Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1873-09-04
FOR THE HERALD AND TRIBUNE I
The suppression OF IntcmDer.
ance. Ways and Means.

In an article published in your last
issue, a brief survey was taken of the
ravages of Intemperance, and, particu-
larly in our own town and State and
attention was called to the fact that com.
paratively little had been accomplished
toward its suppression. In resunling the
subject purpose to consider the ways
ana means to be employed in the extirpa>
tion of this wide spread and appalling
vice. 1t must be apparent, at least, to
the thoughtful mind, that the existence
and sway of Intemperance depend solely
upon the Liquor Traffic. And the expe>
rlencc Of the past in the Temperance Re-
formation, conclusively demonstrates the
fact, that the fearful power of Intcmper-
anco can never be broken until the Liquor
Traffic is abolished. The great object to
be accomplished, therefore, is the des-
tructlon of the Liquor Traffic, and the
means that will secure this result, are
the proper means to be employed for the
suppression of 1ntcmpcrance. What
these are, | now proceed to inquire.
The Liquor Traffic is great moral evil
which fluids its chief support ina vitiatcd,
anenIigttened public sentiment. Remove
this support and the downfall of the traffic
is morally certain. An important means,
therefore, for the suppression of Intem.
pcrance, is tie education Of tie public con-
science. But how shall the public cons
science be educated? l answer, by a
vigorous and fearless presentation of the
truth. The truth mvst not be withheld.
Whatever it may cost, of treasure or of
blood, the truth must be declared--de>
clarod boldly, plainly, pcrsistently. The
Liquor Traffic and those engaged in it
must stand before the world in their true
character. The men who sell LIQUID
poison aud distilled damnation" to their
fellowmen and reduce their families to
beggary aud wee, rannot be whitewashed
into respectability at the expense of
truth. The Traffic, that robs the inebriate
of bis money, his health, and his reputa-
tiOn that takes from his wretched wife
AMI worse than orphan children the
common comforts of life; that destroys
the endearments of home and embitters
the lives Of its inmates; that fills the
world with murder and crime-cannot
obtain place among the honorable pur>
suits of mankind. The woHd should
know aud Jtcl this.
Every truth, every fact, aud every
tnaC can to adduced against
this gigantic system Of robbery ana
murder should be proclaimed. The
light should enter and reveal in its hid
eous deformity every feature of this
iuiquitous Traffic. Thus its true charac>
ter should be unveiled to the public eye,
that its villainy may be seen and its curse
abated. BY such an application of the
truth must the public conscience be en>
Iightened and corrected.
But. to whom is committed the duty of
'huS enlightening the public conscience.
First Of all, to the Christian Ministry
This will appear from the character they
sustain. They are not only ambassadors
If mercy to fallen men, but, they are, also
eachers of truth and righteousness. To
leclare the truth, to expose error and vice
md to inculcate pure morality, arc du-
les saeredly incumbent upon the Chris
ian Min istry. They cannot, therefore.
without proving recreant to the high and
sacred trusts confded to them, fail to
lift up their voices against this fearful vice.
Upon this as upon every kindred SUBJ
jeCt they must cry aloud and spare MOI.
Brethren in the ministry who read these
ines, have you done your duty in this
PARTICULAR? Ifnot, in the name and fear
If God, begin at once! For the sake
# the Church, for the sake of humanity,
or the sake of your own souls, begin now
}! That the thunders of every pulpit
n every land may be heard against In
emperance and the Liquor Traffic!
But the Ministry are not alone in this
york, To the Church is given an ap,
'rcpriate share of this duty. BY virtue
f her glorious mission she is pledged to
he cause of Temperance. She cannot
emain neutral in this contest against err
or and wrong. Much less can she give
er sanction either by example or pre-
ept to Intemperauce and the Liquor
'rafic. Let the Church, then, in view
{ her solemn responsibility in this matt
er assist in educating public sentiment
gainst these monster evils.
Moro anon