Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-04-28
For ihs rremnn, journal. ~

Tor me 10 ieel ulH lenCb VI atteupNhS W
pen an article which is to be laid before the
public, and which is subject to the inspection
and criticism of great many readers, espcci-
ally those not favorably disposed to the sub
| iect upon which write. But my feelings
have been so long narrowed up by the un-
hallowed sight Of dissipation and crime within
the precints of our village. that cannot long
er refrain from expressing my honest and sim
cere sentiments and opinions upon the subject
For any being not acquainted with the crca.
ton, object and destiny Of the human family, it
would seem, from the actions Of the majority
of our race, that we are mere m ichines ot
pleasure, founded for no higher purpose than
the qualification Of our sensual appettes and
passions. II this were the design Of our be-
ing, what great mul itude would glorify and
honor their Creator. But we are taught both
bv nature and revelation. that we were crei-
ted for a more noble and exalted end. The
first lesson taught us in revelation,is that we arc
" created in the image Of God" not physically,
but intellectually, and to great extent. NOR
ally. Now, this being our condition. our 1uty
on Earth is very evident. ltis simply to i'm
prove the talents which our Creator has kind
" given US, and train up those god.l>c quail
lies which VIC all by nature possess IN great
er or less degree, for the entrance upon that
eternal existence in the future, to which we
are all Fastening. But to what great ex-
tent DO SO ne Of US dcvia;e from this pIin path
o. duty? We give loose reign to all our evil
passions, and not being content with our own
destruction, entce as many as we can to JOIN
us in our mad career.
But enough Of this will now speak in 4
main feature of my subject l mean INrEM
rERANcE; or in other words the use of spr t
uous liquors Where, | ask, can we find :
more debasing and soul-kilng vice than thi:
one that has as much influence in genera
ting other evils and crimes, or one which i.
the means of destroying us many prcciou,
lives? answ r, there is none in the Who'll,
catalogue of human fli,ings. Now, let us fo
moment consider the subj ct 1t ruins :
man physically intellectually, and morally
In the FIRST place it weak ems his entire physi
cal frame, and units him for any useful labor
Secondly, his intellectual faculties, sympathiz
NJ with the physical. like wise become imbecil'
and inactive, except the morbid action conse
quent upon the brain being unnaturalIy excl
j. ted by the use Of ale ,ho And thirdly, hi
moral f,cultes His soul is blasted, anC
"what will man give in exchange for hi
: soul |" 1t is truly IA lamentable thought. tina
: IL man. created and endowed with II principle
; that wi Il dxst throughout the countless aye
of eternity. should batter his eternal happi
: ness beyond the grave, for few days, or year
at most. Of dissipation and unholy enjoy
. The question may here arise, is this the essen
5 dcted to ntcmperance answer it is, an'
for the subslaEtation of this broad drclaIa
Il ton. have no other argument to adducr. no
do want better one. than u point to th
end of eUery IN IN who has ever been laid in
drunkard's grave.
And here let me ask Mr. Editor, have W
no remedy for this devastating evil that ha
caused, and is continually causing so mucl
sorrow and mou ming throughout the land
NJ ct assuredly we have Blu, where is ii t
be found? Have not the Ministers Of the Cos
pei. Of every denomination. thoroughout tn
world, from week to week. for years, pre-
:, claimed the dangers attendant upon indu
gencr in this vice, AMI warned and exhorte
the drunkard to forsak" his cups, without pre-
ducing any material eff ct? Has not III
press, also, thrown out column after column
warnings. embracing mournfui examples {
the fearful end of miserable beings who IN
nualy perish hv this destructive and viciou
habit, without lessening the nurnher of thos
who "tarry long at the wine?" And hav
not all good and phi an,hropic men bre
aboring faithfully in past years to suppre'
) the growing tendency ofthis evil, which is no
sweeping like an avalanche over our devote
10 land. gaining new strength every dav, an
IS with overwhelming force, consigning tn
!, bodies OF thousauds to an untimely grave. al
sending their souls unprepir+d into 'he pre-
= encc of their Maker? And does not the lid
n stll roll onward with an almost resistless force
ID Wha then, must we d. when We see all the,
At expedients fail in producing their intended e
- feet? Must we stand by, as idle spectator
q viewing this awful destruction of bodies an
Is souls, without even raising our hands to sta
the violence Of its powers: No! There y,
remains one resource for the amelioration {
T. our condition, and that is the strong arm {
The Law" Experience has taught us that tb
e evil can only be effectually reached by Legi
el ation. and the sooner it is legislated upon un