The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-23
For the Columbian Fountain.


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For ths Columbian Fountain.
Mn. EprroR: Believing that the cause Of
Temperance demands Of all, support and ad-
| yocacy. contemplate addressing You an oc-
casionaI letler-being the nightly cogitations of
one who once felt the influence Of this debas-
ing hs bit; hoping that his efforts may prove
beneficial 10 the onward course OF this great
and good cause. tIgsaH p r1#
These efforts he modestly submits, knowing
that your columns are always filled with able:
arguments, and deeper research; yet, he hopes
that now and then an humble nook may be all
lotted him. M .it l.t5at
4 Argument, to establish the necessity Of tenn
perance, is useless. Public opinion has al
ready been convinced. Intemperaace is an
evil, Common sense and mems own con-
science force them to admit this fact as a moral
axiom. No man can be found, so lost to rea-
son as TO avow the adverse Of this proposition.
The fact is so apparent, so manifest, that we
need but the evidences that are daily placed
before our observation, to convince our judg.
inents, so glaring and high-handed are the sup
porters and advocates Of this iniquous habit
But this has been sorrowfuly proven as the
personal history of thousands Of the reclaimed
show. .7f.ts, i Is...a s..l.,a.. a..a
Let me here digress, while offer one or two
IDEAS on the mode adopted for the advance
ment Of this retorm-I aIlude to the mode OF
sending forth reclaimed drunkards 10 tell their
experience, in plain and unIeltered style. This
was the, lever that moved the moral world.
Through It's agency, the public mind became
enlightened public Judgment convinced, and
its sympathies aroused. Oratory and elegant
diction might have tingled the ear, and poetic
imagery pleased the fancy, as they clothed the
subject in the gaudy garb of romance and fic-
ton, but it was left to the simple tale of,he ne-
.briate 10 startle the world into the conviction
Of error and bring in broad and lucid light
the darkling and damning effects Of this habit.
Twas this that sped the Gospel truth--ema-
mating from divinity, and preached by unlet
tered fishermen. A Wesley's design is its con-
comitant-his experience meetings and itine-
rancy has spread his doctrines over the wide
world. And happy was the thought, when
applied to this moral reformation. Go on,
then, this is the moral Archimedian lever
that will move The world, in the final demoli-
ton of this trade, traffic, and use, of intoxicat-
ing liquors.
Rut 10 return Were we but to look out on
society, and contemplate the waste and de-
structon of intellect alone, we would find am
pie evidence to establish it a facg that, intem-
perance in the use Intoxicating liquors as
beverage, is an evil. Then, ii an evil, how
eradicate it2 The mode already adopted gives
assurance Of success. For the progress of this
reformation has been onward and upward.
Over our own beloved country the Tocsn of
temperance has not rung out its peals in vain,
for around its standard, wherever the folds of
It's pure ensign have been unturled, hundreds
and thousands have focked ready to do and
dare in the cause. And too, beyond the
oceans wave its spirit stirring notes are heard
reverberating among Scolia's many hills; while
the Green Island oil the ocean, with her char
acteristic enthusiasm, is not last though least
in this glorious movement. The world has
been awakened the song Of intemperance that
has so long lulled the senses to security,
while the ocean tide of,deep destruction was
rolling on and on--is now heard no more and
if heard at all, 'tis but the mournful wall of
despair. Her duIcet strains, that please but to
deceive; and her melodies, that lure but to in
'toxicate, have lost their wonted harmony.
Where once frivolity held her clamorous reign,
and rude hilarity laughed TO see the midnight
brawl, aye, amid the obscene halls of lus;
and vice, the sparkling goblet Of lucious wine,
is now barely drained unabashed. Fairyfash-
ion, that sways the world with graceful ease,
and waves her sceptre over her enslaved sub
jects with despolic will, and 10 whose coronal
an universe does homage, even she, has felt The
potent touch Of the wand of the Goddess of
Temperance. e9otaa
For now amid her garnished halls, her vn- a
ries SIP not the blushing wine, with thaoiree J
&c that once graced the fashiope,c hannal
ls0r longer aoes the voiup,Ssir ,aSnsirammelled by
'carouse in midnight orgies q !, u .,..n his
conscience; nor o'er his actps ~" a.f :
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