Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-03-20

@AS ONh vi bNllS lhtn h0uiAptloA
Associations, which met III Philadelphia
last Summer, instructed its permanent Ex-
ecutive Committee to prepare and publish
paper on intemperance, addressed to the
young men of the country. 1t is now pub
| lished:-
YOUNG MEM
There is great work for us to dow
special work, which must be done now. A
work in which every young man can do
something A work which can never be
done better than it can be done now.
Our remaining great national curse must
be fought and conquered. The power of tho
| STRONG DRINK interest must be broken. The
spread Of drunkenness must be stopped, or
we arc lost
The putting down of drunkenness, and
the reforming of drunkards, is work worthy
of Him whose name we bear
How can we help on with the worki
l. Let epery young man set an example Of
abstinence from strong drink
There is no occasion for healthy man to
use liquor at all. 1t does not strengthen the
arm; it does not clear the head; it does not
brighten the eye; it does not make the foot
step tirmer; it does not make the man who
uses it more industrious, more useful, more
lovely, or more worthy member of society
1t does not make him more of gentleman.
Even when sick, strong drink is better
avoided, or used sparingly, under positive
medical prescription. Many men make
drunkards of themselves by continuing to
USE as a beverage, strong drink which has
been prescribed as medicine. Young mau,
you do not SC continue tho use of epson
salts, castor oil, or mustard plasters, after
recovery from sickness.
To drink liquor is dangerous. To abstain
from it, in spite of temptation to use it, is
noble The temptation is presented every
where. In the restaurant where we eat our
dinner, the cut-gass decanters of fiery poi
son face us like batteries posted for our de-
struction; in the social gathering, the mix
ture Of alcohol and logwood, which bears
the high sounding name of some celebrated
wine, is thrust upon us under tho guise OF
hospitality and good cheer; at the wedding,
some intoxicating mixture is set before us,
and we are told that we are guilty Of rude
ness if we do not partake Of it; in the family
closet, the jug of brandy, or the bottle of
vile "bitters, " invites to the private pursuit
of a course which proves in the end, even
as bitter as gall and wormwood.
If by abstaining, you can prevent one
friend or brother from becoming a drunkard,
the sacrifice, on your part, of the pleasure of
pouring filthy stimulsnts down your throat
will not be in vain.
g Deal eery kindly uih The dvunkdrd
There is general disposition to kick the
poor fellow, to speak harshly to. him, or, at
best, to let him alone, as degrad ed specimen
OF humanity. This is wrong lie is be-
sotted, it is true, because of his beastly ap-
petite; but that appetite has beeil goaded on
by the seller of strong drink, and the seller
of strong drink has been allowed to pursue
his iiendish business with little hindrancc on
the part of Christian people, beyond an oc
casional (not very forcble,) remonstrancc
The drunkard fallen though he may ne, i.
our brother. We cannot get rid of our re
sponsibility by saying, Gam my broth sr',
keeper?" 1t is our business to do all we rai
to reform and restore him to decency ami tt
Christianity, and what W do must be dcnt
in the spirit of our Mayter.
3. Help dotpn NTH Ute rum trade.
, It's profits have been so great that it la,
become mighty power in the land. Nc
outrage or indecency is too great for it tt
/ commit. For gS.in, it makes merchandise o
the souls of its victims; it ruins families; i
oreaBs up tho peace of households, ii make
WIDOWS and orphans; it fills almshouses
lails, and pe'nitentiaries. 1t fattens paupe
S graveyards with the remains of its victims
. 1t not only controls primary meetings, elec
tions, and legislative assemblies; but it i
protected by law to such an extent, that
while ii is permitted to make wrecks of men
their outraged widows have no recourse OF
i. the destroyer of their happiness.
c The slave trade was bad The slave auc
T. tions were horrible. The dealer in huma
J. tlesfl was voted to be low wretch, VIII
c could notgain admission into decent society
= The liquor trade is, if possible, worse Til
!, bnrtering of a mans soul across a bal
IS Counter, for glass after glass of mean whisky
f. Is fully as vile as to sell his body by auction
o AS the slave.dealer was held accursed, SO IL
y society lrown on the maker and the seller
G Wholesale or retail, by the hogshead or b
1t the small, of distilled perdition, until ever
y vender of the poison shall, by force of publ
~ opinion, if not of law, be driven out of
Is lie OF crime and dishonesty into some decen
e business, on which he can consistently as
L the blessing of God. To this end we must
. a. Audken the people TO action.
e Present indications show that the peopl
r. are beginning to think on this matter as the
n have not thought for years People wi
listen to addresses and lectures on the sui
V Ject, as they have not listened to them, an
= VIII crowd to temperance meetings as the
c nave not before crowded. We dare nc
= neglect such favorable time for folowin
:; up the work as this point, the present to be
n What, then, is our duty?
$ 10 use every possible individual effort, i
q personal example, in writit ig, speaking an
/: aboring for the reform of dI unkards and til
Ii suppression of drunkenness
10 labor as bodies of CT tristan men,
:, arouse the people by public meetings an
v otherwise. Nowork comes lore Legitimate
h " within the sphere of Youn Mems Chri
e tian Associations than this. No work ca
: be moro readily DONE No work promise
If better or speedier results.
y Open your halls and churches. Call III
4 people together. Get your best speaker,
4 M fnNp