The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-08
lntemperance.

trusted that persuasive Souls ulay ISSUE
who are not only replete with the dl-
vine affiatus, but who are reasonable,
philosophical and physiological VINO
will seize the dilemma by the hornS
and trace it back to the roots; who snail
convince as well as move. Extrava-
gance in measures is not surprising
when we consider the magnitude OF tne
subject, and that it has come to De
classed among the monster passions OF
the age. No painter, however fertile ID
Imagination, no sculptor OF most enVla-
BILE reputation, no rhetorician just from
Parnassus, has, or can, justly describe
the miseries which grow out OF this
habit. Bows save their pennies and
purchase Herewith the deadly beverage;
older lads 20 deeper, and through it are
lured to other vices; their comparative
seniors couple it with excessive smok-
ing and befog intellect and body; the
middle-aged man resorts to clubs and
bars, is tempted into speculation which
leads to forgery, and the like; the pau
per octogenarian clasps jug or bottle,
sells his garments, if need be, and soaks
his life away. He will condescend to
any device; fill his boot, hat, stockings,
handkerchief, suspend phials about his
person, to possess himself of this con-
Stunning flame. He defies family and
officers, and makes his wits, sharpened
to one point, serve his base design
How, under its spell, pecuniary means
shrivel up like bit of leather upon red
hot iron! The once free abode is mort
gagged more and more; the pictures are
sold; the instrument, if there Is any
whatever jewels and plate renaini then
follow clothes piece by piece till de-
t.. NNa en-
porter becomes the drag; domestic peace
is destroyed; the wife's heart is broken;
the anchor, for whom she had ventured
highest hopes, left parents, doting rela-
tives, sunny France, fails her entirely.
Reduced to beggary, unused to menlal
employment, skilled only in accom-
plishments, she turns to the right and
left to see what she can do. She under
takes boarders, refurnishes; he steals
now a chair, then q table, and so con-
stantly annoys her. He is an offence,
and drives off those who would lend a
plank to the struggling partner. She
cannot succeed, so tries sewing; does
! hard, tedious work, and strives to sus-
| tain herself and little ones. He is OBJ
scene, filthy, demoralizing TO the last
degree. The children run and hide from
him in terror.
What havoc is thereI The angel of
| happier times is a mere phantom now;
1 the babes he had tended so carefully are
/ targets for his arrows; the former we'll
stored larder is empty savea bit of meat
or loaf he has bought for his own use
with which none dare meddle. Mighty
God see him throttle the onee-reigning
bellel spring with knife to stab her
anathematize the moaning toddlings at
her side, and whirl headlong against the
stove Is the picture complete? Nay,
there are bitterer dregs in the cup; dis
ease at last sweeps in, and fever attacks
the innoeents; they wane and wane,
and must finally eXhale. Does this
soften him? No, for he is stepped in
that which maddens. He is silly, ag-
! gravating, defiant, insulting. He
throws himself on the pallet of the
dying cherubs. While he is insensiblt
from his debaueh the arm of an angel is
let down, and one by one the idols are
caught up. What sight is that Nov
the flood-gates of the mother are opened
seldom was agony, like unto hers; th'
lowest depths are broken up; she pour
herself out in hysteric strains, now viii,
with frenzy, then subdued as the tone
of lutte. In the midst of this the in
= ebriate awakes. He calls for his scions
they answer not; he grasps their hands
they are icy cold; partially in his senses
, he curses himself, and vows never NOR
to sell his manhood; he Is penitent but 70
l a moment, then leaves the room and seek
r his comforter. Drop the curtain; tn
2 residue of sorrow we will not rehearse
IL is too much for mOrtals.
r Does any say this is fancy? We an
r swer il is only a tithe of the truth; tn
r worst cannot be told. 1t would freez
2 the blood in the veins and make tn,
T cheek scarlet. There is not pape
enough on which to write the effects o
intemperance, nor ink sufficiently blacl
to represent its dye. No novel can fully
/ depict it. 1t eats out the marrow anC
makes ravening wolves of splendid or
ganisms. The once beautiful eye take
2 on the glare of the demon; the firm
, tread is transposed into the palsieC
: limb. Prosperity, generosity, enthusi
: asm, are converted into penury, avarice
: indifference.
| Our streets are dotted with its vota
! ries; the cars and public conveyance
are foul with its vapOr; dwellings are
hiding places, seething with riot, dis
: cord, want and ruin. Health and quie
: are sacrificed; the victims beeOml
: charges upon the community. Who cal
t wonder that from time to time som,
prophet arises, crying in the wilderness
= that women upon whom the eros
presses so heavily leave their routine
! occupation and go forth seeking to save
1 Let them beware lest they, too, fall un
! der the speciOus guise of opium, chloral
restoratives, whisky, and the thousan,
l nostrums recommended by those wht
? should read human nature better. Self
7 control once lost we can easily prejudg
: the future. Those who understand tn
D best acquiesce as easily rs those mos
ignorant. 1t is a siren with lasso, an
the loops are spread everywhere. Th
temporary aid to professors, singers, &C
e tors, orators, over-wrought artisans,
e evanescent, and leads to q maelstrou
q from which there is rarely any outlet
It crowds hospitals and alms-institute:
J, and is the prolific cause of eighteenth
# ofaIl the misery in the world. 1t spoil
e disposition, disentegrates judgment, an
: leaves melancholy wrecks to strew th
e land. 1t is gangFeneS leprosy, and an
e epithet we choose to employ. Woul
that its savior might arise with hea
: ing in its wings. Then the desel
! would once more blossom, and rose
!; would be sweeter than ever. With il
q downfall would go tobacco i'm all i
d forms, and so an immense expenditul
v for that which is worse than naugh
which pollutes the atmosphere; provok,
j malady; and so poisons the breath thG
:, we shrink from those who should be b,
i loved acquaintances, and shiver an
r turn pale at the prospect of nearer an
i dearer relations for our daughter
q Surely this is legitimate labor for I'll
: sex, and Heaven speed the course of an
who have penacea to offer, an antidol
o for this terrible blightl-CODlnol
a Icedlth.