The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-03-11
meT sIihaYuFtOmths Spirit 81 the Age.
Testimony Of Great Men.

1t is gratifying to know that the |
pnblic mind Is awake to the propriety |
Of reforming the practice Of drinking
ardent spirit 4 as a beverage. And
certainly the friends Of humanity, and
lovers Of good order and soberhess
ought to take advantage Of the auspi-
cious turn which the public sentiment
sabout taking, and do all within hui
man power to further the cause Of
Total Abstinence, which has been so
successfully set in motion. ~
We have to regret that there is
class Of our countrymen whose great
influence, comparatively speaking, is
but feebly felt in behalf Of this mighty
reformation. | mean the distinguished
Statesmen Of the nation. But let it
not supposed that these patriotic,
souls, because they have been called
TO other fields of labor, are not with
us heart and hand. They have seen
with regret the calamity which has
befallen the country they SO much.
love; and have spoken against the
shameful vice in language which shall.
| never die.
Hear what the patriotic Charles
Carroll, Of Carrollton, said in old age,
/ after the use Of ardent spirits for the
space of twelve months as suggested
by his friends for his health. " GEN
tlemen, the experience Of many years
has taught me that | can do without
brandy, and the trial of its use for a
single year, has convinced me that il
4 I continue it, I can BY nomeans fore
see what it will do with me.H '
Il Said Thomas Jefferson, "The habit
/ of using ardent spirits by men in pub
4 office has occasioned more injury to
\ the public service, and more tronble
4 to me, than any other circumstance
/ which has occurred inthe International
concerns of the country, during my
administration and were ! to com.
mence my administration again with
the knowledge, which, from expe-
rience, / have acquired, the first ques-
ton which | would ask, with regard
to every candidate for public office,
should be, rs he addicted TO the ass
IL of ardent spirits -"
4 The Hon. Felix Grundy, United
II States Senator from Tennessee, gives
it as his opinion that four-ffths Of the
crimes committedin the United States,
can be traced to intemperance.
Says the Hon. Edward Everett, {" ]
believe the poverty out Of the aims
house, produced by intemperance, ii
greater in the amount Of suffering
which it occasions than the poverty il
!, the alms-house.' On ra
e Said the Hon. Daniel Webster
v Nothing less certain, can be said o
: it than that it is a great vice, and, il
! an extraordinary degree, the paren
e and concomitant Of other great vices
S Doubtless, more than other vices, thi
h units the mind for the growth or cul
n tivation of any plant Of virtne.
S strikes a blow, deadly blow, at ono
d on all its capacities, and all its sensi
/. bilities, 1t renders it alike incapabl
il Of pious feelings, Of social regard, an
If Of domestic affection. One of it
;. earliest visible consequences is a les
o sening Of self-respect, a consciousness
d ofpersonal degradation, an humblin
d conviction, felt by its victim, that b
J. has sunk, oris sinking, from his prope
IF rank as an intellectual and moral be
/ ing" L al
Says the Hon. Lewis Cass, 81 hav
never tasted any ardent spirits, nc
,e have l, at any time during life, bee
of in the habit of drinking wine. 1t j.
10 Of course, almost useless to add, ths
l. I know nothing of the effects of stin
g ulating liquors upon the constitution
g except by them in others. / hav'
perhaps, during a portion Of nv lif(