Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-12-19

The vernal sun for while is baflied by
the icy chains of scowing
clouds ob.truct his rays; but Sol per-
severes: the streams are soon liberated,
nature is suddenly revived and leaps
into his arms. So with customs repu-
dated by the reason and conscience Of
men; they may for while cling to
to society like ice on the Mississippi,
but break they must and sink forever.
4 custom thus sentenced by universal
reason is like an edifce whose founda-
ton is sapped aud stands by mere suf-
ferance. A wave of popular indigna-
ton may PROSTATE it at once; popu-
lar impulse like that which gave birth
to Washingtonianism, may demolish
it in a moment; or it may die a bard,
lingering and painful death; but de
it must.
Now, since it is so generally admit
ted that total abstinence is remedy
for intemperance, how shall we pro-
cure the adoption of this rcmedy?-
Obviously by showing the extent of
the disease. This is the object of your
Society. Space, Time and Inability,
powerful antagonists, forbid any at
tempt here to portray those evils;-
Even in pccunlary point of view,
they are astounding. There are ten
licensed groggeries. four taverns and
five wholesale establishments in our
county, which traffic in ardent spirits
There are many other establishments
which sell in defa nee of law. A sa-
loon in neighboring town flourishes
under rent of 500 per annum.-
The aggregate of these sales cannot be
less than $4,000; judicious individu-
ais say S20,O00-a sum more than suf-
fcient to defray our county expenses
and make it an Eden to boot!
In view of this enormous sacrifice
on the altar of artificial appetite, the
cry of your society is, "Hold on, fel,
low-citizens, sew up the rent made in
your pockets by this wholesale plum
der, SO shall they be lined with the
gold Of ophir."
We hear of wretchedness and want
even this side of ireland yes, we have
seen famine and hunger even in the
cabins of Old Grant.
The social reformers and politicians
come forward with their nostrums to
cure these evils. The Democrat vo-
cifcrates that Free Trade will open
the gates of Paradise The Wing re-
plies, No, only a tariff will make
"Pancake8 and dumplngs dango from the trees,
"And waffies Huter in each passing breeze.
The Fourierist says we must all
burrow togethcrlike rabbits, then shall
we all become sleek and fat; the
Agrarian demands an equal distribu-
ton of real estate. Others say throw
the surplus population of the earth
overheard; the crew is too numerous
already for the supplies. Now all
this in our opinion, is mere CANNON.
The bosom of mother earth is ample
enough to fill hundred times her
present population with food and glad
ness. But men, poor as well as rich,
empty with prodigal hand, the horn OF
plenty on the consuming altar of ar,i-
fetal appetite. Strange inconsistency,
TO quarrel and wrange over the mite
of difference between high and low
tariff, and yet to look with unconcern
upon the millions squandcrcd in the
qualification of hurtful appetite. Sup
pose there are $4,000 adult men IN
our Territory; that these spend on an
average So each for stimuIants OF
which the Indian weed and alcohol
are the principal, is moderate esti-
mate. Here are Sl50,0oO; a sum
doubly sufficient 10 defray The expenses
Of our State government. II would
adorn our State with public buildings,
churches and school houses, end diff
fuse plenty in every family. The
boH OF railroad which is to unite the
Mississippi with the Lake would soon
be unrolled. Society has within Itself
the rudiments Of lis own wealth and
greatness, were those means judicious-
ly applied. A glimpse Of the national
glory and individual happiness which
a simple return TO neture's laws would
confer upon US, will ere long correct
the heart rending evils Of in.emper-
ance.
That your society may meet with
signal success in its efforts to effect
this important end IS the earnest prayer
of the Undersigned.
II u rnT rrrr-n