Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-01-19
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In writing for the public print, every
writer should have In view the promotion
and Advancement Of the best interests OF
his fellows, ss well as bis own mental and
moral elevation. Every individual exert,
an influence in rociety to a greater or lees
extent, either for good or evil. and for the
rssul: OF that influence he is held responsi
BILE by bis Creator. With a view TO the
benefit Of those who are addicted 10 the use
OF ardent spirits as a beverage, the writer Of
this article proposes pennings few thoughts
on the subject oe intsmperance. Among
the many evils that are prevalent in our
land perhaps none is doing more to spread
devastation and misery than the immoderste
use Of intoxicating liquors. In country,
town, and village, we find young men who
are in the habit of drinking rum or bad
whissey, and who are always ready to excuse
themselves BY saying there is no harm in
taking dram twice or thrice day. Inter.
rogate them upon the subject and they tell
you that they are "privileged characters"
ond.they will drink when they please, end
as much as they please. We seldom find
one, however, that is willing 20 admit that
If he continues IN his present course of tip
pling, that be will become a confirmed
drunkard, and ultimately bring upon him.
self and friends all the horrors of drunken.
ness. Let such young men beware! con.
slider and reflect to what extent their priv
ileges extend Gin this respecD either in a
civil or mora point Of view. The civil laws
of our country do moi guaranty TO any indi.
vidual the right TO become a drunken sot,
or to destroy his mental and physici ial pow
ers, by an excessive indulgence C fnny kind;
but they do guaranty TO every citizen, Ger
tain rights and privileges, which remain in.
violate, so long as the mora. law ION which
civil law is bused) is not violated Every
honest and CANDID mind will confess, that
when human being degrades himself to
the level of brute, by committing an act
which he knows is in direct opposition to
his better jud dyemen., :he moral law is vic.
lated. 1t follows then, by plain course Of
reasoning, that il an individual persists in q
practice which must soon destroy both his
mental and PHYSICAL powers, he wifully
and deliberately violates the law which
says that no drunkard shall inherit the king
dam of Heaven. We believe it is impos s..
iblc for man to drink even pure liquors
twice or thrice day without suffering se
verey in constitutions; and when be trans
mts this impaired constitution to his son,
who in turn ;mpairs it still worse, by the
sight to see that the man will soon be de-
stroysd, both physically, mentally and NOR.
ally. Ask the drunkard when he first con-
tracted an appetite for whiskey, and he will
tell you (in a majority of cases) that it was
in the days of his youth, tasting by Titles
and at every opportunity, aud for all diseases,
until the desire has become so strong that
he finds it almost impossible 10 break Of
and eform. How important then that young
persons, especially, should guard against
this evil, and direct their appettes into a
different channel. Permit Us then to suy
to every one that is tempted to drink rum,
shun the ways of drunkenness as they would
the poisonous reptile.
Friends of temperance can not some
thing more be done to arrest this stream of
death that is flowing over our land, destroy
ing in its onward course many of our best
citizens, and from beneath its dark waters
are heard the walls and lamentations of the
widows and orphans Of those who have fall
len victims to its destructive elements. Let
us 60 to work with renewed energy in this
matter, and never cease our efforts until
every rumseller shal be compelled to leave
off his ab6minabe traffic and seek some more
honorable calling in this life, that he may
be able to prepare for th,t which is to come.
Sewellsvile, Ohio. l.