Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-04-17
Temperance.
NO. TX.

NO.IX.
Though as a people, we are now suffer-
ing greatly on account of lntempcrance in
our country, still, we are in a far better
condition than we were years ago. when
our fathers. who have passed away from
earth, were numbered with the living, and
engaged IN the activities of life.
Many are now living who can remem-
Der. when nearly every Grocery store in
our state was grog-shop; when every
Hotel kept an open bar; when it was sold
by the way-sde, and at the corners of the
streets on all public occasions when it
was used freely at weddings to add to the
the SORROWS of the afflicted, and reconcile
the smitten heart to the dealings of Proyi-
dence.
More than this: there are many now
living, who can remember when men Of
small means purchased their liquor bv the
gallon, and kept it constantlyin their hous-
es; while others of larger means--includ-
ing many ministers of the gospel, purchas-
ed their family supply of liquor by the bar
rel. This was the common practice of
those who moved in the higher circles of
society.
On all public occasions. such as raisings,
launchngs, trainings, and similar gather
ings of people, intoxicating drinks were
carried to the spot ''reaty mired."
Everywhere it was as free as water and
not onIy did the fathers and their sons par.
take of it freely, but matrons and maid.
used it as beverage, and as stimulau
also.
Sprituous liquor was regarded as uni
vcrsal panacea for the ills of life. from tht
: infant in its mothers arms, to the venera-
: bic father or mother of four score years.
But great change has come over on
countr0, and especially over the good pco
pie Of New England.
/ AS a result of long and pcrsistcn
: struggle, we now have Wholesome law il
, each of the New England States, limiting
and restricting the sal. of liqaor, and i.
our own State, proAitiitug It's sale as a bev
erage. The laV. in oar ovu State, if Ell
forced according to its true intent. vii
ci oseup all the gf0g shops in the State G
Maine.
In New England, we have a Church bas
: es' on Temperance principles; and ne MAJ
! using strong drink as Il beverage. can coln,
; Within the pale Of an religious aenomina
,ion. provided he is known to be even
"molera:c lyin.,cr.''
In but few families is the article KEEP
and used AS Il beverage; ana even the ilo
t,ls observe great secrecy III its sale.
The Groccrs in our State abandoned tllt
traffic years ago, and those now living
are among the foremost men in the tenn
perancc ranks.
In our own State it is rarely used a
weddings and never at funerals, and the
man whose history is not at fault, mus,
acknowl dge that intemperauce is a re.
treating foe; loath indeed to quit The field
but beaten, and driven back at very point.
LtemPerance the great enemy of oul
/, race, is being vigorously pursued by the
army OF temperance men and women, more
than fore score thousand strong in the
State of Maine; with their rapidly increas-
ing numbers hey are bearing down hard dup-
on ali his works, aud las the Lord liveth,'
the cause of temperance will achieve a
great and glorious victory;
We may at times become discouraged
and feel perhaps that the battle will be
lost. But in such an hour, if we lift oul
hearts in prayer to mans unfai!ing Friend
who sittcth in the heavens ''and doeth all
things WE'LL he will give us that substan,
tial "ail and comfort so necessary for the
further prosecution of our work.
MUNSoN.