The New Hampshire Gazette

For the N. H. Gazette.

INTEMPERANCE.

It is obvious that this tremendous scourge of our country is awakening the deep interest which it demands. The pulpit, the press, and every moral engine in society are engaging with energy in the cause: and stronger and better efforts than have yet been made, are using to stay the plague. Yet there are many who doubt the possibility of any degree of success; many who, while they mourn the evil as deeply as any one, look with a hopeless despondency upon its dreadful increase; while others with a selfish indifference, will not even inquire if any thing can be done. Will such persons as these continue to stand aloof, when so favorable a moment for another, and an united effort seems to have arrived?

Every human attempt to accomplish a great object must be imperfect. Experience alone can point out our errors and the way to rectify them. Past efforts to suppress intemperance have been in a great measure abortive, but cannot the causes of failure be discovered and hereafter avoided? If the destroyer cannot be dislodged from the strong holds of which he has obtained possession already, may he not be hedged in, and his contaminating breath be confined to a narrower circle? If we cannot rescue the drunkard, may we not prevent the approach of the unwary and the self-confident to that fatal bourn whence so few return? If intemperance cannot be suppressed, may not something be done to promote temperance? Will the friends of society quit the field, because one struggle has not overcome the foe? Will any one say, that he may be indifferent, that the contest concerns not him? Is any one so insulated in society, that the pestilence can contaminate no spring from which he derives any portion of his happiness?

It is not intended here to suggest any new plan of effecting this unspeakably desirable object;—but only to ask, if in this town nothing can be done to co-operate with those in other parts of our country, who are putting forth their wisdom and their strength to this labor. Surely, the calls upon this community to arouse and do its duty upon this subject are loud and startling. Will not our public spirited men, men of weight of character, and of influence in society, come forward and take a lead in devising and carrying into effect measures to stay the progress of this deadly evil? These are questions which deserve an answer—and if fully examined, there can be little doubt that the answer will be, something can be done, and something must be done.

F. W.