, and let it
hear the inscrintion here lies io{.,gpsro,,e. Tho