Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-01-29
IOommunieAted.l
THE TEMPERANCE REFRIGERATION,

VHH VEmEEhAMCh AAAHOAAhA - AOANs
Why does it not prevnil9 Why are not
the rising generation redeemed from the
appetites and habits creating intemperancef
Who can answer these questions truly, and
help us forward in our labors for the eleva-
ton of our fellow-men2 When we reflect
on the untold misery, the crime, the degrad-
ing, brutalizing effects of intemperance, the
sufferings of its victims, the immense loss OF
life and property, the cost which the tenn
perate and industrious have to pay for its
continuance in their midst, the danger to
the lives, the property, and happiness OF the
temperate from the victims of the intox1cat-
ing cup; often turned to raving maniacs,
reckless of the lives, happiness, property or
indeed of any of the rights of their fellow
men. When we seriously reflect on the real
and positive evils intemperance imposes on
every community where it exists, the ques-
ton comes back with all its prominence,
why are not the causes of internperance re-
moved from the pathway of our children, 90
that when they arrive at maturity their
happiness may not be blighted by the null
dew of this pestilence, which blights the in
tellect, eorrupts the body, and blots out the
image of God from his highest creation. 1t
Is the opinion Of some who have given much
thought and deep study on the evils afiiict-
ing humanity, that Ignorance is the evil OF
cause, and knowledge the remedy. Now
intemperance has cause from which grove
this blghting Upas, poisoning at its fountain
80 much Of the happiness and prosperity OF
mankind. Surely that cause can be reached
and removed, and the evil prevented. Is II
not of the most momentous Importance to
us who desire the happiness of our children,
the prosperity of our country, and the per-
petuation of liberty in our land, that we
search out this cause and remove it at any
cost, so as to rid our nation of its blighting
curse forever.
Now, if ignorance is the cause, let us get
knowledge, the remedy, and apply it, and
remove the cause, and intemperance will die
with its victims of our generation. Why
should we stop for moment to count the
cost of so important work, for our children
and fellow menP The time, labor and money
spent in this work, weigh lightly in com
parison with the immense benefits resulting
TO our children and nation, in the accom-
plishment of our great purpose. Many mil
lions of children have been born, and have
grown up, since this great temperance CUES
ton was spread over our land; the drinking
habits of our people, in hundreds Of thou
| ,do af t,g rnfn nd fbirtu n
forty years ago, and the intoxicating cul
! banished from tho homes of millions Of ou
people; yet, to-day, intemperance is cuttinl
} its broad, deep swaths into the grown u
and rising generation, In spite of the grea
labor of vast organizations in our land, de
I voted TO the suppression of this vicei !
f spite of their efforts to protect the youn
from the snares of this tempter, thousand
7 of our young men, yes and many of ou
young women, are drawn into this VORTEX
G and slain on the altar Of intemperanc'
g sacrifices to this Unsuitable demon, who sti
q societies abound, and vast sums are pal
r good men to preach righteousness and ten
5 perauce to the people, and occasionally SON
n of those preachers come out boldly, an
s attack this demon with all the energy Of the
d souls, and now you would think he wi
d surely be destroyed and our land deliVere
1t from this curse, but he laughs their effor
r to scorn and builds his altar near the
e doors, sometimes within sound Of the voicI
10 of their preachers, and calls some Of the
worshiners from their churches Yea he hi