Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-04-10
Original 4apus.
AN ADDRESS,
CONCLUDED
roR the SPIRIT OF THE AGE.

The members Of family in which there
exists the least predispostion to pulmonary
diseases should shan the bottle as they
would the simeon Of the desert. Where the
least tendency TO consumption exists the
development and fatal determination of that
disease, is FASTENED on with giant strides
and in many instances where no such predis-
position exists, hat disease is induced and
rendered fatal, by the use Of ardent spirits.
No class ofmen suffer more from hemmhorages
Of tho lungs than the drunkards and to live
in constant dread that every breath he draws
may he followed by gush Of blood from his
mouth and nostrils, is surely the most deplo-
rable situation in which man can be placed.
The brain, this grand and all important
organ 10 which man owes the excellence Of
his mental faculties, his capabilities Of inn
proyement and his ascendancy among the
works Of God is neither the last or least in
the terrible sutlerngs caused by that fell de
stroycr, whose ruthless hand, if | may so
speak, would drag an angel down. Inhamma-
tions of an acute and chronic character, effu-
sions into the cavities, and hardening of the
substance OF the brain, are all caused by the
use Of alcoholic drinks, and are followed by
u train Of symptoms, the most horrible, pain
ful and dep,orabe.
The rayiug maniac, the furious mailman,
and the silly IDIOT are easy transitions
from the drunkard. Paralysis, partial and
general, will often occur; and apoplexy stands
over ready to send him staggering into the
presence Of his God, to be aroused from bis
drunken lethargy by these awful words, De
part from hence, drunkard cannot inherit
the kingdom Of God 1t is with intemper-
ance, my friends, as with every other sin that
man commits in this life; retribution is as
sure to follow transgression as that night fol-
lows day. We find as legitimate conse-
qucnce ofintemperauce and caused by it alone
a disease so terrible in its nature, so peculiar
ly painful and horrible in it's symptoms, that
we cannot help but recognize in it the hand
Of retributve justice. | need scarcely tell
you | mean dclirium tremcns. If any of you,
my friends, have ever witnessed death-bed
scene in that disease, you have an impression
on your minds you would give worlds to eff
face. You can never rtcur to it without feel
inc a sickening sensation Of horror thrill
through your very soul. But who can de-
scribe the agony of the besotted wretch, who
rc,9 baboid4 , id TIE isTSi5SroacR Of That fSiGGit
Rend Of intcmpCrance and its horrid host OF
loathSomc and disgusting objects to harrass
and annoy him, he feels It's very footsteps
press upon his brain, its burning hand grasps
his heart. and It's hot thick breath pulling
fast in his nostrils he struggles with the de.
mon till reason tcrror-strickcn, takes IS flight,
and he becomes gibbering maniac to laugh
his wild ha Ina, in chorus to the helish hendS
his disordcred Imagination has called around
him, Did iutcmperGncc atlict man with no
other evil than this single disease, II should,
in itself, be sufficient to deter any one who
is not mailman or a fool, | say mailman
or a fool, from ndulsiug IN habits that may
bring upon him the most nouid Of maladies
in the dire catalogue of human Ills.
The effects Of ardent spiri's on the mind,
that nohlcr part Of man, are no less terrible
than the wreck it occasions of the body
Loss Of memory, deficiency Of judgment, OBJ
tuscncss Of intellect, hack of energy and de-
preston of spirits al indicate mind encr-
waited and ovcrthrown, and all these effects
are produced Ivy ntempcronce. To the mind
Of the drunkard, all systematic discipline be
comes extremely irksomc, its energies and
elasticity decline, and its powers Of applica.
ton. perception and reflection become weak
and tickle. \ mind that might have graspeC
the rolling spheres, and balanced heaven, may
present but a gloomy wilderness Of dying
thought, filed Wi'h phantoms Of terrible re
tribution that may,
Lead him back
In mourufu mockCry over the dismal track
Ofhis past life, and point out every ray
Ofhope aud truth, hos lost upon the way.
Through the shattered remnant of menta
ruin that hangs like a funeral pail over hi
mind. he NAV then review the career OF tn
drunbard. It's opportunities neglected, hour
missrent, faculties ninproved. talents pres
ttutcd. all bis god-hke attributes perverte
and abused, the spark Of the divinity cXtir
guished within him, and his glorious brit
right rrostitutcd ~ perpetual shame. Ala
off i'm the misty distance he my behold til
sunny spot Of his youth, its haIcyon four
its halo of rapturcs, its electric tlasheS OF 10.
its buoyant hopes. its crystal purity, its III
diving love and heavenly innocence all tias
for moment across his soul, Ike the shade
of an angels wing, but like
The dew ON the mountain,
The foam ON the
The bubble on the guuntain,
They are gone ana forever
The drunkard once had his innocent and ha
nv moments as child, he must have play
in the sunshine with spirits as light as t
golden curls that toss on the wind. His
lie hands must have been clasped in pray
nj hi. mothers knee, and his young hea
taught 10 abhor the soul destroying draugl
Still will the celestial purity OF those days
the happy thoughts OF childhood hours, :
like holy incense TO heavens high court a
plead with angel tongues for mercy. Me'
for the druukard, oh ! my God, my God,
dealing out thy justice temper 1t with mel
to the drunkard.
The effects Of ardent spirits on the mo
character Of man. all must admit, for all
behold it. Bldv, mind, soul, all corruI
and destroyed by intemperance. There l.
other evil that can afihct man with s.
dreadful consequences. Oh, what an ab
Of peace, and love, and joy would this ca
be il il were extcrminatcd. Where 1t spre
its dusky wings, the brightness of the d'
sun is lost, and the flowers that spring ul
the thorny path Of life are blghted under
banefu shadow. 1t seems as if sent by
enemy of mankind to blast the happnes!
all who yield to its influence.
He puts by the cup Of holiness and JOY,
And drinks, carOuses deeply In the bowl
OEdeath: groyels in dust polutes, destroys
His soul II miserable 10 acquire
More misery deceive; 10 be dcceived
Strives labors to the last To damn himself;
Turns desperate, shudaess, groane, blasph
and dies,
And sinks where could he clse but to endles
And drinks tho wine Of Gods eternal wrath.