Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-03-18
Temperance and Reform.

Temperance and Reform.
Rumselling and rum drinking have been
on the increase in our village for sometime.
Many of those who formerly were strictly
temperate. or were so considered, OF late
have become constant drinkers, or visitors
of the places where Intoxicating drinks are
sold. We have no disposition 10 Interfere
with the citizens private rights, nor do we
purpose to institute crusade against any
unfortunate iRebriatc, nor raise file OF
men to tear down the many places of re-
sort for the poor fellows who drink rum TO
their own injury and that of their families
and neighbors bat we think it a public
duty to call the attention of those interest
ed, and who are not. to the great increase
of m-seling and rumdrinkins. Very
much Of the misery and poverty that we
meet with daily may be traced TO these
causes Every pull Of the bell rope at our
private residences. which when answered.
reveals poor and ragged children asking
for bread, tells only in part of the daily
misery inflicted on the innocent, and points
ont but partially the future in store for
hundreds from this cause.
We do not expect TO see the whole world
transformed from vice to virtue in a mo-
ment: nor do we expect TO see such
worl, yer, much advanced by dealing in
harsh names. or by the cheap and unphilo-
sophical method of coercion only. Men
and women are not made good or bad in
day. They are not to be turned from their
habtual customs and habits in the twink
ling of an eye.
The Anaconda system of tactics will
work admirably in conducting moral
revolution, though it signally fails in
military one. The work must be COM
menced OH the outposts first and the lines
gradually contracted until the monster is
stranglcd. in such a warfare. those who
at first We're on the cnemF,s side, will
gradually fall into the Union ranks and
make tie hest soldiers Of the army.
one grand cause why there is so much
misery, crime, des;itu,ion, nebria;.on, is
that there is 50 little sympathy one with
another. The cry of distress cause, only
a naomentary thought, OF passing notice.
Tho language Of the business man 10. 'an
my brothers keeper
Il.
den; and eagacious, nor are their moral
perceptions equally sensitive and active:
therefore We must not expect TO see all
alike prosperous and happy. But if more
interest Vas manifested for the welfare and
success Of those around ", We should soon
witness Q marked change for the better
If we are not all we'll adapted to the Office
OF ministcrinE agent, and a wise coun-
scllor to those in need Of help, the town
would save money in the end, by appoint
ing some one who is. aud Who will wisely
exercise or fill the Office Of oycrsccr. in It's
largest sense. Many a man might be say
ed from spending lis earnings fcol;slily for
the day. ~ 4 kind word of counsel in the
morning. Many one would find his good
purposes strengthened, and his daily toll
Hghtcned. by i sympathetic word from one
who he knows IS Interested in lis welfare.
How many dollars Of the returned soldier
might he saved fora rainy day, instead of
being tloushtlcs'ly squandered. if some
one deeply interested il him shnuld advise
him, in this, his day Of hilarious joy, to
take care Of his hard earnings. In our
large cities truant boys are hunted up. and
sent 10 >ehool. This. instead Of being an
Interference with tic family government,
is public @atr, and is assisting parents to
govern ;leir c.t!dreu. Iiow much work
Of this character might he found in or
Midst. How much good, a systematic and
long continued labor Of this character
might be accomplished, Bur We have run
our train off the track so We must finish
the journey this week, or turn i; over to
Others.