The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-08-06
Organ Of the Temperance Reform.
KNIGHTsTowN, IND. J
Julv OF. 1889 (

elllo SlOIlOuo AGioAitig NuAo NNuoO VI SuN
human race. And in the annals oI
history do not think there is a single
moral revolution which has ever
claimed the attention Of man, involv-
ing such bright hopes, such glorious
anticipations, for the degraded, the
down-lallen, the outcast Of the human
race, though so much enslaved by the
powerful chains of the demon of in
temperance, they are in a measure
incapable of appreciating the efforts
of the great and good in their behalf,
The human race is one great brother
hood, sprung from the same common
source, and every unfortunate being
is entitled to the sympathy of his fell
low man, and needs that charity ex.
tended to him which makes him feel,
that though disgraced, he has claim
upon the sympathies of men, and
which does much to nerve his soul
for the trying conflict of total absti-
nence. But before any special in.
fluence can be exerted by legislative
power, public opinion must become
improved, and the masses be aroused
TO their own interest. Though the
public mind is now much agitated
upon this subject, yet let ii be kept be-
fore the people, and let them be told,
and told again, the facts in reference
to this curse of man. Let, then, pub
lie opinion be renovated, and this is
formed alone by the aggregation of
private opinion; and when formed and
properly directed, it sweeps over So
ciety with an impetuouS tide, forcing
all along in its own direction. This
power is but the combination Of thou
sands of minute influences, 1t has its
sources in the counting house Of the
merchant, at the counter Of the shop
keeper, in the offices of the attorney
and physician, at the loom, bench and
anvil, at the plough and in the harvest
field, in the mansion Of opulence and
ease, in the humble cabin, where
poverty eats her scanty fare. All
these are but the secret, but irresisli-
Bile influences, which form the public
mind, and when once directed by a
healthy, moral sentiment, it moves
with irresistible power renovating,
purifying, and cleansing from vice.
immortality and corruption, striking
down such evils as are prejudicial to
the best interests Of the human family.
Then let us agitate this question, and
all others giving hope of a moral
reformation crying down those enor-
nous evils which are dark stains upon
our national escUtcheon, and which
must, | believe, under the advance
ment of civilization and progress of
the present age, be wiped out, as hav-
ing been the plague spots, the poison
Gus Upas tree of our Republic, and the
bane and poison of our institutions.
Let every citizen feel, and feel deeply,
how much his individual influence may
do for the eradication of the curse Of
intemperance from the land of his
nativity. 1t is work of humanity,
elevating man, degraded to the lowest
depths of shame, vice and misery, to
the situation which he was destined to
occupy, and for which he was created
by the God of Heaven 1t is work
of philanthropy the love of the hui
man race should prompt men to work
together for the suppression Of such
an enormous evil. They should labor
to promote the happiness of the whole
human race, by elevating those who
are degraded, and debased, and point
ing all classes to a still higher point
in the scale of being; q point nearer
perfection than the one which we now
enjoy, and one in which more pure
and unalIoyed happiness is enjoyed
by the masses.
This great reform, so characteristic
of this age, and of this great nation,
(for, to our honor be it said, is wholly
of American origin), would then ad-
vance with a new impulse and accel-
Grated enorgy, in its career of benev'
oIence, patriotism, love and philan-
thropy. We advocate, then, that the
right to restrict the sale of spirit1ous
liqours, as beverage, is unquestiona-
bic but some urge the objection to
this of policy. But no one will deny,
that our best policy exists in restrict.
ing whatever tends to destroy the hap.
piness and demoralize community.
And even the spirit Of the law would
indicate the same policy, and men are
possessed Of inalienable rights, and
governments are instituted among
men, and laws are for the protection Of
men in their rights, their property, and
for the promotion and security Of hap
piness-butwhen from any cause these
rights are subverted, it most certainly
is the right OF the people to alter or
abolish such laws as protect and give
rise to the subversion Of such guaran-
teed rights, and pass such laws as
shall be most likely to promote safety
and happiness. But the question, no
doubt, has arisen in the minds Of many
individuals: Does the well being Of