Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-07-22
Drinking when one pleases.

81 drink when / please, and let it alone
when I please" is a common self-excusing
remark of those who indulge in the use of
intoxicating drinks. T. would seem from the
manner in which they employ the argument
that they have an idea that there is another
class of drinkers who sometimes take their
glass when they do not please to do so, or,
in other words, at times when they know it
is not best for their own comfort and interest,
and these they consider much lower in grade
and far more debased than they. 1t is rath'
er in a boasting manner that they use the
stereotyped expression, as if to prove their
power Of resistance to crafty a pungent
thirst that all are ready to agree to follow
those who practice drinking to any extent.
Now, it must be extremely difficult for such
bcasters to determine satisfactorily to them
E selves the time to drink, so as to preserve
both their sobriety and their much Wanted
personal independ ence. While they drink
only when they please, they entertain no fears
2 Of passing the bounds of respectable sobriety;
{ but unfortunately the experience OF every
e. DOOY, proves Xxx dldlL ing AoSVS ChhHS SUI NAS
! the conditions of the human organization and
such the nature Of stimulating beverages, that
the slightest indulgence in the latter is sure
to arouse ip the former a desire for a repeti-
ton of the dose not only in frequency but II
increasing quantities. This being a truism,
the man who drinks only when he pleases,
must find it very difficult to determine after
a time when he really does please to drink
If he should happen to take a drink some
~ time when he did not please to do SO, tina
n would be a sacrifice of his personal indepen
or dence, a quality that he is as desirous t
We maintain as the privilege of taking this gro
"a when he pleases.
rer When and how often ought a man to tax
m his dram so that he will be safe, and hold i
en- possession the two qualities indicated above
nc This is a question easier asked than answe
ed. If it were not for the Gu mulative pro
TO- critics of such drinks, a man might drink
trt, ggffttef u1u age without ever being drunk, b
ice it is past the endurance of too many, ala,
ned to feel perfectly satisfied to-day with VIII
10 was an abundance a twelve month ago.
'rt Hence, they find, upon a little reflection, tn
the somehow they please to drink oftener TIL
i'd they once did, and in constantly ~increasi
IN quantities and they still assume that tn
the occupy terable ground of safety because tn
or drink only when they please. This is d.
8 in gerous ground to occupy; a man may dri
: - for a time only when he pleases, but if
70 persists in this course the probabilities
ons that he will soon or late find that an unc,
but querable desire is raging within him for Il
which he knows is rapidly working his ru
and that he pleases to drink now whene
he can get it. This he finds is consumi
him like a raging fire, and yet he is pow
Leslie cannot resist the temptation and
I'M
goes on headlong to a speedy and certain
en- struction. This drinking when one plea
less, is a dangerous position, some of the strong
n Is have fallen from it to the utter degradat
aroa of the hopeless drunkard, and thousands m
ex- will follow.