Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1856-01-25

l. One source Of danger to the cigi' and
religious liberties of this country is larury
THIS is an enemy to any form of government.
II has been the overthrow of those who wer,
proof agains, the mighty armies of the earth.
Hannibal, the great Carthagenian general.
crossed the Alps with hundred thousand
nten, at Canne the great battle was fought
and forty ihousand Romans were slain
The son of Amilcar made bridge of the
dead bodies, aud as sign Of bis victory
sent three bushels of gold rings to Carthage,
taken from the fingers of the Roman knights
slain in battle. Rome was in bis power
But he retired to Capua, where the Garth
agenian soldiers soon forgot to conquer in
the pleasures of a luxurious city. Hence
it has been said, that Capua was Canna
to Hannibal. He did not take the city-but
the city took hnn and his mighty srruy.-
Luxury was thei. overthrow. And luxury
afterwards proved tie ruin of Rome herself
and other ancient republics. Let us not
hatter ourselves that we are in no danger
from this insnuating and enchanting Toe
There IS q false, leo fast:dious or squcam-
ish Refinement finding its way into the chur-
ehes, and even into the pulpits Of the coun-
tsy. and is soPping the very foundations of
q hrist ani;y. St. Poul said, 2 Tim. 4, s, A.
1.-The time will come when they will not en-
fiurs sound doctrine, but after their own
lusts shall heap to themselves teachers, hay
ling itehiHg ears," Sc. And az TO extrava-
CANT induigcnces in the pleasures of the ta-
bic, and the exhorbitant use of costly dress
aRacquipage; though tue crops should fail
and the times grow pinehing hand; though
many cflthe rich become poor, and merchants
become bankrupt though the pestilence
should walk la darkness and destruction
waste at noon-day; and though thousands
fall in the East and in the West or in the
North, one half the survivors would import
the most costly silks, cloths, brandies, wines
aud gswgaws-elothe in 6nc linen and fare
sumptuonsly every day, while the otler half
might go in rags and starve. Il is said that
ladies in New York spend annually millions
Of dollars for the single item of dress alone
LiceHtionsncss aud drunkenness are ever the
foul companions Of luxqry. The just res.
traints Of the law Of marriage, the Ink
which binds civil society together are out
Il J.. 81. ~ !
with impupity oftener than any other. and
the number Of illegitimlte children born is
becoming fesrfully alarming. More than
ten billions of gallons of rum have been
consumed BY the inhabitants Of the United
States since the signing Of tie Declaration Of
Independence, costing in dollars alone more
than fvo billions. This has sent seven mil
lions of drunkards to eternity Three
! fourths Of the paupcrism in the Tn ieG
I States are caused by intemperance; to sup
port which it requires ten millions of dol
lars. Three-feuriLs OF the crimes commit
ted are caused directly or indirectly By in
temperance. The depredations, appreden-
sions, imprisonments-thc trials and the
punishulcnts cost the honest taxpayers of
the country several millions more. This
added 10 the cost of the liquor, loss of time,
&C., would be money sufficient to make 90
600 miles of canals, build 1000 miles of
railroad, support all the colleges, semina-
ries and churches of the country educate all
the children, keep all the poor, and send
the Bible and missionaries to every heather
nation on the globe. Is it wonder we
groan under our taxes! Is it wonder We
have suehenormous national and state debtsa
Is it not wonder that We yet exist? And
why is il that this great foe to the country
is permitted to carry on his work of distrue-
tion without being physically restrained7--
/ Talk Of moral suason Nonsense, You
max as we'll talk of stopping cannon ball
with pslm-lcaf fan, or stop the craters Of
4Elna and VesuTius with bundle of straw
or convert tho evil to Christianity, as
tilk about stopping the traffic in rum by NOR
al suasion. Il any other foe IN the shape
Of fowl or beast, man or devil, had done one
teutp of the mischief that rum has done our
coustrymen would have waded in blood to
their arnp;ts to have driven him from the
country.
2. Another source of danger to the coun-
try is Pelfseai corruption. This is found
in all ranks of our off ce bearers, from the
chief magistrates down to borou gh consta-
bles. And if occasionally an exception is
found. one who has the nobleness of soul to
resist bribery and stem the 6esolating tide
of political corruption aud demagogueisnl,
in vinaication Of right, truth and justice, be
is ,soen forsaksn by ali the. numberless and
nancless parties of the country, considered
eccentric, aud laughed at for his pains. |
Ne might mention few noble spirits, pure
patrioA, who arc now as shiniag lights in