The Washingtonian., 1845-08-02
From our Correspondent !
ALEXANDRIA, D. c., July 81, 1915.

nLEAANDhlA, ~. Ss, July ols 4otcs
MEssRs. EDITORS: The rum-selling and
drunkard making business assumes again a
fearful aspect, and the hopes Of many parents,
once green, have BEN trampled down by the
iron hoof Of the destroyer, who still stalks
abroad through the community, and none even
DARE an attempt to check his ravages. 1t is
a matter of astonishment to me how men can
look on these sad disclosures with callous
hearts. Ministers Of the Gospel, who should
be the pioneers in this enterprise, are l3ktica,m
and negligent have not heard its doctrines
recommended, or principles enforced, from any
pulpit in our place for several months, aye,
years, past, except from that of the Second
PresbyteriaA, by the Rev. ]. N. DANFoRTH.
Perhaps this delicacy on the part OF the Min
istry arises from the fact, that many members
of their charge are WHOLESALE and RETAIL
dealers in the g Internal stuff" and they dis.
like 10 OFFEND THEM; hence their hideous de-
formitv is concealed, and they are still per-
mit,ed to do their deeds of death without the
rebuke or censure of him 10 whose care is
given the interests of the church and the
world. This inconsistency of the so-called
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, will be revealed 10
them in the light Of eternity; and they will
then see whether or not they are "their broth
er's keeper" or are held responsible for the
destruction of their fellows; and although they
may be very devotional in the church, or before
the family altar, in praying for the extension
of Messiah's Kingdom, and its strong chain TO
bind the world to the throne of God, their
PRACTICE stands opposed to their prayers, and
their inconsistency gives strength to INFIDELI.
Ty: for the destructive tendencies of which
tn ey will be held accountable before that tri-
bunal of righteous retribution. Now it is use
less and unnecessary to meet their spider-web
reasonings--'' that if they did not sell OTHERS
WOULD" (as ifthey would be justified in mur-
dering their neighbors, and taking from them
their property, although they kne,o that some
other person had devised plan and intended
to do the same thing) that they do not
coerce men to BUY or DRINK, and that they
give them fair equivalent for their money"
No; these forced excavations OF their guilt
are too small to be noticed; the time for this
quibbling has gone by; we bring them up to
the principles and bar of JUSTICE. But what
is the equivalent" given? Oh! have fre-
uuently seen it in children's sufering-the
mothers wal-the wife's tear-the widows
sorrow--the torture of delirium tremens, and
all the anguish of mind and pain of body that
can scarcely be conceived.
The "rum shops" are open all day on Sun
day, as usual. have been informed that
there is one situated in one Of our principal
streets, doing crushing business" /" all the
| time, but realizing tremendous profit on the
Sabbath; the probability is that the proprietor
will soon be rich, but his patrons -.-.
On that day they throw out the met" on
both sides of the boat, and they make con-
siderable "haul" sometimes, should Judge,
from the foundering of big and little fish in
the gutter and along the pavement. Where
| is the Temperance community? Fathers
whose sons are rushing forward in their blind
ness to the steep precipice Of ruin, why are
your voices silent, and your exertions not given
to an effort to save them? 1t is high time to
make desperate struggle, to commence a
moral combat for the delhge is widening and
deepening, swallowing up " life and immor.
tally"
| have been told that party of "Teetotal-
ers " from this place, intend making an effort
to establish society at "Custis' School
house, y next Sunday evening week, at 3
o'clock; they would be glad to see delega-
tion from your city, to assist them in this new
enterprise
Yours, truly, .