FACTS AND ARGUMENTS, DEMONSTRATING THAT THE COMMON USE OF SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS IS UNNECESSARY AND PERNICIOUS, AND MAY BE LIMITED AND REGULATED BY THE GOVERNMENT, WITHOUT INFRINGING RATIONAL LIB ERTY AND THE RELATIVE RIGHTS OF MAN.

THE

HE following Report of the Moral Society of Portland is a correct miniature of the blackest cloud, probably, that now desolates and threatens ultimate destruction to the only political family on the Globe, which assumes the pre-eminent rank of being enlightened, virtuous and free; and corroborates perfectly a sentiment which I advanced in my essay* of the 28th Nov. 1815, that intemperance produces greater havoc on life, property, &c. &c. in the United States, than would result from perpetual war, and that its habitual votaries are virtually, public robbers.

"From a report of an association in Portland, called the Moral Society, it appears that out of 85 persons subject to the public charity in that place, 71 had become so from their intemperance, and that out of 118 supplied at their own houses by the town, more than half are of that description. The expences of the town in its charities exceed 6000 dollars, and more than two thirds of that sum went to support such persons as were made poor by their vices. Of consequence, 7000 persons are taxed 4000 dollars for the vices of their neighbors. From these well known facts the report proceeds to calculate almost half a million of dollars paid in the same way in this state only, and if in the same proportion in the United States, the whole amount must be millions. We all inquire what can be done. We cannot take away personal liberty. We cannot prohibit spirituous liquors. We cannot punish persons not convicted of any breach of the laws. We cannot distinguish in the business of life, because the rich are sometimes as blame-worthy as their less wealthy neighbors.We can say that when any persons are committed to the public charity, they shall be properly guarded against temptations. That their habits shall be considered, and all restraints which can consist with health, shall be laid. We might hope that some laws of education and life might obtain. But as no love of fame, no great talents, or public. See page 15 & 17.

trusts, can be said to have been sufficient to prevent men and nations from the guilt and the shame of intemperance, we have a right in the administration of charity, to regard not only the health and hopes of the sufferers, but the safety and the economy of civil society."

What is liberty? Does it give one man the, privilege of wresting from another, directly, or indirectly, the hardearned products of his toil and prudence? Is there any difference whether my neighbor picks my pocket or places his weeping, starving, freezing innocent wife and children, where I must either see them perish, or empty my pocket myself to relieve them? Yes:-an indiscribable difference. The latter act, though not deemed so criminal in law, perhaps is more so in fact, and certainly involves an hundred fold more pernicious consequences. "We all inquire what can be done?" Our Legislators are probably afraid to attack the hydra monster, lest they should be discomfited by a popular volcanic or whiskey explosion.-Of course it would be vain to seek a remedy from this quarter, in the outset. The subjects of Great Britain have triumphantly asserted that their remonstrances in behalf of an abused foreign nation (Africa) have been listened to by their political masters, and obeyed. Is it not very probable that the general will of the free citizens of the United States, expressed by public meetings and memorials, would be honored with similar respect by their political agents or servants? And is it the general will that vice should prevail against the repose and happiness of society, and the equal rights of man?-I do not believe it is. Let the public sentiment be called forth and concentrated. Let every inhabitant of the United States, of whatever age or sex that can speak, say yea, or nay.

One of the principal funnels to the insatiable vortex of intemperance is the generally prevailing popular error, that the temperate use of ardent spirits is innocent and even healthful and necessary. I was chilled with surprise to hear several of the chosen guardians of our national welfare, standing in their places, in the House of Representatives, proclaim their sentiments that "distilled spirits had become one of the necessaries of life, that the farmer could not do without it in his agricultural labors, and that to impose hea

vy taxes on it would be oppressive to industry."* But I was much gratified however, to see that a majority, (though a very small one) were of a different opinion. It was strongly urged by one gentleman that whiskey is an important article of manufacture; that it adds to the wealth of this nation, and ought to be encouraged by our government.The eye that cannot perceive that the reverse is the fact, must be both morally and politically blind. For a community to permit or encourage the importation or manufacture of distilled spirits, for the sake of the revenue derived therefrom, is precisely the same policy as it would be to institute premiums for the construction of daggers to stab its own vitals with.

It is gratifying and encouraging to see the several agricultural societies, commence their labors, with a bold attack upon this noxious deep-rooted weed.

The following extract from the anniversary address of J. Le Ray de Chaumont, Esq. President of the Jefferson county Agricultural Society, shows that like Seneca, he is not prevented from being a philosopher and a philanthropist, by an immense fortune.

