American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-08-05
For ihe LnncnsisI dira,is

For the Lancaster oirs.is.
| Ofal the phases OF mind manifested in
civiviliEed. chrislianized society, none has
filed me with mora astonishmen,, Il an the
pertinacity tenaciousness, with which the
people cling 10 the habit of drinking intox.
eating drinks; and Of tie almost entirs ao-
athy, which exists, in the better portions
Of community, on the subject. Our peo
pie are not wanting in efficiency TO push
forward the moral enterprises of the day,
and to originate and put in action. meas
ures Tor the general well breeding of the
condition Of the whole people. Prompt 10
enact and execute. laws 10 prevent and
punish theft. arson, turgl ry, and all crimes
which disturb the peace, or corrupt the
morals Of the community. Proper regu-
lations are made, for the education aud
moral training of the rising generau:n.-
And large amounts of money are raised
annually for the support and spread of re-
ligion: al of which are highly commenda-
Gle. The American people, kre also high
ly endowed with feelings Of universal
charity and benevOlence and generous hos
italily.
But should itatany time be spread a
broad, that contagious disease had made
Its appearance in our midst; as the small
pox. or cholera; or. that any of the endem-
ic diseases of the country, arising from
pestifc influence, was Indignantly sweep
ing off our citizens; with what alarm. would
the citizens start upon every hand. What
careful measures would be taken, to ARE 81
the plague What sanitary systems would
be enforced, to guard the public health
' and preserve human life. How the timit
would Ay from danger. as il to fly, and es
cape present danger, would ward off tht
!. unerring slaft OF death, which must soone
:, or later hit every one: or, that by SO do
n ing, they could OBTAIN lease of perpetua
d life, in this valley Of tears and thorns.-
d Poor frail mortal; your days are numbered
l. You cannot add cubit to your staure
= or gain reprisa, fr IN the king OF terrors
o But to our SUBJECT. We have in GU
II midst, an enemy moro dangerous. NOR
v subtle. more destroyiAg, than the pestilenc
d or all the bandits that inhabit The EARTH
" Let it be understood, that we mean the re
'e failing Of intoxicating drinks. to be drau
'a as beverage. We can protect ourseive
IS from bandits, or the common thief or bu
IN glar. Blu. this insiduous, deadly foe, is pei
O. nitted to live.openly in our midst. and
'r spread his poisonous temptations tsfol
no our sons, daughters, fathers, brothers an
NJ neighbors, and we are left without the ;
" Lbilily at present., to protect ourselves
10 eainst the consequences. Is it said, th
ae malignant diseases are contagiou2 M
less so, are the examples of tippling.
IS. it said, that peslilence peoples our cem'
OF tries? A drunkards grave can be counte
F for every one Of them. Will any one sa
in that mortality from disease fills the Ian
IL with widows aud orphans? The cry {
he the iatherless, and OF the widow, suferin
r. for bread; and the measure Of wretcbet
e, ness, which fills the length and breadth
an lie country, with all the lsngtheaed ehai
es of dcpravity and entitled evil, morally. ii
lie telleetual!y and physically, resulting fro
this habit. is transcendautly greater th'
ID all other evils that affiict society. Had v
nd space we would go on and show, how tn
curse fills our prisons and poor house
50. augmeuts greatly our annual taxation,-
HOW it causes waste Of precious time, al
irs prevents the advance and growth, Of CIV
is. rything that is ennobling. and that wou
better our condition. How il corrupts d
err morals. Supplies the intellect, undermin
- the physical health. Howit destroys s
ate cial and civil harmony. How it enters i
se> to, and influences Legislation. to the d
grace Of the name Of Democratic, or R
ge. publican government.
ce. But one hundred pages would not
up. enough. upon which to record the dam
ase ing evils Of this criminal practice, of de
,n't ing in inebriatiug drinks. / re.assert
conclusion, my astonisbment, that ciyiz
d." christian communities. suffer it to Exist
The blood Of its victims, will be called
nlIy at your hands. HOMO.
24o
and EEA letter from Frazer River gives