The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-11
THE COLUMBIAN FOUNTAIN.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, FEB ls, 1886.

WEDNESDAY MORNlNU, I Ed 10 io4o.
as- We would remind advertisers and others
TO whom it may be convenient, that we have
box at Stot's Drug Store, for the reception
of adye rtisements, &c. for the Fountain.
Any communications left at Edmund f..
Browns Agency office and Commission store,
F street, near Treasury Department, will be
Immediately forwarded 10 US,
One of the great obstacles TO the onward
progress of the cause of Temperance is that
there are so many persons in all the ranks and
walks of life-literary men--ministers OF the
Gospel-men Of wealth, standing, influence,
and high position Gin the worlds estlmatlon)-
men. too, in the humber stations, who ac-
knowledge that Temperance has been produc-
tive of great and many benefits; but who' al
the same time, do not exert themselves ana
use all endeayors to discountenance Inc use OF
intoxicating liquors. There is moral re-
sponsibility resting upon such individuals 10
exert their influence against intemperance,
and il is a sin OF omission which they will be
held accountable for il they neglectit it. They
remain inactive, when, by exer,ipg themselves
in the cause Of Temperance, and adding the
weight of their position in life, they would
give the cause an impetus which would
smooth many difficulties and remove many
obstructions to its more complete success.
We see, every day, appeals and exhorta-
49, ~, clo ,fv Ia
see every effort made to arouse them from
their inactivity to sense of their duty; bur
we see them still, instead of giving all their
energies, and being instruments Of incalculabe
good, positive injury to the spreading Of
Temperance principles. And why an injury2
Because, by their apathy and silence, they
give countenance 10 the use of intoxicating
drinks.
When an important move is made in So
cety, and one too affecting the happiness and
prosperity of mankind, we naturally look to
those who have, in some capacity, merted the
esteem and confidence of their fellow beings
for guidance and direction. From the honor
and integrity Of their lives they attract our at
tention, and we watch to see what effect the
new movement has upon their minds, and, as
we see them influenced one way or the other,
we are induced to form an opinion as to
whether the movement embodies good or bad
principles. We trust in their known judg-
ment and reputation, and infer that they
would condemn what was of evil tendency
and advocate good.
We see, then, the power that such persons
possess, the influence they have over the minds
and dispositions Of others. How manifest then
the importance of arousing this power from
slumbering inactivity into vigorous action.
Many are the attempts made to infuse into
them life and spirit; many attempts are made
to bring their services TO our aid, and impel
them to take decided stand in favor of the
temperance cause. But alas ithey give US
their quiet sympa,hies, and remain passive
spectators Of our struggles for the good OF man
kind. They see millions annually plunged in
to misery and despair; but awake not from
their lethagy. They raise not the arm, and
iiit uot 'uC soloC " Pioe'diii 'hch ouhoiiSHtC
and hostility against the destroyer.
There is class of persons, too, who like to
underrate their individual influence; they think
because they lead humble and retired life,
that their accession to the cause Of temperance
and efforts in its favor, would be of no percep-
tlble importance. We wish we could eradi
cate this erroneous and too prevalent idea, we
tell such persons, and we wish 10 impress it
upon them, that every individual, no matter
how humble or how obscure, has in him the
elements of good and the power, he exerts it
OF making il benefit TO mankind, beyond what
he for momeat imagines. We call upon
them to come forward and give TO us their
helping hand We want to present 10 the
world numbers, as well as reformed drunkards.
and other evidences of our power to do good
We want TO give the cause the character of a
great popular movement; one that will enlist
the sympathes and ardent support of every
well wsher of his race. There are persons
TOO, who have been temperate and 'abstemious
all their lives, but who withhold their names
from the pledge because they feel perfect Sc
curiiy in themselves against the TOO free use
of ardent spirits.