Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-08-30
ENcE OF ALCOHOL ON IN.
TELLECT,

AGAA1O
It is a melancholy fact frequently adverted to
by those who are observant of human affairs, that
the lofty intellect and the giant mind, are more
frequently Frustrated by the damning effects Of
alcoholic stimulants, than by all other causes
combined. No one is so highly endowed by
nature with rare gifts of the head and heart, that
he is entirely shielded from its insinuating advan-
ces. 1t IS unfortunately the case, that those who
are distinguished for theft natural endowments.
feel themselves secure from the ravages of this
fell destroyer scorn the idea that they will ever
subject themselves to the degradation consequent
upon the excessive use of spirituous liquors, and
feel their dignity offended, and themselves ihsul-
ted, should any one presume to hint to them,
their danger. By an infexible law of our ma
ture, they soon find themselves falling into a hab.
it from the tyranny Of which they cannot escape
which will grind them mercilessly to the earth,
and wiring out to them the hitterest days of disap
pointment, suffering and disgrace. They, at
first, see the wine-bowl sparkling with generous
warmth, and wreathed only with the fairest, and
most lovely flowers, but alas they see not that
underneath that glittering bubble, all is deceptive
all is illusoEy or that garland conceals beneath
its bright branches a poisonous a1-er that will
sting them to the death. Rejoicing in the excite
ment and the inspiration it gives, they fill high
the flowing bowl, and deem that they quaff that
nectar which will give them an immortality of
pleasure but a disappointment as bitter as death,
awaits them when they find that they have
reached forth to the boon of Immortality, and
have grasped only an empty shadow. They
deem that the letters which are thrown over them,
are wreaths Of roses, but they soon find that they
are bound with letters of brass. They are thus
led on from a slight indulgence, in what, to them
at first. was not Of much pleasure, to a habit as
I~nfiexlhle as fate, and as stern as death. A wri-
ter on the mind, beautifully and forcibly remarks
on the subject Of the irresistible force of habits
" The bibbeF Of wine, and the drinker of ardent
spirits, readily Acknowledges that the sensation
was at first, only moderately pleasing and perhap.
in the very Slightest degree. Every time they
carried the intoxicating poison to their lips, ie
sensation grew more pleasing, and the desire for
it waxed stronger. Perhaps they were mol
aware that this process was going on in virtue
Ct a great law of humanity but they do not pre-.
tend to deny the fact. They might, indeed
have suspected at an early period that chains
were gathering around them whatever might be
the cause but what objection had they to b
, bound with links Of flowers; delightful while
tAey lasted, and easily broken when necessary
Cut here was the mistake. Link was added Il
link, chain was woven with chain, till he who
. boosted of his strength, vas at last made sensible
Of his weakness, and found himself a prisoner, q
captive, a deforned, altered, and degraded slave,
The question may be asked then, with start
ling energy, how shall they escape this scourge,
this tyrant, that weighs them so remorselessly
down? How many men, aye men of ~intellecl
and ofgenius too, secure themselves from lis raw.
6 ages2 Our reply must be to all total qbstinenc,
from all that can stimulate 10 ntoricatioB-t
those who have not formed the habit, we would
say, I" o6sto princpiis :" to those who have beer
forced under IFS sway, we would earnestly anc
affectionately plead a complete, an entire refor
nation. Resolve in the strength of your might
: that never while you live, will you again let thi
: exciting beverage pass your lips. The r~evulsior
will be a.severe, and a trying one, but it is tn
= only certain remedy and it is certain to produces
U a radical cure. IT NEVER FAILS!