The Columbian fountain., 1846-10-09

Ihabll9 WhtEn have been Overlooked Or geniiy
rebuked. Al length. unable to check himself
10 his downward career. he becomes bloaled,
dis6gured and diseased AN object Of con,emp,
abroad, and OF shame aud anguish al home
How many, who once promised much, about
whose fortune, hopes gathered thick,
Like blossoms on bough Of May"
have fallen into early and dishonored graves,
becauae they had not the frmness 10 resist the
invitation to partake of inebrialing drinks
II is an awful crime to tempt weak man 10
sin! Itis no easy task to paint the guilt of
one, who, acquainted with the infirmity of his
friend, yet persuades and lures him TO his
ruin. Imagine, for momenr, a home made
cheerless and dark by reason OF the wretched
habits of father. The wife is pale, sad, heart
broken. The children are ragged, perhaps
hungry and cold. They had once known brigh-
ter days and finer fortunes Then, the father,
on returning from his daily pursuits, caressed
them, and they received their mothers smiles.
Flowers were green about the porch, and radi-
ant hope gided the future. But, alas! the ia
ther has become drunkard. Poverty has
crept into the abode where abundance was
once found, and the mother looks on her chill
dren, and weeps. Waking up as from
hideous dream, he resolves to reform, and is
encouraged and sustained by those who have
made solemn averment never to touch ardent
spirits. +, The scene is al once changed, and his
home begins TO brighten. The smile again
revisits the face of his wife; his children buoy
ant and full Of Joy, run TO meet him as he re-
turned from the labors OF the day. Seated
amidst this group at the cheerful evening meal,
he lifts his fearful eyes TO heaven, and thanks
God that he is once more sober man.
Who would disturb scene like this Who
would serpentlike, enter the bowers of Eden,
TO bring blight upon its fruits and flowers,
to those who are nobly engaged in the great
and patriotic work Of arresling the scourge-
the national scourge, which has spread wall
ing and famine in its sweeping course, and bias.
ted SO much happiness, intellect and fame.
We should reflect that intemperance, not
only destroys domestic peace, but is fatal to
political institutions. We occupy grand and
lofv position. We are engaged in carrying
OF lorious experiment, not for the good OF
ou ulyes only; but for the lasting welfare OF
mankind. The cherished hopes Of the world
are clinging around our free constitution. From
the battle field, where liberty has struggled and
bled in all ages, there comes up TO US an appeal
TO be faithful, 10 the high trust committed to
our care by Providence.
We are emphatically free people. No
throne is erected in our midst, either to smile
or frown upon US by the grace Of God.' No des
pothand can holdasceptre here. Uponno brow
does glittering diadem rest, in this proud Re
public. The people--the masses, are the source
Of power, aud constitute the real sovereignty
They form the broad and deep foundations Ui
our Government. 8a f4
We see, then, it is essential to the purity of
our government, that the people should be
pure. Let them continue enlightened and yir-
| tuous, and our blessed institutions will spread
their happy influence over the whole earth.
The Republics Of ancient times had their
bright and solid virtues; but they gave way at
last under corrupt influences which they failed
to resist, History takes us to Athens, and
pointing TO the broken marble columns which
once adorned that world-renowned city, bids
us learn the deeply impressive lesson of the
vanity OF human glory. Rome once sent her
conquering eagles throughout the world, and
spread her empire so wide that il seemed 10
defy convulslons, and the ravages of time
every vestige Of her ancient glory has depart
ed, except the fragments of architectural skill
that lie in confusion about her once imperial
streets, and the few splendid works of her ora,
tors and scholars, which have survived the
wreck Of her military power. Our country
looks forward TO a brighter and happier desti-
ny; and it will be fully realized, if we prove
true to ourselves. We are thrice blest with
Christianity. It's purifying, enllghiening, and
ennobling influences are diffued throuhhoul
our expanded borders The church, and the
school house, are not confined TO our cities and
towns. They spring up in the plains and in
the wilderness; and the forest hears not only
the ring of the woodman's axe, but the school
boys merry laugh, and the Christians song Of
praise.
| For US, then, the future is full Of anima,ing
and glowing hope. A people, thus favored
and exalted, will raise their children to tempe
rance, and a manly, virtuous, race will over
spread this vast continent. The peaceful
plains will smile with verdure; the hills will
be vocal with gladness; our commerce will
| stretch its white sails over the Atlantic and the
Pacific oceans; and this great Republic, en-
lightened and happy, will stand out before the
eyes the whole world, teaching mankind the
sublime lesson Of selfgovernment, and invt-
ing all the nations of the earth to assume the
/ ,ohla att,n,do nT froopnoc HN #E Ht 4H'