The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-08-24

both heat and fiesl-forming principles.
The same authority state that alcoholic
drinks are entirely composed of the
heat.forming principle, without any of
those elements which administer to
growth and nutrition. AS their effects
are only heating, it may be asked, can
we not obtain the same heat in sim
pier and less dangerous form; for, by
heating they stimulate the nervous
system, quicken the circulation, and
produce intoxication.
On this point the eminent DR.. An
drew Coombc gives similar tcstimo-
ny" Many persons imagine that
spirits taken in moderate quantity can
not be injurious. because they feel no
immediate bad effects from their use.
| If the fundamental principle which |
have advanced is sound, and if all the
functions Of the system are already
vigorously executed without the aid of
spirits, their use can be followed by on
| ly one ctiect-morbid excitement; and
it is in vain to contend against this OBJ
vious truth. The evil attending their
unnecessary use may not be felt at the
time, but nevertheless it is there" We
could add many more testimonies OH
this point, but they all agree that alco-
holic liquors Of any kind should be ta-
ken only as medicine.
TOBACCO.
| Medical authorities state that tobac-
co also acts on the system rs an intoXi-
cant in whatever form consumed. 1t is
only because it does not produce that
excess of intoXication known as drunk
enncss that it is considered less perni-
nicious. 1t produces disorders in the
mucous membrane Of the larynx and
palate, seriously deranges the stomsc ch,
and affects the action of the heart and
lungs. 1t dcmoralises the feelings,
creates thirst, and the habit at best is
dirty and idle, and should in no case
be used unless recommended by me-
dical man. Such are the direct physi-
cal effects Of indulging in the above
habits: we shall now consider how
they affect man as q member of society.
= THE BfEgora OF INTEMPERAScE ON
: y.ss & $3.50
lntcmpcrance produces not Only the
scorching mouth, the dizzy head, and
the shaking hand on its victims. but
very often they are driven to the brink
Of want and dependence and if they
fall over that procipice they are lost to
all manly dignity and independence of
mind. They will now be the constant
visitors OF the parish office, or some
other charitable institution. In short,
for the greatest part of their wants
they are stipcndiaries on society. The
man who thus becomes pauper on
the good will and bencvolcnce of his
ncighbors evidently cannot be recon-
cilcd with political or social indcpen-
dcncc, for these principles were sucri-
feed on the altar OF selt:induIgence.
If man, by mtemperance and improvi-
dcnce, thus casts an evil and retro
grading influence on society, how APP
palling must it be to those who sur
round his domestic hearth.
For it is true that the influence of
home, III which II human being is rear
cd, is greater than all the Influences he
may afterwards be subjected to: if it
is the home that governs the nations,
and that those who hold the leading
strings OF children there have more
power in their hands than those who
WELD the reins Of government; if in
the home the character is formed for
good or for cvl--it is evident that he
who is slave to intcmpcrancc and its
concolnitant evils rctards not only the
progress OF his own generation, but
that of ages yet unborn. Our deeds
grow and flourish when we are forgot
ten. Ii our children arc brought up
in filthy, ill-vcntilated, and damp
dwellings; if their homes be the scenes
Of discomfort, strife and qmarrclling,
where kind word is seldom or never
exchanged between those they look
upon as patterns for them to follow
the proper development Of the physi-
cal or moral nature of man under such
circumstances is utterly impossible.
But these are not all the evil innu-
ences that the proiligate exhibits to his
family and to the world. He trihes
with the solemn responsibility he un-
dcrtook, to procure his family the ne
ccssaries Of life. His helpless children
with their innocent faces, look to him
as their strenth against all advcrsities
and troubles. He, heartless man, dis
regards all their eloquent pleadings,
and throws the burden upon society.
With such men, reason the brightest
gem in human existence is dethroned
aud laid aside, and in her place reigns
selfishness and cruelty, or any other
base feeling that may suit his vile pur.
poses. The end of such u life will be
an mtimely grave, leaving his unfor-
tmate family without a penny, to buf;
fet as they best can with the hard world,
The hand of charity, though welcome
to the needy, is cold, aud her gifts arc
valueless, compared with the wages Of
industry and the honest savings Of fru.
| ual labor for these carry with them