Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-30
What the Liquor Traffic Costs.

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Some years ago there was young man
started in life in the eastern part Of Pennsyl
vania, with an inherited fortune Of 100000.
A part Of this consisted Of splendid farm
of nearly two hundred acres Of fine, valuable
land, with improvements, and buildings con-
structed so admirably arranged as to make
IL q most sumptuous residence for any one
Of ordinary ambition and aspirations. The
soil was very productive, and there was
abundance of choice fruit and flowers, 30
as to make IL in every way desirable, both
for pleasure and profit. In short, this farm
was q fortune in itself. ta
But this young man had, in connection
with his fortune, received thorough and
finished education. He was graduate Of
one Of the first colleges in the country, and
had been vastly improved by journey TO
Europe, and the advantages he derived from
the refined and polished circles he was in
troduced TO there. Besides this, his natural
endowments were Of the choicest kind. AS
a speaker and a writer he had few superiors,
and in his intercourse with those around
him he was always recognized as a most
courteous and finished gentleman. He was
kind and charitable in all things, and the
poo of his neighborhood always found in
him a warm and reliable friend. He gave
literally Of his abundance for their support,
and, it is needless TO add, was a universal
favorite with all men.
A more attractive and promising COM
mencement could not well have been made
by any man, and had he continued as he
commenced he would have lived a life OF
usefulness and prosperity, and been honored
and beloved by all who knew him. But he
commenced the habitual use of Intoxicating
liquors. He started as a moderate drinker,
Of course, and the habit grew on him, and
in a few years he became confirmed drunk
ard. After this his associations changed.
He avoided genteel society, and finally be-
came q lounger in the low taverns and grog-
shops. irresponsible men and designing
sharpers took advantage of his constitutional
kindness of heart, borrowed his money and
| never paid it back, and in few more years
he found it all gone, and the farm he SO
much priced was mortgaged to supply means
for the qualification Of his appetite. This
mortgage was foreclosed, the property sold
at sacrifice, and he became poor. When
all his available means were exhausted, he
had not even roof TO shelter him, and he
finally died the death of suicide.
This is but one case out Of hundred that
might be mentioned, and yet the manu-
facture and sale Of intoxicating liquor is
sanctioned by law, andis enrolled in the cata
logue as respectable and honest business
We have noticed in our experience thai
among the vast multitude of drunken ant
degraded men--who neglect their families
leave their wives and little children to suffel
in their wretched homes, without clothing
without food, and without any of the com
forts of life whatever, and who spend ever
| hanr otaa1 10 arat;fp hai
appetite for strong drink-at least three
fourths of them were at one time in easy i
not afluent circumstances, and commenced
prosperity. A large percentage of them wer
well educated and more than ordinarily in
telligent, and left their homes with moth
er's prayers for their future welfare. Bn
they fell victims to the destinations Of tn
dram-shop and the fashionable restaurant
and finally went down into the terribl
whirlpool of dissipation which has carrie'
80 many of our promising young men to tn
shame and infamy of drunkard's life, an,
the disgrace and reproach Of drunkard'
grave. And yet our legislatures autboriz
and our courts license men, almost every
where throughout the Union, to engage il
the traffic that brings about this terrible re
suit What, if anything, can be done t
avoid it2 Is there no remedy whatever
Is " the arm of the Lord shortened, that
cannot save" and chs ear heavy, that h
cannot hear ?" The prayers of earnes
Christians have assembled to the throne G
the heavenly grace the tears and suffering
of women and children have mingled wit
those prayers yet still the curse continue
to overshadow the land Let us continue !
earnest prayer and supplication to God tha
the hour of our delivery may be near at han'