The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-01-07
Cost of Intemperance.

Cost Of Intemperance.
Let any one, for moment, contem-
plate the expenses which the liquor
traffic entails upon olT nation, and
then say whether we have not right
to call for its suppression. Its actual
cost has been shown to be over 100,-
100000 of dollars annually, to raise
which money, the sober and indus
trious portion of the citizens pays a
exhorbitant taxed 1t keeps in our
land 100000 drunnkards-men lost to
society, and who perpetrate nine-tenlhs
of all the crime that fill the records
Of our criminal calanders. 1t reduces
600 to insanity, and sends 1000 to a
drunkard's grave annually.
But these are considerations of little
moment in comparison to the other
evils of the traffic. Its direct tenden-
cy, as all know, is to produce every
species of disease, corrupt morals,
destroy the intellect, entail upon the
domestic circle Indebtedness and mis-
cry, hurry the husband to the grave,
and bring shame and sorrow upon a
widowed and orphan family.
Who, then, will say that we have
not right to rise in our power, and
demand that this traffic shall cease
The greatest wonder is, that the SOW
ereign people of our land have so long
submitted to these wrongs. Suppose,
that while we were engaged in the
late Mexican war, the inhabitants of
that distressed country had managed
10 poison our soldiers drink, so that
one thousand Of our brave men had
been found dead in their tents from its
effects What would have been the
feelings Of every American towards
those exasperated savages, who felt
that their homes and altars were in
vaded? Why, one general shout of
Indignation and revenge had resound-
ed from Maine to Louisiana. Every
philanthropist would have felt like
taking up arms, and nothing short of
the determination of that poor nation
would have satisfied the spirit of re-
vcnge burning in every breast, for the
wrong inflicted upon our countrymen.
Whilst, not in that dark and idolatrous
country, but here, where civilization
and Christianity prevails, not one thou
sand, but over two thousand of the
very flower Of our country are poison
ed, not once in great many years,
but every year. and by whom I? Not
our sworn enemies; but by those who
profess to us great attachment of
friendship. We behold it administered
to our own children; we see it doing
its work Of death upon their vitaIs !;
and we blush for the inconsistency of
men, when we say that there can
scarcely be a voice raised against this
work of death, without hearing the
cry come IRON all quarters, yea,
even from the sacred desk, that we
would abridge the natural rights of
our neigh5or-that we would deprive
him Of his means of subsistence
that many whisky-sellers are useful
and honorable members of society
Out Upon such men, say we. Their
cloyen-feet are too plainly shown to
deceive us longer. Their Withholding
Of censure from these fiery serpsnts
that are destroying our Gellcw-men,
is sure evidence that they are either
parties in the crime, or blind to the
effects Of strong drink, or towards,
and afraid TO speak out; either of
which is, in this age, highly culpable.
Then, let every one, man, woman,
md child, demand of our Legislature
! redress of these wrongs. We have