Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-11-19
From the Chester Standard.
immortality of the LIQUOR Traffic.

River have regarded the use of ardent
spirits under the caption of morality
and We think have plainly shown that to
use intoxicating liquors, even in moderate
quantities, is immoral We do not pre-
sumo that any one, in this enlightened day,
viii pretend to deny that drunkenness is
immoral. The blasphemous language, the
obscene orgies, the murders, the thefts, and
every other crime associated with drunken
ness is sufficient evidence of the immoral
ity of drunkenness. We know it Of truth,
that tie effeetpss dru akrpnqssis teaethroneI
reason and make man mad This in it.
self, is wicked-for God created man after
his own image-endowed him with reason
and every other attribute, that he might
glorify and enjoy him forever. Does the
drunkard glorify Goo? does he enjoy God |?
So far from this he places himself in open
rebellion against God
But ardent spirit, taken in any ouanti-
ty, disturbs healthy action in the human
system, and in large doses, destroys life.
1t is an enemy to the human constitution
and, cannot be used as drink, without
injury. 1t is poison, as is manifested
ACo ShCSVo ~ ID SulCIudl-COISGuuHDI
to use it is immoral. 1t is a violation of
the will of God and sin in magnitude
equal to all the evils, temporal and eternal
which flow from it. If it be immoral to
use ardent spirits as beverage, what may
we say OF those engaged in the manufac-
-ture and sale of it? Is it not mans duty
to love God ? to honor God /? and can he
love and honor God whilst he is dealing
out wretchedness and woe, disease and
death to his creatures? 1t is mans duty
to love his fellow man and seek to promote
his welfare-but can he love his fellow men
whilst he deals out poison to them that will
destroy both soul and body? 1t is mans
Guty to render a valuable compensation to
his fellow men in all his transactions with
them. Can the sale of Intoxicating liquors
be vindicated by such standard as this
Every man is morally bound to urSuesuch
J course Of life as shall promote the well
fare Of the entire community in which he
lives. Can business, which tends to pro-
mote crime and pauperism and misery, to
make widows and orphans, be vindicated
by this standard? Why do men engage
) in this TRAFFIC; is it because it is supposed
1t will be benefit to mankind, that it will
promote public health or morals OF happi-
) ness? No, but it is engaged in and pur-
sued solely to make money
Now the question arises ia it right for a
man to make gain for himaelf whilst he
gives bis neighhegs ;,asls I, L.;
t No man has ever known Grog Shop to
: benefit any community; the contrary of
: this invariably obtains. 1t is an employ
S ment which tends to counteract the very
! design of the organization of society. The
!, structure of that organization is one of tie
e best adapted instances of design of beney-
q olence anywhere to be found. 1t is on
r this principle, an employment fitted to pro-
= duce subsistence for man and his family
8, will not interfere with the rights and hap
Il piness of others. It may bepursued With
1t out violating any of their rights or infriDg
es ing on their happiness in any way. Nay
le it may not only interfere with their rights
OF and happiness but it will tend to promote
y directly their welfare by promoting th'
n happiness of the whole-for example th
is farmer may pursue his employment withou
1t interfering with the rights or privileges 0
I'D the mechanic, the merchant, the physician
'e, the lawyer, the schoolmaster or those en-
n gagged in any other honorable or usefu
er employment, but will on the contrary d
IS rectly contribute to their welfare and haI
nd piness.
! !, The Mechanic, in the pursuit of b
NJ employment, does not interfere with th
CS3 oc +bo ho Morohont RI
nu Physician or those of any other profession
eS,' The Merchant, in lawful traffic, not on
VI VI supports himself and family but dill ect
~ ~ benefits the community in which he live
ae by desirable and healthful exchange
- commodities of various kinds; the san
...o' may be said Of every other necessary al
~ useful employment Now we mainta
~ IL that the traffic In ardent spirits is a vlol
nu' tion of this wise arrangement. 1t saps f
no' foundation of the social economy.
NY benefits the dealer only. It fills his pock
~, ~, with money, whilst his victim gets nothil
ID. in return but the sensual qualification
d. gulpiug down that which can do him
good but harm. If every man should a
on this principle, it would sap the found
3 tion of society.
nov Everyman is morally bound to purs
ond such a business as to render yalual
uob consideration for that which he receiy
o;ld from others If he receives the fruits
the the industry of others, common equity
quires that he return valuable conslde
ton for the same thus the merchant r
SAID ders to the farmer the production of OF
op- climes, in exchange for the growth of
Tor farm; the manufacturer, that which
Tou1 needful for the clothing or comfort of
ould agriculturist, the Physician, the result
your his professional skill. All these are val
USED BILE considerations, which are fair and b
says orable subjects of exchange. They al
mutual accommodation they advance
thus interest of both parties. But it is not
he'd with the dealer in ardent spirits. He
sMv tains the property of his fellow man,
hoo1a what does he return? That which
49,. ~. tend to promote his real welfare? I
ee' which will benefit his sfamily? That wi
hei' difuses learning, morality and. dome
n, as comfort around his family circle Nc
IKE all: but on the contrary that which
grades a mans Godlike position to
Ho, with the brute That which impeverl
this his estate, corrupts his heart, and det
his mind. That which produces Po'