Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1863-05-15

poisonous draught was down, and before
he reached the end Of his journey, he
was the most boisterous of the company.
| hope no reader will envy my ride-par-
ticularly, when he is assured that not
glass remained in the coach windows.
It is difficult to conceive what could
have given rise to this most pernicious
practice among young men. 1t cannot
be the result of burning thirst for the
ardent, for Tat is acquired only through
long and habitual dissipation. Whiskey,
like tobacco, is always repugnant to the
first taste. That men should sometimes
! yield to the passions, which are a part of
their nature, is not a matter Of inscruta-
BILE mystery; but the delusion, that in
toxication confers manliness upon char
acter, is one of the most unnatural, as
well as most deplorable evils of this trou-
ble-stricken age. Who needs to be told
that intemperanee "unnerves the limbs"
and dulls the noble mind p Think
of every man in Christendom drunkard,
and think whether every such character
does not curse his Maker, and pervert
the whole object of his existence. Think
Of a nations councils filled with immoral
and incorporate characters, and then
think whether such nation be not al
ready cast into perdition 1t is sad, in
deed, to reflect how short-judging from
present prospects-the present generation
will come of fulfilling high and noble
destiny. The moral chapter of our his
tory is almost vacuum These are
worthy considerations for the youth,
standing between virtue and vice, ready
/ to embrace the latter.
There is no young man, LEI his condi-
ton or occupation be what it may, but
who has his bright hopes and his aspira-
tions-but who dreams of listening Sc
mates and applauding multitudes; or, per-
chance, of the grasping articles of the
cabinet statesman's portfolio or of the
triumphal marches of the military hero
and patriot; but, alas how few attain tc
the realization of these happy anticipa-
tons 1t is no reproach, young man, to
cherish wish to be great; for goodness
and greatness are ever nseparably inter-
woven. No man ever found his way to
the latter but by the instrumentalty of
the former and no fact is more demon
strative Of the utter RIGHTEOUSNESS of the
pretcnsion it is the object of these few
fervent lines to discourage
Just as true is it, that nothing is more
repugnant to the rules which should guide
the conduct of man striving to shine
as superior member Of the social circle.
Here, pleasure and happiness depends
strictly upon the maintenance of sancti-
ty, purity, and innocence. When these
are invaded by the rude hand of de-
bauchery, under the usurped or pretend
ed sanction of custom and fashion, then
there is time for the weeping and wailing
of all the just and religious part of man
/ kind.
A true gentleman man of will, of
intellect, and of Judgment man en-
joying the reputation Of useful and
valuable citizen, and receiving the respect
Of all classes--truly worthy character
lis known as much by his abstinence
from the excuses of intemperance, as by
anything else, and will always be prompt
cd to condemn and defeat the indecent
and railing innuendoes of the votaries of
fashionable, no less than of any other kind
Of Drunkenness
NorE.--I perceive that exceptions have been
taken to the structures on the " Eccentric ha-
bits OF wogld-be great men, contained
in my last article, and that some have been so
unguarded as to assert that they were Of per-
sonal nature, and the offspring Of pesonal
spleen aud malice.
To candid and intelligent readers no denial
Of this charge need be made and have wish
ed to call attention TO it, mainly, that 1t may
be seen how just were the reflections that sub
jet had led me 10 form. II gentlemen make
themselves obnoxious to criticisms whose
truthfulness they confess by these very com
plants, and place themselves within the mea-
sure Of denunciation, which applies only to the
improprieties and follies Of the age, in the
name Of the common sense Of mankind whose
is the fault2
No ono can question my right to give to the
public my views, humble as they arc on these
moral topics at any rate, If any one is disposed
TO do so, may say, with a very moderate esii-
mate Of my own abilities as conference.-the,
let him eate,Athese columns for that purpose !
shall continue, with the consent Of the Editor