Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-05-01
For the Bellows Falls Times.
Crime the Result of Intemperance.


Crime the Result of Intemperance.
1t is estimated that the cause of nine
teen twentieths of all the crimes commit
ted in this country can be traced directly
or indirectly TO strong drink. Reader,
think of this What is the first step in
the path that leads to violation of lawf
Is it not intemperances The young man
is first taught to "wet his whistle" and
then he grows and expands with marvel
lous rapidity; he becomes what is famil-
iarly termed "f fast" He drives fast horses
and at their fastest speed. He expresses
himself in slang and indecent language,
calls his father "the old gentleman" or
"the governor" and makes what he con-
siders "big spread" He goes one step
further and he is within the circle Of
crime. Strong drink excites combative-
uess and destructiveness. Few men ever
become so hardened, SO depraved, a. to
commit murder, unless under the excit-
ing but morally benumbing influence Of
alcohol. Gibs, the Internal pirate, who
himself slaughtered over four hundred
human beings, told his confessor that
when they spared captured women and
children, his men, by becoming endeared
to them absolutely refused, before land
ing to put them to death, 90 that, by .
law of the ship, he must. He says: II
shrank from the deed till fairly intoxica-
ted, could make them walk the plank
at the point Of my sabre, and if they hes
itated, delighted to push the cold steel
right into the quivering flesh and laugh
at their shrieks." Weare told that Booth,
before he committed the dastardly act
which plunged our nation into deepest
grief and, almost despair, fortified himself
with frequent potations of brandy.
Ye parents who keep liquors in your
houses for general use, and thus daily
expose your sons to the temptations to
drink, consider these facts Think of the
possible result of your conduct; think Of
that noble boy, who is now your pride
and joy, who you fondly hope will be the
prop and solace of your old age, think Of
him as a miserable abandoned drunkard! !
wretched, degraded, vulgar sot I! oh!
think of him as convicted felon incar-
cerated within the bleak walls of pris-
on, think of him as expiating some aw-
full crime upon the gallows, and turn from
the course you are pursuing before it is
too late!
Youwho bring Intoxicating liquors into
your families, to use however moderately,
are cherishing in your bosoms vile
deadly viper which may some day fasten
upon one Of those loved ones its poison
Gus fangs and cause your heads to bow
with grief and remorse. Parents, be-
seech you, be convinced of your danger!
If you value your own or their happiness
cast the vile thing from among you!
Young men, you who are contracting
habits OF oyer-lndulgence, pause IN your
mad course and think of the deeds you
may possibly perpetrate when under the
influence of stimulants, when your reason
is befogged by strong drink think Of
the thousands, who, when apprehended
for crime, have uttered the sad confession /:
II did it, but was drunk"
How fearfully suggestive these words
How fraught with regret, misery, and
dissipated hopes Oh! whiskey drinker.
turn back from the dizzy precipice, upon
the very brink of which you stand Re
trace your steps ere the irresistible
whirlwind of passion, in an unguarded
moment plunges you into the black, un-
fathomable abyss of irretrievable ruin
and degradation DuNNELLE.
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