The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1867-05-21
From the Advocate.
Temperance, "A Threadbhte
Theme.
nv n. RuTHt1uoRp SINCLAIR,

Theme.
ny II. RUTHERFORD SINCLAIR.
heard a man lately say, in conver-
sation which turned upon the topic oi
temperance, "Poh that's worn-out
theme perfectly threadbarel
looked at the speaker CLOSELY for a
few moments, and could not but observe
that his principal failing seemed to be
that scarce enough water passed his lips
through the day to keep his tongue
straight or the hue Of his nasal organ
exactly fesh-colored. His clothes were
dirty and ragged; his hat looked as
though it might have served as foot
ball for some amateur club; his toes
peeped out from the creyices in his mis-
erable boots; while his filthy looking
linen showed the absence 5f that self
respect and natural pride that every
sober, temperate man should have to
present, at least, u respectable appear
ance before his fellow men.
But his clothing | should not have
noticed SO much had ii not been that
his general physical appearance SO
strongly eorresponded with the appear
ance Of his garments.
Although a young-looking man, his
hair was prematurely gray almost
white - and evidently had not seen
sight. of comb or brush for many day
His face (alrcady furrowed over with
the lines that vice so surely writes upon
the countenances Of her victims, was
dirty, the short serubby beard upon his
chin by no means redeeming his other
wise wretched appearance; his eyes
were bloodshot, after recent season Of
debauch; and / turned away from the
picture with mingled feelings Of pity
and disgust.
Ali" said | to myself, think the
subject of iatemperance, my friend,
might better be called threadbare and
worn-out, for surely your long practice
Of the vice should have thus made it.
1t is certainly time that it was worm
out with you.
Poor, miserable, wretched sot, hurry
ing fast toward that dark and disgrace
full grave-a drunkard's! Such an one
prating of the subject of temperance be-
ing " threadbare f" | wonder that bis
lips even crookedly, aided his tongue IN
tile utterance of such words. And yet
it is lamentablc fact that such is the
sentiment of large body Of the Amer
lean people; SO depravcd seems to be
the public taste, that the popular cla-
NOR is raised in favor Of that which de
bases and lowers cur humanity, while
it opposes q system which, il embraced,
would exalt us to standard Of moral
excellence and purity that would better
become the creatures Of n God who
made man in bis own spiritual image
and likeness.
Notwithstanding the fact that our
Temperance organizations are large and
fourishing, that the advocates Of the
cause Of right are numbered by the
thousand and tens Of thousands, still
we must acknowledge with regret that
we are in the minority, that we are the
mere drop in the bucket, the single
grain upon the ear; that while we do
count our numbers by thousands; our
opposers are almost tegtoa in number
past counting had almost said.
Take our own city of New York. and
what sight Of moral degradation does
it present to-day
Go through these streets Of ours
Glance at the walking dead men and
women, already rotton with corruption !
Behold the youth Of fond parentagc
reared in Il home where all that was
good and pure and noble has been
taught where a kind father and loving
mother have striven 10 guide their boy
into paths Of virtue and morality;
where all the genial influences Of good
home have been thrown about him in
whom their life hopes have been center
ed A fathers good counsel and Il
mothers prayers have followed him.
In his infancy they watcaed tenderly
over him. In the hours of his illness q
mothers hand smoothed the ringlets
from his forehead, cooled his feyerish /
brow, and ininistered as only mothers
love can to the comfort VI her darling
boy. A father looked forward with
fond anticipations ID the day when his
son should repay all these careful watch I
ings with the highest gratitude thai can /
be shown 10 q parent a noble, pure,
good life
Alas these hopes afe blasted now.
He I'll a drunkard; and their boy, in the
accomplishment 81 his own ruin, Is fast
bringing the gray-halred father and
mother down to their erhges III sorrow.
But who il thus wretened, tilthy-look
ng creature, whose unsteady gait and
wandering uncertain stare betray the ,
presence II rum Size wears the dress
i uomaa Dress did say surely j
hese rags that 50 seantiiy hide her ]
hiyering form from Us can not be the j
,alb If our pure womanbood. No ties !
re not Tbey are but her best qfsfs Z
8es for dress tle ft tyre of that SIS