Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-05-06

Mr. EDITORIALS your former corr espon
dent fPn Belmont have almost ceased TO
write for your columns, and seem 20 be hol-
ding silent communication with their own
thoughts, or have other more pressing du-
ties to perform. Then for fear the memory
of our little village win pass into oblivion.
and beco ne extinct in the minds of the pub
lie, I will give a few items of news; though
not of much moment, yet perhaps some
while perusing your interesting paper, may
slanc e at this, ard see that old Belmont
still exists. a.. ttEf Hill I
Spring has come upon US with her warm
s sunshine, and pleasant showers, thus beau
tifully over. spreading our La ndscape with
bright prospect of an abundance of all that
our physical wants require. and its pure.
balmy breath appears to inspire all ANNA
ted Nature with new life. The little merry
songs,ers seem to rejoice at its coming,
with their sweet melodious notes Of praise.
Each tiny flower lifts its low head and sends
forth its pure fragrance tie meet the invigo-
rating rays of springs calm sunshine; and
man seems to have become inspired with
new hope, and wear a brighter countenance
than they we're seen to wear a few months
ago. Business quite active here-money
not so scarce as fornerly-or, at least, we
can hear tell OF a few dimes occas ionally.--
Although we seem to be blessed with many
pleasant prospects of a bright Future, yet
we may not realize its coming; ali Of those
ffe.in piring hopes may ere long become
obliterated. and leave many responding
hearts in'gloom. '7
J. Our village is still cursed with the liquor
traffic; not many days since, it was our mis-
fortune TO witness the effect that Strych-
nine Whiskey had on three men in our
streets. They were seen Keeling and sway
ing along from one Of our eoggeries, where
:hey keep this hydra headed monster by the
barrel to destroy and brutalize human be-.
ings, as I gazed with pity and disgust, as
they reeled through our streets. but ex
claim, ais i.2reality, or is II but a dreamE
Can man created in the imagetof his God.
thus degrade himself below The level of the
brutet" And again, is he SO "lost to virtue
lost 10 manly thought" as to deal out this
poison to his fellow man, and still not
change his outward form to that of a dem
ona The highway robber, as he prowls
around at midnight's lone hours. commit
ting his deeds OF guilt is less blameless,
Than he who puts theIwine, cup to his broth
er's lips. The former robs him only of his
gold-the latter OF his soul, lis manhood,
home, friends, and all that is dear on Earth
leaves him a degraded outcast, at the mer-
cy of an unfeeling word, and then sad re-
Elections came to my mind while viewing
this scene. Perhaps rthee is some proud
Mother, Wife, or Sister, who d~olefully
mourns their degradation, whose imploring
voice has oft been heard to say, "Touch
not, taste not, The accursed cups" and yet
that kind voice is unheeded, and a profigate
son or husband plunges still deeper and
deeper, in the Labyrinths Of .nteHperance
and vice. sal '- l.r . a-si=.
Can nothing be done to stop this desola-
ting curse1 We nave laws but it seems they
are not enforced. There is always some
quibbling by which the guilty get clear.-
Our Legislature have adjourned without do
ing anything. The subject was not impor-
tani enough to claim their attention. more
than to lay it over until next session.. We
want the Maine Law or one similar; make
the liquor the evidence, and then something
can De done; but while dram drinkers and
whiskey sellers have to be depended upon
for the evidence, there will not be many
CONVICTIONS.
A FRIEND TO TEMPERANCE.
BELMONT, April, 1858. .