Spirit of the age., 1853-05-18
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
The Evil Effects Of Incompetence.


1t must be admitted that the subject of In
temperance is Il hackneyGd theme ; it has
been discussed by men Of various degrees of
talent The brilliant Statesman, the pious
Divine, and humane philanthropist have with
all the power Of eloquence and oratory, en-
deavored to portray the direiul effects ever
attending this all pervading destroyer. But
the fact is, the evil effects of 1ntempcrance
arc such as no pen can truly portray. When
we cast our eyes around us, when we faith
fully review the eventful past, we are struck
dumb with painful astonishment on behold
inc the rayages wrought upon mankind, by
Tntemperance. We not only find its marks
upon a few deluded victims, but we find its
dark impressions upon society and communi-
ties at large It's operations are not confined
to certain localities, but it sweeps far and
wide. from East to West, from North to South,
taintingan corrupting the atmosphere where
ever it plants and unfurls its blood-stained
banner.
The afrectionate parent is made to recoil
and trcmble at its approach, for it bears upon
its wings chain, destined perhaps, to grap
ple and drag their children into an untimely
grave. 1t invades communities, and has caus-
ed many to weep as those who have no hope"
over the wreck it has caused in the circle of
! their nearest and dearest friends. INTEMPER-
! ANcE. Ah there is terror in its name and
death in it's approach. 1t has been the direct
cause Of more pain, anguish and misery than
any curse under which the posterity of Adam
labors. 1t has made orphans and widows :;
it has blighted the most fatterlng hopes and
dissipatpd the brightest anticipations of fu-
ture happiness it has brought down " the
grey hairs of age in sorrow to the tomb ;" it
. olno Gn lIo
filed their gloomy cells with its blinded, de-
luded votaries. 1t has buried cities, and has
shed crimson streams of blood it has kindled
the iucendiary's flame, and has nerved the
assussin's arm to strike the fatal blow. 1t
has dragged men from the heights of opulence
and responsibility, and has placed them with
in the walls Of the poor-housc 1t has caus-
ed the tear to flow, and the sigh Of anguish
To heave the bosom. 1t has cut off the bloom
inc youth in the midst of friends; it has pla-
ced brother at variance with brother 1t has
robbed the wife of the affection of her hus-
band, and has caused her devoted heart tc
bleed with anguish 1t has caused the wild
Iow'smoan and orphans wall to be heardin ey
ery land. 1t eorrupts the heart, destroys the
mind crushes hopes, blights JOY, destroys
: health wealth and reputation-it pales the
: most blooming cheek, swells and dims the
. brightest eye, palsies the strongestarm, bloat
D and comforts the most handsome features! Bu
: why attempt to enumerate the evils of In
o temperance for their name is legion
0 We are fully aware that the sons of Adam
: are capable Of being tempted, of erring, o
!, deviating from the path of rectitude and vir
5 tue, consequently VIC almos. daily see mel
It writhing under the fiery scourge, and ben
: ding beneath the CALLING yoke of Intemper
S ance We behold it, like stream ofmolte
i lava, pouring down from volcanic height:
4 bearing before it the king and the beggal
e the rich and the poor, the wise and the igne
d rant, the learned and the unlearned, the ma
ter and the servant, and n one undistinguisl