Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1879-03-20

Auo ptdCt.
Its glorious advantages to us
whether it be as members of the So
cial circle or citizens of the state and
country cannot be over-estimated |;
and especially so when put in con-
trast with the horrible situation in
which we would he placed were the
remorseless demon of intemperance
permitted, uninterruptedly, to hold
high carnival throughout the land
desolating the peaceful scenes of
happy firesides, dishonoring good
name, destroying wealth, blighting
the fondest hopes with its pittiless
curse, and enshrouding the land in a
darkness and gloom which would be
pandemonium indeed. Since we
have reviewed the simplicity, the eff
ficacy and the advantages of temper
ance, let us now consider the extent
of the vice of ntemperance-the real
nature Of the eyil-its only sure and
certain cure. . ~
When We turn to contemplate the
height and depth, the measurement
and extent of this stupendous evil,
we realize the emptiness Of words,
the poverty of figures and the ineffi-
tiency of metaphors. 1t has become
so deeply engrafted within the base
and hidden passions Of human ma
ture, has lurked for so many CEN
turies all along the pathway of man,
to poison virtue and instigate crime,
has formed for so many ages the in
tegral part in all that 10 vile and hell
born, that we shudder at its enor-
nifty, its seductive power and its sad
results Of human wretchedness and
woe.
Intemperance is first an allurement,
next mastery and lastly tyrannica
and remorseiess demon. 1t leads its
victim downward IRON the throne te
the squallid cell of the wretched Grim
inal, and all along the course of is
dark descent these are the fiends O
hell, with giant arrns, to snatch ths
poor helpless victim and drag him Il
still lowering depths. The descen
is gradual. EsR
"We are not worse at once,
The course of evil begins so;
slowly and from such slight
Source that an infants hand
a1is Int stop the breach witt, clay,
But let the stream grow wider,
Aud philosophy age and religion, tos
May strive IN vain to stem the head
| long CURRENT
The old Greek imagination hit up
on frightfu1 truth when it surround
ed the Car OF Bacchus with half-hu
man satyrs. and raving Meanads.
i Alas how fearful aud horrible
reality is tiiis to-davi How man,
thousands are imlnoiating themselye
before this same pittiiess God
"Drinking from Circe's charmed cup
Losing upright shape
And downward falling
Into groyeling swine"
/ No tongue can utter, ne inagina
onceive, no calculus measur,
mensity of this, national curs'
.tional calamity. Js Il
ould require the vision OF tn
of Record--if they can gaz,
ith eyes blinded by such tear,
.es weep--to tell OF those mise
I millions for centuries i.
sit were, from chamber t,
r of the prophets vision o
alton to mark the crime II
ortn, the disease in every rs
sat can make disease horribl,
been caused by the corruptet
this tree Of the knowledge o
He alone, whose care are opel
ions roar AMI the ravens CRY
5ch the numbefless accents %
.-.-,.-x,.-u III Of -incurable anguish ant
nocona NM aollable despair, which ha.
] treAn,als upward for generations, I'll
the blde vault of heaven has becom,
s.one vast whispering gallery Il
prolong and reverberate the groan
Of those who have slain their own
peace by this voluntary einpoison
ment.
/, He alone, BY whom the hairs Of ou
head are numbered. can count TIL
NE44 I'll I'm. NS