The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-02-24

in anguish; broken hearts, that hoped
but hoped in vain.7 It has sent the
weapon into the bosom of the friend
clothed families in mourning, rags and
ruin crowded the burial places with
drunkards' graves. KkAaft
8. Some may be led astray by others
example over the social cup.
Mankind are initiative. Often a
practice is commenced for no other
reason than its being pursued by
others. The boy acts as his father
does; the daughter, as the mother
one man, as another of some note in
the community: and thus, purely be.
cause of example. "A 8TEI
Admitting that we shall always re.
strain ourselves within certain bounds
are we sure, five indulge, that oul
example will not influence others, who
will go beyond the limits of modera-
ton? One man may with case rur
about the roof of some stately build.
ing but, can all men do so with safety
The disastrous effects of example
have already been sufficient to make
every one wise. Go to the grocery
go to the cutters, 60 to the penitenti.
aries, go to the Warehouses, 60 to the
grave-yards; and what ia the history
of many of their inmates? They first
slipped, because others slipped; then
they occasionally became intoxicated,
because others became occasionally
intoxicated; then they regularly
drank deep, because others drank deep
And at length, influences produced
by example have made them pests in
society. driven them to crime, hurried
them to the grave.
6. If good can be done by abstain
Ing in the social circle, it is noble to
abstain.
Some current sayings and practices
are not founded OIL truth. They look
plausible, claim a respectable parent
age, become popular; and, in some
cases, those, who would strip them OF
their false robes and slow their naked
character, are considered either as en-
thusiasts, or weak-minded, or not
capable of approaching splendid &C
complishments.
One practice, which has been pop
ular, is that of drinking with others
and inviting them to drink. This has
been called noble and he, who would
not do il, has been considered mean.
Here, let few questions present
themselves. What makes the practice
noble? Is it the expense? Then, a
shrewd man may become noble with
out much cost. Is it the act itself?
This cannot be; for, often the bascst
motives have actuated those engaged
i'm the practice. Is it the intention ?
This, indeed, is what makes it noble,
if it has any claim to the appellaticn.
On the other hand, is refusal to
engage i'm the practice mean? True,
a mau through downright stinginess
may refuse. Yet, as in the other case,
the intention must be considered.
Then, suppose man of social feelings,
generosity, and appetites common to
his race, behOldiny the disaster pro-
ducrd by the use of intoxicating
liquors, and believing that his refrain'
ing from their use will exert good
influence upon others, resolves to alb
stain, and puts into practice his reso-
luton. Is that meanness? He denies
himself popular custom, not so much
for his own sake, as for others good.
Instead of being mean who will not
say, that it is noble?.
And now put the two cases side by
side. The one follows the practice,
either through want of reflection, or
inclination. or custom; the other op-
poses it, that he may benefit his fellow
men. The one, whether he intends it
or not, is helping TO augment the
stream, whose pillows have already
engulfcd tens of thousands; the other
is endeavoring. to stay, in their on
ward course, the waves of ruin. One,
though he may not wish nor even be
thinking ofsuch result, aids in max
ing many ignoble, who might other
wise be noble; the other contributes
to tie effort made to prevent and raise
from degradation those already astray,
or treading the path ending in shame.
Without intending to flatter those,
who regard favorably the course now
urged; nor tc disparage those, who
do not thus view it; still, magnanim-
ity is claimed for those, who on pro-
per grounds refuse to partake of the
social cup of intoxicatiOn. Those may
sneer, who choose; still, it is noble
act. Some may possibly thus practice,
while they lack the exalted motive,
which actuates others yet this cannot
lower the position on which they
stand, who for others good refuse to
follow pernicious customs.
He, who gives up his privileges for
others sake, performs noble deed.
He has a fellow-feeling for his race !;
he has, by that very act, improved his
ewn character; he becomes blessing
to others; he helps to form an oasis
amid the wastes of earth. Whatever
else he may be, he deserves for this
the credit of magnanimity.
Z. While many means have been
tried to prevent or cure the evils of
social drinking, the simple element of
abstinence is effective.
Physicians have been applied to by
the friends of incbriates to mingle GER
tain ingredients in their liquor, that
they might become disguised with its
taste. Business connections have been
broken up, that the infatuated man
might be relieved from temptation.
Friends have been exhorted to use
all their influence TO save those whom
they loved, and they have cxerted
their energies for that object. Some
have been sent by their parents far
away from home, that other scenes
might divert them from gratifying
the vicious appetite. Marriage unions
have been FASTENED, i'm hope that the
delightful influence of beloved wo-
man might keep the lover from the
inebriating cup; but alas! in many
instances has the poor victim failed
not only of eflecting cure, but ell
tailed on herself curse. which was
only escaped when she found herself
a widow, or went down to the grave
with a broken heart.
The difference between abstinence
and what is generally called moderate
drinking, i'm their influence toward
curing inteppcrance, is like actually
killing a serpent, compared with stun
ming or wounding it slightly and then
leaving ii to recover from the shock
or wound. In the one case, death has
done the deed. In the other, it is a
serpent sti,L and will soon again show
its faugs. So, whoever practices alb
stiuepcc is safe. He is out of the