The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-09-29
AMOUNT or SALES on RErAIL LIouoR pnALERs
$1,4S3, 49l, ,865


Look at the sum total; except we had it sin
figures which do not lie, it would be incredible.
Near fifteen hundred millions of dollars were
paid last year in this land, by those who pur-
chased alcoholic liquor at retail We should be
rich people to endure such a drain. It took
four years Of destructive war to accumulate the
immense national debt, of less than three thou
sand millions of dollars and we stood aghast
when the expense reached two millions day
But our topers and moderate drinkers swallow
in poisonous draughts four millions of dollars
day, and quaff our entire debt in two years!
Fifteen hundred millions of dollars-what
was obtained n-return? Such an amount Of
money should have purchased corresponding
benefts-food, clothing, shelter, education, all
the comforts necessary for millien and half
of families, allowing each to expend a thousand
per annum What did it purchaser Countless
cups of poison, to injure health, to shorten life,
to bloat the body and craze the mind, to empty
the purse and deprave the heart, to unfit for
time and undo for eternity? Itwould be deemed
impious waste to throw, each year, fifteen hun
dred millions Of dollars into the sea; but that
were wisdom and profit compared with the folly
and loss of exchanging that sum for intoxicating
drinks, in the train of which come disease, pow
erty, crime and death.
How it makes one ache to think of the good
which that money otherwise laid out in 1867,
would have accomplished! How trying to re-
member the struggles of good men to sustain
schools, colleges, theological seminaries churches
hospitals and other institutions of highest neces-
slty, toiing, saving, practicing sore selfdenial,
while sum which would have endowed forever
fifteen hundred universities like Harvard or
Yale, or would have given the Gospel to the
world, supporting minister for every commu-
nifty of thousand, the earth over, has been
squandered in doing men harm in body and soul!
These statistics reveal incidentally, the strength
Of the enemy against whom temperance men con-
tend. What must be the power which has an
annual revenue Of 81 500, 100000, cheerfully
paid Think of the immense capital invested in
dstilleries, saloons, liquor, grain, and other
things connected with the manufacture and sale
of alcoholic beverages, and receiving such prince
ly returns. Is it surprising, that good men
should wish to put down this waste and destruc-
tion with a strong hand !; or that they should be
resisted to the last by bad men, who insist upon
their right to squander thus vilely, the property
which might eesy give happy homes to all?
The National Temperance Society expended in
1867, about $4,000. The National Intemper-
ance Society, expended 81 500, 100000! The
devils supporters pay the most literally. Whis-
key rings are never out of money; there are al
ways funds on hand with which to purchase
favorable Congressional action, and to buy up
State Legislators. The prospect does not look
encouraging. We have Goliath Of Gath with
whom to fight. But if God be with us, sling
in the hand of stripping, and a smooth stone
from the brook, will suffice for his overthrow
Christian Observer.