The Columbian fountain., 1846-10-16
RUM RUlNll RUIN!!l

In our paper Of yesterday, under the above
head. we took occasion 10 present some re-
marks in relation to the extensive and des-
uuctiue traffic in intoxicating drinks which
prevails in our city. We would again invite
the welldisposed in the community to unite in
some effort 10 eradicate the evil; and stay the
the destructive tide which sweeps through our
streets and avenue. carrying misery and ruin
10 many happy home. Daily and nightly
are our young men tempted by the demon Of
drink. and our friends and neighbors tempted
to destruction. The evil is no slight one, al
though some who read this article may think
we oyerestimate il. Must we refer to thar
bloated form, and point TO the ruin which this
traffic has brought upon him Individually, leav
ing out ofyisws the anguish brought upon his
wife, his family, and friends. Is it necessary
to call your attention 70 that young man, who
is deceiving himself, with the idea that he can
.sdrink when he please" See him 60 into
that oyster celler, get his drink Of grog, and
vanish. Will his career terminate like that
Of thousands Of Others who have gone before
him, and who have consoled themselves with
the same argument, until what was commenc-
ed as a relaxation became disease, and the
poor fellow became victim Of mania -a-potu,
or delirium trxsnenR Some Of US, we know,
can only see the enormity Of this evil, when
some startling incidence Of it's destructive ef-
fects calls forth the public indignation, and
even, then some are found disposed 10 palliate
and find excuse for il. The fallacious argu-
ment il urged that the "abuse Of a thing should
not be urged against It's use." Suppose, for
I the sake Of argument, that this is true Of some
things, can. il be said Of intoxicating liquors
Where is the man that has the temerity TO
contend that it can? Mono: the use OF H.
quor at all as beverage, leads directly to its
abuse. Years upon years Of experience prove
that there is no safety in moderate drinking
the direct tendency is TO immoderaie drinking.
This being the case, then. we cannot consider
this is small evil. Christians, parents, phi
lanthropists, can you see your fellow men 60
down 10 darkness and the worm through the
influence Of this internal traffic, and make no
effort 10 save them We will not believe il.
Come up them, to the help Of the poor, besot-
ted drunkard. and endeavor At leastto diminish
the number Of his temptations. This is a good
cause-a holy cause-a cause that you need
not be ashamed of-a cause whose success
will bring joy and gIadness TO many hearts.
and rebound to the peace and happiness Of
your city. In this connexion, we would call
(, your attention to the following remarks from
the New York Tribune. Although not orlgi-
nally written 10 apply 70 this city. yet we think
they will suit this meridian.
"Friends Of Temperance and Moral PURITY!
this city is one Of the great strongholds Of the
monster which is annually devouring its thou
sands. Here gambling has its barricaded pal
aces. glittering with plate and filed with every
luxury here lewdness entices thousands Of the
T young and unwary into its dens, TO send them
forth corrupted, blighted, tainted, 10 hurry
down to shameful graves. Of these and all
I other vicious causes, the main spring is the
use Of Alcoholic liquors. Take away these,
and the bsothel. the gaming house, the den Of
the sharper, the lurking place Of the thief,
would Be Stunned and tenaniless. But so long
as intoxicating liquors abound, we need not
hops that vice will be diminished or the chan
nels Of misery run dry.
A 10 those new fedged friends Of Temper
ance who say " "Druntenness is a deplorabe
evil--we are great friends Of Temperance
only we are opposed 70 enforcing i BY law"-
there Is no honesty in them. Not one in a
dozen Of them ever refrained from drinking a
single week, unless for want Of liquor. II ar
dent spirits be . poison. = = physiologicaliy
demoostnble, then il i wrong TO sell 4 70 men
who are unaware Of it, true nature, and who
are certain 70 use to il their own detriment and
that Of their families. II il fraud upon them
and gssvious Injury 70 the Commonweaish, j,
which 10. .bouad 70 project itself and il citizens
agsioss such evils. TO talk Of such mischiefs
- bsyoad he Iegiiimase reach Of government,