The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-09-23


Can anything be done to prevent such
degradation? This is question which
must be solved, and which cannot be set
aside with impunity. ,el
"What | see daily" that wrings my
heart, is not only the most reVolting eX-
terror Of degradation and misery. This
burthen oil sorrow which fills the air,
comes not alone from the dens Of fsqualid
poverty, and from the dirty alleys and
bv-ways Of our city. In the higher walks
of life, amidst splendor and luxury,
where the glitter Of wealth and fashion
allures a swarm of pleasure-seekers with
in its dazzling circles, the keen eye may
see dark cloud of sorrow hang densely
above all this gorgeous display. And,
deeper than the outside smile, are the
lines of anxious and agonising thoughts
on the cheek and brow Of the disappoint
ed wife, who, while her heart is aching
and breaking, keeps up a fair show to
the world. We say OF one whom we
knew in her youthful bIoom-FIt seems
but few years since we saw her, full of
hope, Q happy bride, with a future OF
love and Joy before her. Now, how old
she looks how she has changed n and,
wondering that few years should levas
such traces on the countenance we,
thought no more about it, till bye and
bye the fact, that had been long conceal
ed, breaks visibly forth. Ruined fol-
tunes, reputation gone, the respect OF
the community lost, all these sad conse-
quences of self-indulgence, tel why it
was that the young wife so soon grew
pale and withdrew from the world. She
had been watching with trembling anx-
iety the husband of her love, hoping
against hope, striving by every affection
ale appeal to show him his danger and
win him back to virtue. She had been
devoting herself to her children, fearful
of leaving them, lest they should see
their fathers shame, and with curious
questionings, probe her wounded heart
100 closely. Always at home, lest her
husband might find some excuse in her
absence for his own wanderings. AL
ways on the alert for his return, fearful
alas with what cause, lest he might
present himself TO the eyes of babbling
servants or chance visitors, in such a
guise as would disgrace him and disclose
her bitter secret.
Night after night, when the deserted
street echoed 10 the football OF some
loiterer abroad, she has watched Tor his
return to open the door softly and guide
him 10 his room. And the morning has
dawned upon her sleepless eyes, for
grief would not let her sleep, and loath-
ing she could not resist forbade her to
lay her head on the pillow beside him
who was no longer the husband of her
youth, the man of her pure love.
In this service she grew prematurely
old and wrinkled. The gentle ministra-
tions of reciprocal affection keep the
heart young and fresh. The pure light
of domestic happiness is favorable to
outward beauty and bloom. 1t makes
the soul glad 10 look on life in this aspect
But this is not all. The dark side OF the
picture is one among many mysteries in
human life, which, if we do not choose
to walk blindfold, "we must see daily"
| have said that the greater part of the
misery in our country springs from one
source. Is itnot so, and is itnot grow
ing evil amongst us? From the high
places of political power and distinction,
to the dark corners of ignorance and
poverty, the evil of intemperance exists
and spreads its upas breath over cur BEAU
titul land. When our senators and states
men, our men OF genius and learning set
the example, what wonder that the poor,
the unfortunate, the ignorant and debased
follow in the tram. 1t matters not whether
a man be drunk on the choicest foreign
brandy or the cheapest domestic whisky.
In either case, it is the fumes Of hell,
that, stealing over his faculties, shuts up
every avenue of healthful invigoration,
makes his blood boil, excites his brutal
passions, or stupefes him, soul and sense,
till he is no longer worthy the name OF
man.
Were society but fully awake TO this
evil, surely sometl ing might be done to
arrest lis progress. 1t is given to the
race as to the individual, the power OF
/ ,uorlrspcs ant lie o,,,Y1 solyot;onI. and M hon