The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-04-13

many young men, that in order to introduce
themselves upon the stage of action, they
must resort TO those places where liquor is
retailed in quantities to suit the desires Of
customers, and this sentiment is entertained
by large portion OF community. With
many it is supposed TO be great honor TO
drink the company dead drunk, and a mag
niicent virtue to swallow more liquor than
the rest.
When surrounded by friends and old com
panies, paying their devo.ions TO the God of
Ililarity, it is probable that sons of temper
ance, who have voluntarily taken solemn
pledge of honor not to use as beverage any
spurious or malt liquor, wine or cider, have
had their resolutions severely tried. Con-
sidering the many temptations and strong in
ducements which are ever present to lure
men from the paths of sobriety, it is crafty.
ing to see so many true to their integrity,
remaining firm in their resolutions to abide
by and support the principles Of total absti-
hence.
Selfinterest, which is one of the strong
est of human passions, has been, and still
continues to be, the cause Of the manufac-
ture and sale OF the great amount Of intoxi-
eating liquor which is used as beverage
For the sake ofgain the business men ofthe
country are willing to sell to their friends
and neighbors the poison which is sure TO
stay them in their prosperity and perhaps 10
bring them to want and misery. Their eff
orts are unceasing to uphold the practice Of
drinking and to extend the traffic. Littlere-
gard have such men for the ruin of individ-
uals or the evils which they bring upon soc-
ETY.; yet strange as it may appear the deal
ers IN liquor exercise much influence and
enjoy the confidence Of community,
Notwithstanding the order of the sons Of
temperance has to contend with the appe-
titles of men, excited and cultivated by GUS
tom, the indulgence of which is sanctioned
and sustained by public sentiment and self
interest. there is in tins county the strongest
reason why we should not hesitate in the
prosecution Of our benevolent enterprise.
/ According to the theory of governments
in the old countries the people belong to the
monarchs who rule them and are supposed
to guard and protect them in the rights
which they are pleased to concede to them.
All they have to do is TO look after those
matters which appertain TO their individual
affairs but IN this county it is different {:
here u!l power rests with the people pres
idents, governors, and legislators, are but
the agents OF the people elected to represent
their wishes and to execute their determin-
atoms. Ours is nation which boasts ofthe
freedom and happy condition of its citizens,
and there is no country where the rights of
individuals are so well understood and so
well secured. So long rs the people shall
keep themselves well informed upon all the
matters which concern their polite al as well
as their individual prosperity; and shall
maintain watchful guardianship over the
sentiments and dOings Of the men they place
| in power, and hold them to strict account
ability for the manner in which they execute
the trust committed to them, our insttu-
tons will flourish.
| Thatthe people may at all times be pre-
pared TO Judge and determine upon all ques-
tons which come before them, " hat action
will advance their own interest and the well
fare of the country, it is necessary that they
should keep unimpaired all the faculties Of
mind with which they have been endow-
ed.
To do this, we must abstain from those
sensual pleasures which lead to intemper.
ance and drunkenness for they deal will
us like Egyptian thieves who strangle all
they embrace.
To say nothing of the crudities and disea-
ses that follow this distemper: the baneful
effects which it produces upon the intellect
ual faculties would seem suilicientto induce
every person, who has the good Of his coun-
try at heart, TO secure himself against its
approach.
We know that drunkenness is voluntary
madness, that il irritateS and discovers wick
edness and emboldens men to commit all
sorts of mischiefin the catalogue Of crimes;
aud though il does not make men vicious,
it shows them TO be so. II browns all the
virtuous principles which we have acquired
and calls into active exercise every evil pro-
pensi'y in the nature Of man.
IL is true that there are many who lead
dissipated lives, retain noble qualities and
generous sentiments. These we often hear
extolled by friends, who lament the misfor,
tunes ofthose who have yielded to the de.
stroyer; and almost daily is it remarked o.
individuals, that were il not for liquor, how
useful they might be.
There is no standard by which men are
TO be adjudged good or bad. The reputa
ton which they acquire and the position
they occupy in the estimation of community
is always determined according to the vir
'uuus VI eNl VllH'lpl'SlH'y HlhilicSlll tlOl
intercourse with others.
II will not be denied that the governmel
Of this country rests. not only upon the il
telligence. but. upon the virtue of the pc,
pie. Men may be intelligent, yet prou
naughty and arrogant, and willing to SUI
NIT to the usurpaiions of the ambitious,
secure their own aggrandizement. f,
personal interest they may be willing
sacrifice the public good. Blu, when Writ
and integrity prevail, the rights of all a
equally secure. and any person, who seel
TO advance his own interest a, the expen,
of, the public good, by an appeal TO the sc
fish passions, is sure 10 reap his Just rewar
What is our duty as citizens, as friends
the stability and Termanency of our inslit
tons! Is it to Indulge in habits of dssip
ton! Or is it no, rather to cherish Il
principles OF total abs,lnencc' The OF
course destroys the mind. and banishes a
sympathy for others, and leaves a man
be governed by one passion, the gra,ifc
ton Of the appetite. II renders him an il
strumcn, in the hands of the designing
accomplish unworthy purposes. BY fai,