The Columbian fountain., 1846-01-28

gift Of the good Being An emblem OF Its
Maker! 1t has the inspiration apd power
which belong to purity. Who suffers men
tai slavery or moral pollution in consequence
OF drinking at the crystal fountain3 Il I'M
pairs no mans intellect, soils no mans gar
ments, blunts none of the finer feelings,
brings no dark and damning spot upon the
soul. Like its Creator, too, II is beautiful
and beneficent See its glory in the rain-
bow, Its modest beauty in the dew-drop, its
sparkle in the rill, its image of the quiet
face Of heaven and golden orb of day in the
calm bosom Of the lake; listen to the music
OF its murmuring, as it glides softly along
| the pebbled channel, ripples over rocks,
dashes down cataracts, or raises It's sublime
voice in the roar of old ocean. And what
countless blessings does it bestow! 1t falls
from the clouds Of haven, and the corn
fields which had shrivelled up their leaves,
and turned from lively green to sickly pale,
stretch out their arms and put OH their most
cheerful robes to welcome its approach; the
rose bushes her gratitude to receive the ia
vor from her ETHEREAL lover; earth's messy
carpet assumes brighter hue, the spires Of
grass elevate their tiny heads, and even the
modest violet dares to look up; the vines
rejoice, the trees clap their hands; and, as
the clouds retire, bright-plumaged birds in
sweetest notes chime in with natures uni
versal gladness.
These are but small portion Of the bless
ings il dispenses. Think of the mills and
other manufactures carried on by its aid
which afford employment and food to thou
sands; aye, to millions! Think Of the
ten thousand ships whose snowy canvass
whitens the deep--the comfort, kind feel
ing, extinction Of national hostilities, and
all other benefits resulting from an extended
commerce! Remember, too, that water is
pure, and bestows happiness. Unlike alco-
hol, it taints no mans breath, enphes no
mans purse, leads none to filthy grog-shops,
takes clothing from the back and shoes from
the feet of no destitute children; shingles
from the roof and glass from the windows
of no mans dwelling it rolls no unfortu-u
ate victims in the gutter, confines none in
jails or penitentiaries, leads no man to the
gallows it breaks the heart of no affection
ate wife, takes bread from the hungry lips
Of no poor children: brings on no disgrace
full death, and inscribes upon no tombstone,
"HERE LIES A DRUNKARDp'
There is a man in Germany who pretends
to cure all diseases by the application Of
cold water. The man and his remedy, by
some persons, have been denounced as a
humbug. But, whatever opinion may be
entertained of his system, this fact is indis-
putable, that we, in the land Of the star
spangled banner, have discovered an infal-
lible preventive and cure of lntemperance
and, in view of its virtues, can challenge
the confidence of all men for our cold mater
cure! But why speak of the virtues OF
water' 1t recommends itself In the Ian
guage Of one Of Shakspeare's heroes, it may
say of its own worth: g wish no other
herald, no other speaker of my living ac-
tons, to keep mine honor from corruption.'
We shall continue the subject in some
"Reasons for signing the Pledge"