The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-04-03
Philosophy Ct Intemperance.

~ P" a correspondent Of the Mansfield Times,
writes thus Oh the philosophy of intemperance:
The crisis in the drunkards life is at the very in
,ipency of the Of ardent spirits; for aer the ap
petite has been far vitiated as to have acquired
relish for the and stimulus Of Intoxicating drinks,
in nine cases out of ten his fate is irrevocaby sealed
as if he had already slept in drunkards grave, with
infamy for his epaph; poverty, wretchedneSS want,
oboq1y and shame the legacy bequeathed to bis fam
ilv We repeat it. the point of danger, to every man,
is at the very commencement of the use OF intoxica
ting drinks. 1t 10 the breaking loose of the first
flake of snow from the mountain peak, that causes the
avalanche which, gathering strength as rolls on, at
length buries whole haInies and villages in ruins.
Disguise rs the pride of may, the best security
is the absence of temptations the best safety lies in
fear" No one with the reason Of man ever dreamed
when he commenced the of ardent spirits, of be-
coming a druukard. But unfortunately, before he
suspects that danger broods Nigh he passes the bound
whence his steps never be retraced. Total absti
nence is the only tower OF strength, the only citadel
of refuge the only place OF security against the dam
ger of drunkenness. See that pleasure party So
sweetly gliding along the placid bosom OF the lake
with thoughts tranquil as the sleeping element upon
which they ride; as bright the mellow radiance
which the evening SKY filings back over the expanse
of waters Not breath disturbs the cain not a
speck dins the prospect; not sound is heard but
the echo OF their wild merry laugh, it dies away
upon tie far distant shore of that lake. which, Graded
i'll the bosom of mountains, and luled to rest By
ZephvrS sleeps with the qmetuQe OIL an infant SUM
bars. Imperceptbly to themselves, they are moving
on to death; and yet they dreamed not of danger.
But bark what sound is that which breaks in upon
their deusve dreams of security, and ar0uses them to
sense Of the fate that awaits them: It is the roar
of the cataract they are fast nearing. Death imme
diate and inevitable, stares them III the face! One
wild shrek Of despair, and all is over, as they leap,
with the laundering tide down tic awful precipice.
Let US ALL then set faces against the vice of IL
temperance. The age in which we live, the relations
that we sustain to each other and to mankind, and the
exalted privileges that We enjoy, demand ii at orr
hands and bid onward, in work that promises SO
much of good, without any alloy Of evil II fail
in this DUTY, let bear in mind that weakeC-
ing the staff Of age drying up the fountains Of do
nestle bliss, multiplying widows and orphans in the
land and filling their hearts @ith sorrow and their
habitatous with poverty and mourning. Let not the
moderate drinier fold bis arms in anced security.
To him ne would say, tarry not where you are, but
while You yet free, fee away; for though you see
it not feel it not hear it not volcano threatens to
open at your feet. Slumber not in your deluSiye
dreams Of safety, lest, when the cry is heard
cling the approach Of the enemy, you awake and find,
that while be slept The strong has been shorn Of
his strength; aad now, without the power Of resist
sace b3Ts his neck to the oppressors yoke.