Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-03-27
Temperance.
NO. 6.

No.6.
Intemperance is q great Educational
evil, We profess to be the friends Of edu-
cation. We look upon general intelligence
in the patton. as one of the principle foun-
dation stores on which rests our republi-
can form of government.
Asa nation we are too intelligent to le-
gallze' or even t,lerate, for any great length
oftime. institutions or errors. which threat
EN- the Liberties Of the people, or which
are designed to sap the foundation of our
democratic form Of government.
Ihe preservation and prosperity of a
true democracy. do not result SO much
from any scheme or policy of politicians,
or eve> statesmen as from the intelligcn;
purpose, and correct action of the people
An intelligent people will approve orve-
to the action Of their public servants. and
their decision is final 1t is decision that
cannot be reyoked, or eyerruled by the su
preme court of the nation.
The people intend to be right, and the
more thoroughly educated they become.
the more safe aud sure will be our repub
lican institutions. But intemperance is
the great and powerful enemy of educa-
ton. The poor drunkard cannot educate
his children if he would, aud he has bu,
little disposition to it if he could His
money is appropriated to the qualification
OF his own 'ppetites while his children
grow up in ignorance, and become the mere
dnpes ofdcsisning politicians. Now ask.
Is 1t not historical fact patent to all. that
wher great moral principle is involved
In any Important question that asitatcs
tie nations. that the inebriatrs of our
States are found arrayed against the NOR
al features of the question!
SO far as Incorporate men iniure the
cause of education they do it-not SO much
from apurpose deliberately formed, as frcm
the habit of.intemperance itself, by which
they are kept in poverty. and necessarily
become its practical enemies.
As the man who puts the torch to his
building will suffer the loss of property
so the man vino introduces ,lr ,nkenness
into his family, will from necessity rear up
his children in ignorance ifnot in vice, ana
thereby contribute to the general igno
rance of the COUNTRY,
The true friends Of education, should.
let their teaching. their prayers. their gen
cral lnilacncc AND their votes even, tell in
iaNor OF the cause of temperance.
In proportion as men become, sober and
have time for careful thought, they become
Interested intle education Of their children,
and contribute TO the common cause OF
in a great and growing nation.
AS we close up the grog. shops in the
State, We FL up the schools; as we soher
aud reform parents. We educate children.
by so doing the power of the pulpit. the
Of the bar. and the skill of the
medical profession, are greatly increas d.
More than this, community well educa.
ted. will detnaUd actual capacity, and ac.
lnlre attanmcnts, in all their leaders.
teachers and advisors. As the demand
viii appear reasonable, it will Cn coun-
try like oursl be choerfully and pra.np.ly.
met
There are earnest men who see the ell
rvatel position which they must occupy IN
the literary and scientific world, that they
may meet the reasonable demands of the
people, and they will strive to reach iha,
position and there are TO questions how
ever intricate. but that they will grappir
with, with an iron will. until mysteries are
solved and victories Won. Nothing within
the range of human possibilities will be
left undone, that is necessary to aid them
in attaining tQ that enineEce thu, thy 50
much covet--an emincnce of position
fron which they can exert an influence
upon tbs AMERICAN public, directing the
thoughts and moulding the feelings OF the
people. But against all this, intemper-
ance is ar aged: and every lover of educa-
tion should feel that he has a special com
mission tc do all in his pawer, to Danish
black intemperance from the land !; and as
he goes forth in the 1ame of "Israels
God, he will find victory turning upon
the side of reform and human pro .ress.
MUNsoN.