The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-11-15

Is so great virtue, that it carries many
others in its train. The circumstances of
the age In which We live have given II an
importance which Il could not otherwise
possess. The sufferings Of the inebriate,
| hls deplorable moral and social position,
have impaired to il an interest, which, in n
land of sober men, IL could never have pos.
sessed.
.This solicitude has not been carried too
far. We cannot do too much 10 relieve the
distresses of our fellow man--to improve
his moral and social condition. Temper
ance is The first step towards a good life
Let US give it its true place. III the gate
| way Of a beautiful field, but is not the field
itself 1t is the beginning, but not the end
"The true temperance mamie who en-.
ters the field with n sincere desire to do
good to his fellow man-fnds it sphere IN
which he may bless himself and the world
IA field for the exercise OF his noblest
faculties. But he will despise to be some.
thing more than mere temperance inan.-
lie will not be the demagogue Of philan-
thropy--the one idea man. lie is not the
man to defame the clergy, and waste his
time in idle denunciations OF his brother
whose good lady has put brandy into her
mince pies. lie finds some redeeming trait
| in the character Of him who has put up at
an anti-temperance tavern. He has charity
FOR the erring his heart is big enough to
afford place for all.
Temperance should not be divorced from
its kindred virtues. When the Young man
has signed the pledge, or otherwise resolved
To lead temperate life, do not leave him
with only one idea. Open the world of
goodness and truth which lies before him.
Strengthen his resolution by wrsathing
around his temperance principles those lof-
ty virtues which shall take root In his soul,
and branching out, shall surround him with
flowers and fragrance through which the
destroyer cannot penetrate.
"AIl institutions which tend TO improve
the moral, mental, social and religious con-
dition Of the people, are 80 many instiu-
mentalities In the cause OF tempsrance.-
The bigot of the temperance army cannot
understand this. IL lies outside the circle
Of his one idea"
Temperance societies have not done much to
promote temperance--the foundation is too
wcak-the one idea Of faith will not unite men
together. In isolated cases, much good has
been done. You are directed 10 this man, and
to that as having been saved by the temperance
society, but We say the danger to these very
men Is great should they lose their hold In
nine cases out often, backsliders are worse than
they were before.
A great objection to the one idea system Is
the lack of charity. Is there an object more
deserving Of pity than the poor drunkard, the
p"or helpless ine1,iate, who has not the moral
courage to abandon the accurscd stuff? Does
the fanatic Of temperance pity him, does he take
him by the hand, aud try to lead him into so
bcr pathss No, he win declaim of him as
poor wretch, ruined by liquor, prevail upon him
perhaps to sign the pledge, so that he may add
another laurel to his brow, but no more. Let
the poor inebriate be in want, let his heart bro
ken wife and destitute children be suffering from
starvation, the one idea total-abstinence fanatic,
who perhaps in his early life was little too fond
of the critter himself, now raises his hand with
indignant honor, and says, "thc drunken wretch
deserves to suffer-" Among the first is he to
levy upon his property, TO secure q trfling debt.
Talk not OF temperance reiormers, In most cases
their hearts are sealed to all good, ennobling
feelings. In total abstinence alone is combined
the essential virtues Of his heart. As long as
this Is 'he case temperance viii not increase
ha'ner serves 70 force men 70 the eon''c,
non that ihtemPerance alone Is the essence OF
all christian virtues, rather We say that shouid
not succeed. The missionary OF Thirst would
n"d lar more dimeui' enort 70 ehange the
hea1 oil such a deep dyed' concerted hypocrite,
'han 70 chanSe him. VINO conscious OF his error
at;ll .lha,..l a., IA
sun auhereu 70 H.
The subject Of the article in PutnAm's Month
ty deserves consideration, II men will have
stimulants, let IL be such a. will not poison the
body, and soul also. Let be such, as viii not
spread desoating ruin around and about. IL
on the other hand the evil Of intemperance can
bechecked only by prohibiting the use aitogeth-
er, then say we, and We are not afraid TO say II,
let us have prohib'eory law. Judge oNeai
during Count week delivered speech on tenn
peranee al TINS place, and MS arguments In avor
OF Maine Law, We are bound 70 say were
good. Every one who heard him, must CON-
H'''o" ., "e sais !" sp'''S :" 'o''.''