Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-04-27
TCoMMUNIcArED.
ST. IsIGoEs', ND,
April IA, 1876.

Messrs. Editors considerable inter.
est has been manifested by some in the
recent discussions published ia your
valuable paper upon the evils of intern
perance. To w. b. T. belongs the hon.
or of first bringing this subject to the
attention Of the public, and whatever
good should inure therefrom, to him
will be due much Of the credit as its
first head and spring. The evils of in
Temperance are widespread aud certain
tainly to be deplored. Many q family
which might otherwise live in content.
ment and plenty, surrounded with all
the comforts and luxuries of life, are
by the means and through the demon
alcohol reduced to poverty, distress and
want, while the head of the family III
some instances with his boon compan.
ions revels in the excitement of intoxi-
eating drinks, thus depriving Of his
presence and fostering care those who
have the greatest claim upon his socie-
ty and whom he is under the most SOL
emn obligations to cherish and protect
And why will man thus yield to this
invisible spirit of wine and put an enc
my in bis mouth to steal away his
brains, and with Joy. revel and applause
transform himself into such a metamor-
phosis There is probably no such
fruitful cause of misunderstanding,
quarrels, pugilistic encounters and even
murders as intoxicating drinks, for the
IL.
to the demon wrath, and one imperfect
ness brings on another to make man
despise himself and often ends in the
most deplorable consequences. But in
what has just been said we have been
considering drunkenness merely from n
worldly point of view. Turning to the
inspired volume, we find it there record
ed in characters ineffaceable that " a
drunkard shall nerer enter the Kingdom,
of Hedren" The evils of intemperance
in this life, however great. in cumpari-
son with this dread sentence pale into
ipsignificance. Alas can man find no
more rational mode of enjoying and in
teresting himself than in an inordinate
indulgence Of this Intoxicating bever-
age? Think Of the many sources OF
amusement and intellectual ENJOYMENT
with which we are blessed and tell me
il this question can be answered in the
negative? The interesting books, re-
fined society, the beauties Of nature
IN fact, the whole creation Is one grand
panorama spread out for mans delight,
comfort and enjoyment. With the
mind stored with fund Of anecdot,
and useful information, would it not
be better To meet i'm social converse for
each others pleasure, amusement and
mutual benefit, and instead Of the ex-
citing, Intoxicating stimulant which Of
ten dethrones reason and dcprives us of
that clearness Of intellect SO necessary
to communicate properly our ideas to
others, let the "God-given, sparkling,
clear. cold water" be the beverage i!
This creates no fumes in the mind. en-
gendcrs no quarrels, leaves no unpleas-
ant "reminiscences, and. what is more,
depletes not the pocket of its earnings
or possessions. would not, however,
he understood as casting censure or
blame upon all who lore the taste of
wine or Intoxicating drinks. Far be il
from my purpose, for to do so would
be to include, perhaps, nineteen twen-
tieths of the people in such category
1t is rather its immoderate use aud its
abuse that l would deprecate. ..The
sweetest honey is loathsome in its own
deliciousness" when taken to excess
There are, however, some Of the sweets
OF life upon which the appetite but sell
dom or never clogs and whose uses are
u benefit and source of happiness. Blu.
with regard to the use of Intoxicating
drinks, its deplorable effects are often
such that the best plan is to "touch not,
taste not, handle not and you are safe -
hope soon again To hear from my es-
teemed compeers on this subject. Hav.
ing entered the arena a. the advocates
of temperance, trust they will not de-
sist from their efforts in so Just and
meritorious n cause until the fruits oi
their labors shall be clothed with tn.
emblem of success and made
"visihle In beauty that shalt glow
in everlasting frcshness uaappioaehed by NOR
tai vision,
But on the stream Of time from age to age
Casting bright images of hcavealy youth"