The Columbian fountain., 1845-11-11
COLUMBIAN FOUNTAIN, No, III.

many who have read them, feel thankful
TO kind Providence for so sweet fountain,
under the command Of Temperance and
business men of this District. They not
only salute it with all Hail but the cry con-
tinues-Long live the Fountain, to pourforth
its healing, instructing, refreshing, and saving
influence among the inhabitants Of this Dis
trict, and other portions Of our happy land
thus throwing into the great and general de-
pository Of useful Observation-Disclosures in
teresting and Observation-Disclosures which, if
investigated with desire to know and do
right, cannot fail to exert moralizing infu-
ence in the community.
WHAT NEXT,
The argument we promised in our last,
to show the traffic in all intoxicating drink
to be used as beverage, is wrong, and that
the community ought not to tolerate it. Well,
then, it is fact that needs no proof-every
one admits it-that drunkenness is crime.
That it has been source Of great evil in
every respect. If we take it in relation to
the subject itself, what sad picture it pre-
sents man debased and ruined in all his
best interest for time, and without hope for
eternity. Look at the relation he sustains,
and influence he exerts, the consequences
growing out of his relations and influence.
Turn to broken-hearted woman, to distressed
and orphaned children, to injured creditors,
to ruined families, to empty houses, that
were once the peaceful, comfortable dwell
lings Of prosperous, wealthy, and happy
families; lands, and tenements frequently
all taken from the children of those, who bv
industry, sobriety, and frugality, had gath
cred something for their children-look at
paupers-look at the aims houses-look at
the crimes-look at the prisons-look at the
penitentiaries-look at the wrecked yes
sels-look at defeated armies.-look at con-
tentions, falsehoods, robbery, murders-and
in fact, list of evils to numerous to men
ton; but, which, must be admitted, to have
originated in consequence of drunkenness
look at the PLACE Of execution-how many
hearts are made to bleed-how many tears
are wrung; and it might be more tolerable
if this anguish and sorrow was only felt by
the poor guilty (but to be pitied) individual,
whose appetite has led him where he is now
found, with his insensibllity or horror-but
this is not the end, the thing does not ter
inmate here1-the virtuous are made to feel,
made to suffer, made to pay. The whole
community is made to feel, to suffer, and to
pay in proportion to the extent of the mise
ries connected with drunkenness. These
are selfevident facts, that need nothing but
careful perusal of the history to bring them
home with force to every lover of humanity.
Well, if they be so, why introduce them
here--because, upon admitted facts, we wish
to bring before you other facts, which you
may not have admitted; because you have
not yet examined them; but which, when
you examine, will appear as self-evident as
those to which we have briefly alluded.
Now for there we go-follow us-watch
us---detect us if you can in not using good
sound reason. Well, we ask you these ques-
tions-answert them if you please l. Do you
think any man would ever become drunk
ard without using Intoxicating drinks q
Do you believe that all men can drink and
not become drunkards 3. Has any man
become drunkard without first becoming
moderate drinker? A. Can all moderate
drinkers, if they continue to drink, have an
assurance that they will not become drunk
ards 7 S. Do you believe that total absti-
nence from all intoxicating drinks is sure
and safe course' 6. Do you believe that, if
this course was adopted by the whole com
munity, that the general health would be
impaired Would the whole community be
as likely, ormore SO, to discharge all the OBJ
legations resting upon them in the various
relations they sustain each to the other
Would the condition of all be improved by
the adoption of the Total Abstinence princi-