The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-30

your correspondent, and all the alcohol mer-
chants, to know that we intend to hold
them, Tor a short time, to that single point,
real iooe OF country Mr.. b. is hurt at the
fact that argument demonstrates makers and
vendors Of Intoxicating drinks to be want
ing In true patriotism. We do not design
to wound gentlemen's feelings, not at all /,
but II the truth causes them to vince, that
will not subject us to just censure. We
wish to convince them that they are de-
ceiyed, if they think they are friends Of
their country, and, at the same time, en-
gagged in traffic so maniiesty injurious to
the nation. II, however, we ourselves
should be at fault in our pleadings, Mr.
b. will render us a most important service
il he will put us ssrectus in curla." We
are anxious to know the truth that we may
be as free from error as our condition Of
humanity will allow in this specializing
world. My friend, Mr.. b., may be strong
reasoner; but we shall be excused if we
say we have no strong evidence of his logi-
cal powers in his recent flourish. lie can
declaim and make strong assertions. He
must not be offended if we whisper him
that strong assertions and strong arguments
are not precisely the same things here in
the District Of Columbia. Gentlemen do
not like to be told that they are wanting in
lore Of country. No, they do not, but they
like to sell e liquid damnation,'' to ssmake
money!" while it ruins thousands of their
fellow-citizens; and then wish the better
men Of the nation to be such dupes as to
consider them real lovers Of their country!
We do not say that all who deal in that
killing article are Of the above stamp. No:
many OF them are now conscience smitten,
and will soon abandon the guilty traffic.
Nor do we say that any of the gentlemen
who are selling ardent spirits are entirely
sensible Of the great evil Of the practice.
We have better opinion of our country
men than to suppose they would do this
great evil if they were fully aware Of the
mischief they are doing. II is no uncom-
mon thing for men to remain in error for ii
long time, and think themselves in posses
sion Of the truth, until they become con
vinced of their mistake. A man may think
himself quite learned, when, in truth, he is
not-a man may imagine that he is liberal,
when, in fact, he is real miser. A man
may even conclude that he is pious, when,
in reality, he is deceived. And may not
man think he is patriot, and, at the same
time, be mistaken
We wish to reason with our makers and
venders Of intoxicating liquors. We will
try the excellence Of the cause Mr. B. pleads
for by the following argument:
First position.-Any intelligent man who
defends the cause Of truth, will not substi-
tute defamation, flourish, assertion, threat,
fire and flame, for logic.
Second positaon.-Mr. B. is an mtelli-
gent man, and he has substituted in his de-
fence, defamation, Sc, for logic.
Conclusion.-Therefore, the cause he de-
fends is not the cause Of truth.
IL the premises are true, the conclusion
must also be true. Am mistaken in sup
posing Mr.. B. TO be an intelligent man
Y ou see that take it for granted in the ar
gument that b. is sincere IN his opposition,
and that he did the best he could Truth
is better than error. Why will Mr.. B. or
any Of the whiskey brotherhood persist in
error when they might find the truth if
they would only become seriously thought
full, and reflect but littleo Is it indifier-
ence? Is it selt-lovei Is ii love of money!
Might it not possibly be one, or all Of these
1t is not for me to say but some have said
it 'right out.n There is certainly no ne
cessity for self-deccption. We can see the
truth, unless we have defective eyes, or have
some dense body between the eye and the
truth. The truth shines: SO do gold and
silver. Some persons have been so bold as
to say that these substances get between the
eyes of some gentlemen and the truth.
Messrs. Editors, suppose you try our friend
b. next time you see him-write the word
truth on piece Of paper, and ask him to
read it-hold it up to his bright eye.-he
reads it very readily. Now hold dollar
between his eye and the word--he says he
cannot see il. What is the difficulty The
word truth is there; yes, but the dollar is in
the way /; il obstructs his vision 0, is that
ALL Well, ! remember now that ! have
heard old people say that dollars were very
much in the way sometipies in searching
for the truth Truth is worth more than
dollars. II is much better to find the truth
and lose the dollars dlan to lose the truth
and find the dollars.
Love Of country is better than gold.
Will pairiot, for the sake Of filthy lucre,