"Gentlemen of the Society:

"I do not know a more laudable end our society could have in view than that of preventing the use of ardent spirits. I wish I could without tiring the patience of my audience, represent here all their pernicious effects upon the human mind and body. Poverty and ruin, crimes and infamy, diseases and death, would be found the leading fea. tures in this woeful detail.

"Every reflecting man is sensible of the infinite advantages which would result in favor of humanity and of morality, if some efficient plan were devised for preventing the too general use of spirituous liquors. To those who believe, that they increase the strength, and fortify the body against fatigue and hardship, I would oppose the opinion

"Let it not be said ardent spirits have become necessary from habit in harvest, and in other seasons of uncommon and hard labor. The habit is a bad one, and may be easily broken.. Let but half a do zen farmers combine in a neighborhood to allow higher wages to their laborers, &c."-Dr. RUSH. The farmers in one of the counties of Pensylvania have lately adopted public resolutions to suppress the use of distilled spirits amongst their laborers, at all seasons

of many observing and experienced men, particularly the celebrated General MOREAU, who asserts, that from long experience in his army, he has found, that those soldiers who abstained entirely from the use of ardent spirits, and used altogether water, beer, or such simple drinks, were not only more healthy, but much stronger, could endure greater fatigue, were much more moral; more obedient to orders; and in a word, much better soldiers. If, then, spirituous liquors are really so injurious to the health and morals of men, what reason can be alledged for continuing the use of them, and who will be their advocate ?"

It is surprising that the Government of our Republic, should annoy the army with a more pitiless enemy than any human foe of the civilized world, by constituting whiskey an article of daily sustenance to the soldiers.

The following extract from the address delivered recently at the meeting for organizing an agricultural society in the county of Saratoga, by Doct. Billy J. Clark, contains several moral and political truths, which deserve the serious consideration of every American citizen.

"For us as Americans, who boast the republican simplicity of our habits and our manners, there is in the catalogue of our expenses, a number of items, that require the bold and decisive use of the amputating knife: Amongst these, are the extravagant and almost daily use of many luxuries, the epidemic mania of following the fashions of the day, through all their various changes, and those too, so plausibly imposed on us, as the latest importations from the nurseries and hot-beds of monarchy and dissipation.

"The occasional and habitual use of ardent spirits, the unnecessary use of which costs the inhabitants of this county several thousand dollars in a year, imperiously calls for immediate retrenchment. The train of evils that grow out of its habitual use, are too well known to require a description from me at this time.

"The laborer's plea of necessity, the plea of the man of business and of pleasure; of innocence, in its temperate indulgence, are equally futile, and unfounded in truth.

"Let us then reflect on the dire consequences that have resulted to individuals, to families, and to communities, and those of us at least, who can boast exemption from

the iron grasp of habitual tyranny, from the organization of this society, firmly resolve to abandon its use, not only from a regard to our own individual benefit, but from a consideration of the advantages that our children will derive from our example."

The following extract of a report of one of the Massachusetts Societies for the suppression of intemperance and other vices, is inserted here, in the hope that their honorable example may be imitated as far as it may circulate, by every agricultural and moral society, and farmer, or manufac

turer.

"To abolish the custom of giving stated potations of ardent spirits to hired laborers, which has been a prolific source of intemperate habits, the members of this associa tion have agreed not to furnish to the men, they employ, a daily allowance of spirit; nor to give it, except in cases of particular necessity. We have the pleasure to state that no difficulty, to our knowledge, has arisen, on this account, in procuring faithful laborers. Some, who are not members of the society, have adopted the same rule; and there is good reason to believe, that the pernicious custom is gradually wearing away, and will eventually become entirely obsolete."

"When the

Extract from Darwin's Zoonomia Sec. 30. expediency of laying a further tax on the distillation of spirituous liquors from grain was canvassed before the House of Commons some years ago, it was said of the distillers, with great truth, "they take the BREAD from the people and convert it into POISON!" Yet is this manufactory of disease permitted to continue, as appears by its paying into the treasury above L. 900,000,* near a million of money annually. And thus, under the names of Rum, Brandy, Gin, Whiskey, usquebaugh, wine, cyder, beer, and porter, alcohol is become the bane of the Christian world, as opium of the Mahometan.

"I shall conclude this section on the diseases of the liver induced by spirituous liquors, with the well known story of Prometheus, which seems indeed to have been invented by physicians in those ancient times, when all things were clothed interoglyphic, or fable. Prometheus was painted About 4,000,000 dollars.